A good photo matting treatment should compliment your photo, and enrich the subject.  Choosing the wrong matte for a photo can confuse the eye and detract from the content of the picture.  Often, a subtle matte works better for a busy photo than one with too much going on.  In this post, the first matting treatment is too busy for the photo, and causes the viewer’s eye to wander away from the picture.  The second matting treatment is better because it allows the photo to draw in the viewer’s attention.  What do you think?

Busy Matte Causes Visual Confusion

The matte on this version is distracting.

Subdued Matte Allows Picture To Shine

Subtle matte enriches photo subject.