Framing Art Complements Your Home Decor

Framing art is a good way to help preserve the life of prints, photographic images and watercolors, and to help prevent dust and dirt from settling. The right mat board and frame for your artwork is almost as important as the piece itself.

It can also complement your decor and enhance the overall look, making it a perfect accessory for any room. The frame, mat and glass can showcase the artwork, as well as isolate it from the surrounding environment.

Try to avoid choosing a frame that is close to the same color or tone of the wall where it will be hung when you are framing art. On a pastel colored wall you may want to consider a darker frame color and make the mat board a lighter color to bring the two colors together. If your wall is white, then you should stay away from white or pastel colored frames.

The style of your home definitely makes a difference when you are framing art; for instance, an intricately carved frame would look somewhat out of place in a contemporary or modern home. That type of frame would fit in best with a more Victorian style, whereas a simple and minimalist style would look better in the contemporary home.

The mat board is used to draw the viewer's eyes to the picture, not to overwhelm it, so neutral colors usually work the best for mats because they tend to enhance other colors within the picture.

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Highlight Your Art With Custom Picture Framing

Not every picture, print or painting comes in what is considered a standard size, so trying to find a mat board and frame to fit them can be frustrating. Perhaps you should look into custom picture framing as a good alternative to having to crop your picture or art work.

This also provides you with greater flexibility in how you showcase your print or painting, as the frame accommodates the sizing needs of your art instead of the other way around. There are even kits available to those who want custom framing but also want to do the work themselves. They typically have detailed instructions and also offer suggestions for the best way to complete the project.

There are several different components that are used in custom picture framing, including the moulding that is the actual metal or wood frame itself, the mat which adds visual impact and the mounting board that lends support to the back of the frame. Typically, glass or acrylic is used as a transparent protective coating known as glazing.

You can use a mat in several different ways to create different effects that will enhance both the frame and the artwork when you use custom picture framing.

For example, try using two mats cut in different sizes in contrasting colors that will highlight different colors in the painting or photograph. Don't be afraid to experiment with different sizes, colors and textures, as all of this will add visual impact to the art.

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Proper Framing Tools For Your Photos

Framing your own pictures, photos and artwork can be quite fun and less expensive than having a custom picture frame made. It is fairly easy to do if you have a good set of instructions and the proper framing tools to complete the job. Usually the first step given is how to best cut a mat board, as it is sometimes believed that having a mat is the first step in art picture framing.

First you need to find out the amount of frame moulding you are going to need. You do this by measuring the mat and the artwork and then add another 3 mm (0.118110") so that the picture will easily fit into the finished frame.

Along with your other framing tools you will need to include a mitre cutter, as the 45 degree angle cut needed for the frame is one of the most important steps in making a frame.

You will need to be sure you have clamps along with the rest of your framing tools, as clamping the frame tightly is important for good joining. It is best to use clamps that let you see all four corners at the same time, thus making alignment easier.

Another piece of framing equipment that will come in handy is a pushmaster. It is used to insert V nails, which is how most of the wooden frames are joined together. You can push them in by hand but it is much easier to use a hammer or mallet to tap in the nails.

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Displaying With A Digital Picture Slideshow

All technological advances aside, it seems that the best way to help preserve memories is still through photographs. Of course, technology has helped in that area because you no longer have to finish off a roll of film and then drop it by the photo mart and wait for them to be developed.

The modern answer to taking pictures and preserving memories is the digital picture, as you are able to see the results instantly and if you are not happy with any images, then you can just delete them and take others.

To help photos be more interesting and stimulating, digital picture photographers suggest looking through the viewfinder and dividing the image into three parts, both vertically and horizontally. Then instead of concentrating on the center, as with most pictures, focus on just one of the intersections for a great picture from a different perspective.

A good way to get those excellent images for a digital picture slideshow that you can proudly display in your LCD digital picture frame or by printing and displaying in a wood picture frame montage, is by keeping the pictures simple; remember that less is more.

Another common mistake is standing too far away from your subject. It is estimated that over 90% of pictures taken by amateurs are taken while standing too far away from the subject. Just move in closer and make sure that the image fills the entire visor.

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Displaying Your Digital Images With Digital Picture Frames

Just in case you are not up on the latest advancements in technology, digital picture frames are simply LCD panels similar to those on flat screen monitors, but they have been shrunk down and put together into digital frames. If you want to include some memory and customized software, then you will be able to display those pictures with sound included as well.

If you have a hard time visualizing how big the digital picture frames would be, then a rough comparison would be a 7" digital frame will give you a screen size of about 4" x 6" and an 8" frame is about the same size of a 5"x 7" photo.

With such a large variety of digital picture frames available you want to be sure you choose the one that is right for you. Or, if it going to be given as a is gift, then be sure to consider the recipient.

If it is a gift for a grandparent, then you probably don't want to get the 1.5" digital frame as it may be difficult for them to see the images. Likewise, if the present is for a frequent business traveler, then you may want to consider something portable like a travel clock with an LCD frame inside of it.

If you want to make the gift more personalized, then you can always load some pictures that you know they would enjoy into it before giving it to them.

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Increase Your Knowledge And Skills To Create Better Digital Photos

Better digital photos are easy to take. All you need, is knowing everything about your equipment and know how to take good images. If you want to avoid images with a half a head, or red eyes, then you need to know how to adjust your digital camera, to prevent these outcomes.

For example, many digital cameras, now have a setting to avoid the red eye in images. So, all you need, is to adjust the setting on your digital camera and the dreaded red eye will disappear from your digital images.

