With digital photo matting, the ability to present photo sequences allows users to view a variety of photos without the need to mount multiple images in a single matte, such as a montage of family photos.  The multi mount matte solution used in conventional frame mounting is not necessary with digital frames, but the option is still available for aesthetic presentations like the one shown here.  This image uses a multiple mount digital matte treatment to highlight a theme of four different varieties of iris blooms.  In the digital matting world, non rectangular mattes require photo cropping, unless the photo is taken in the shape provided, which is not currently offered by digital cameras I have seen.  In this case, the images focus on the flower blooms, so the surrounding areas can be cropped without losing the important content of the images.  As with conventional matting techniques, the more openings required in the matting area, the smaller each image needs to be to fit the end result.  Rectangular multi mounts can contain the entire photo images, but they are still reduced in size to accommodate the matting area.  When digital photos are digitally matted and printed for use in a conventional picture frame, additional outer border area for the matte is needed to make the print fit properly into the visible area of the frame.  We take care of these considerations for you when you tell us that you intend to use a digitally matted photo in a conventional frame.  Since digital frames can still be expensive, you may want to consider the variety of ways you intend to use the pictures you send to us, and let us know this information with your order.  We will work with you to maximize your matting value.

Multi Mount Digital Mattes

Multi image mattes can make nice conventional mounting results.

Here’s a quick and unrelated thought for the day.  For some people, listening to others talk about their college education is a bit like listening to a person brag about the big fish they bought from a fisherman.  Such a person may be able to tell you all about how the fisherman landed the fish, but in the end, it is the fisherman who caught the fish, and pocketed the money for it.  Think about that before you take out your next big student loan.

You might wonder why this thought was included here.  The reason is because it is my blog, and I wanted to express the thought before it got away.

Today’s fantasy post occupied my desktop wallpaper for several days as something to stare at while looking for inspirations.  As visual creatures, we sometimes need an image that is out of the box to encourage us to think outside the box.  This fantasy planet uses a court building in San Antonio and an abstract sky to set the visual mood for the piece.  Stare at this picture for a few hours and see if it inspires you to try something new.

Photo Fantasy

Feel the excitement as new ideas come flooding into your mind.

For this post, I started with a photo of a foot bridge I took along one of my walks, then created a fantasy scene and a matte for the composition.  So far, I have not run out of creations for my photos, and though the focus of this site is digital photo matting, I do not want to provide the same mundane offerings found elsewhere.  The difference between offering generic template mattes and custom work should be obvious to anyone who has visited this site for any amount of time.  My postings will show a wide variety of ways matting techniques can be used to display interesting photo creations, and though the posts might provide you with some inspirations for what you want to do with your photos, we take time to give your pictures the special individual treatment they deserve.  As you browse through the posts, you may find styles, textures, colors, and applications that appeal to you, which can be used as a reference for where we can begin to create the special touches you want.  Getting it right is what we do. 

Photo Fantasy

A fantasy treatment turns an ordinary photo into a work of art.

In this series, I will demonstrate a technique for blending aspects of actual photos with elements of imagination to create something new.  For the first image, I used a grape arbor at a local botanical garden, and mixed it with a color match blend to serve as a background.  The image was then enclosed in a double matte design to highlight the end result.  Come back to see more of these creations in the days ahead.  If you enjoy the site, tell your friends.  If you want to take advantage of our services, we welcome your interest.

Photo Fantasy

Breathe new life into your photos with a fantasy treatment from us.

The abstract in this composition relates to the murky world of the graffiti artist.  In the photo outer matte, are some railroad cars decorated by graffiti art that my wife took in Springfield, MO.  I used a manipulation of the original photo to produce the abstract scene.  Like sculptors of old, I have taken the raw photos and brought out new dimensions from them.  My custom work gives you something that plug in templates cannot provide.  Since every photo is matted according to its own character and colors, you get results that are one of a kind.

Reverse Photo Matting

Photo art makes a nice change up for your digital frame.

The week of demonstrating my reverse matting technique continues with this abstract design matted with the photo from which the work was derived.  In working with my photos and finding different ways to use them, I am surprised by the number of abstract inspirations they provide for me.  Being somewhat focused on the abstract by nature, I enjoy making these blends between the camera’s eye and the mind’s eye  without holding  to either form as sacrosanct.    If you would like to see what abstract inspirations are lurking in your photos, I can try to squeeze some out for you. 

Reverse Photo Matting

I like the mix between abstract and every day in this composition.

Today’s work uses the central theme of flowers in both the photo outer matte, and the central abstract, with the inner matte creating a pleasant transition between the levels.  I think this piece makes a nice addition to my photo collection, and a cheerful highlight to display in my digital frame.  To my knowledge, there are not a lot of other people using this matting approach, so that could be a good thing, or a bad thing.  You decide.

Reverse Photo Matting

This use of flowers creates a fresh and eye catching perspective.

My next offering on the topic of reverse photo matting uses an original photo from a botanical garden scene, and transforms the image into the rendering of a pearl of great price.  In this rendition the outer matte photo provides a contrasting yet complimentary scheme of color for the central theme.  The techniques provide another fresh way to incorporate photos into new design results.  What do you think?

Reverse Photo Matting

Using reverse matte placement provides a new level of focus.

For many of my posts on this site, I have presented a variety of different styles and methods used for photo matting.  I wanted to kick off this month with a technique I call reverse photo matting.  Using this technique, an original photo becomes the backdrop rather than the focus for a piece.  Using an abstraction for the centered focus, I then juxtaposition the photo that was used to create the abstract art into the outer matting.  I guess I am in an abstract mood this month, so I hope you enjoy some of the works I will be putting on display over the next few days. 

Reverse Photo Matting

With reverse matting the abstract is the focus.

Looking around at sites that offer free screen wallpapers to draw traffic to their sites, one thing I have noticed with many of them is a calendar set that gets so small, I need glasses to read the dates.  If that kind of thing is what you are looking for to draw traffic to your site, I can provide some images that put the year in one graphic, and supply a nice photo treatment as well.  This is another way to bring people searching for free stuff to your door, and it will only cost you $3 each to keep them coming back for more.  Enjoy.

Yearly Calendar Images

At 1024 X 768 this design is a bit more readable.

At 1024 X 768 you need good eyes to see the months.