Modern digital cameras, have so many options to help improve your digital photos. For example, professional photographers, avoid the red eye by taking the flash head off the camera.

Sometimes, you may decide that some images that have a little blur, are more interesting than the ones with sharp focus. With auto focus, you should not have problems with blurry images, but if you set up the camera so that you get some blur, then it may meet your expectations. For example, you may want to include blur to indicate movement. If you are taking an image of a moving car, then a little blur will indicate a car in motion.

Always remember, before you press the big button to capture the image, you need to ensure what you see in the viewfinder, is what you want in your final image. Now you know, how you can start creating better digital photos.

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Improving Your Photography With Photo Tips

Photo tips help you improve your photography. They can open your eyes to the many possibilities of photography and using these tips will let you experiment. For example, you can create images with animals and birds, using long lenses and camouflage equipment. To shoot these images, you do not have to travel to exotic locations, you can shoot many of these images in your yard, in a local park or in a wildlife sanctuary.

If you like creating portraits, you can set up a small portrait studio at home, or rent a studio to shoot your portraits. You can even go on location and shoot portraits outside.

You may decide after a period of time, that you may like to sell some of your images or take up projects where you are paid for your work, then you can use some of the images you created while you were experimenting with these photo tips, to create a portfolio of your best images to attract new clients.

Here are some tips you can use:

Shooting Silhouettes

Silhouettes usually have a small range of colours, but can produce some of the most beautiful images. Shooting a silhouette involves having the background brighter then the subject in the foreground.

Creating Amazing Images By Experimenting With Patterns

We've all seen those amazing images of the red and orange leaves of maple trees in the fall/autumn. Thousands of leaves - all of a similar shape and colour - but very awe-inspiring and beautiful.

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The Complexities Of Bird Photography

Bird photography is a very interesting area of photography, but it can be quite complex where certain requirements, like camouflage, patience and long lens are required to take those fantastic images of birds.

You can take images of birds in your backyard, feeding from your bird feeder. Another option is to walk around areas with trees, where birds are likely to congregate and have a look around to see signs of bird life.

When conditions are right, you can take out your camera, hide behind or inside bushes, so that the birds cannot see you and feel threatened by your presence.

If the birds are comfortable, then you can take many interesting images of birds, including images of birds feeding on the ground, in flight, feeding chicks and interactions with other birds in the area.

Now, when thinking of ideas for taking images of birds, you can think about birds in flight, like a hummingbird about to feed on some delicious liquid you placed on the hummingbird feeder in your yard.

This can be one of many opportunities to take fantastic images of birds, and improve your collection of images for bird photography.

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Getting The Word Out With High School Graduation Announcements

High school graduation announcements tell your friends and relatives, the day of your graduation has almost arrived. You want everyone to know, you have accomplished this stage of your life and are ready to face the next stage.

In you announcement, you can include information about yourself, your accomplishments, an interesting design with images of yourself as a child to now. You may also include your email address, the location and time of the graduation ceremony.

You may include links to your family website, so people can stay in touch to graduation day. Those who cannot attend your graduation, can watch video clips of your graduation ceremony on your website.

Having a website, will help those who could not attend your graduation, to feel as they are part of the event. Even though some of your friends and relatives may be at work, living in another state or even overseas, they can be kept up to date with your graduation by visiting your website.

Once you graduate, you can show potential employers or even help your college application, with a link to your website. There are so many ways you can get the word out with high school graduation announcements.

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Finding Quality Photos With An Image Search Engine

Image search engine can be used to locate images to complete a website, or finalise that project. You may not have the time to shoot the images you need, but you can often find similar images available with online photo sites and stock photo libraries. Many of these sites, have their own image search engine, to make it easier to locate those images to meet your needs.

The easiest way to locate images online, is with search engines, but you do not know the quality of images you will locate. If you are a member of a membership site, giving access to millions of quality images, then you are in a better position to find the perfect images to finalize your project.

Many of these sites, may have membership fees and fees to use the images, but you may find these reasonable as they help you complete your work and meet those deadlines.

There are millions of images stored by stock libraries online. If you are using the images for professional purposes, then it may be a good idea to become a member of a number of stock libraries, so that you will have ready access to many images.

Once you know the images you need, then have the words ready, to describe the content of those images to enter into an image search engine.

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Creative Ideas For Fathers Day Greeting Cards

Have you noticed how expensive greeting cards have become? A Fathers Day greeting card from an upscale manufacturer that consists of a garish cartoon and a cheesy joke can cost upwards of ten dollars!

When you have several men to purchase Fathers Day cards for, the cost can really add up. However, with just a computer and a little creativity, you can create your own cards that will have a personalized touch. In this article, we've got some great tips for making great cards that look anything but homemade.

First of all, don't stress out about making your Fathers Day greeting card geometrically perfect! The charm of homemade cards is that they are done with love. After all, your dad didn't complain about your chicken scratched cards when you were a kid, did he? If you are looking for ideas, then start by searching the internet.

There are countless web sites, like www.kaboose.com, which offer free card designs that you can personalize and print. For example, the site has standard card designs with marked spaces for personal messages and for inserting digital pictures. If you use old family pictures, snapshots of your kids, or even a funny pet picture, then your cards will become special gifts for Fathers Day themselves.

A personalized Fathers Day greeting card is a lovely way to show your dad how much you appreciate him. Don't worry if it's not a work of art. Your dad is one of a kind, so his card should be unique too.

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