Template for Image Style

[LennyBloke]

I'm trying to develop a look/style for some of my photography, and I'm always been taken by how effective (to my eyes) some shots with borders can be. Bwlchmawr, for example, enhances his excellent images with a very simple border. Peter Jonkman (Asahiflex) over on the US forum, uses a larger border and adds info (i.e. lens and his name) underneath. I know that not everybody is a fan of borders, and I know that not every photo would suit one - but after a lot of experimentation I think this is pretty close to what I would use (I'd also use a White border with Dark Grey letters for certain images that suited it better).



Thoughts, comments, abuse, etc. welcome

[McGregNi]

I'm afraid I'm not seeing any positives with that .... Perhaps for a wall print or postcard it would work, but here on the web I find that the border keeps sucking at my attention all around the peripheries, and I can't keep focus easily on the image content.

Remember that for any electronic display there is already a natural border in the case edges of the device.

[Steve.Ledger]

I agree with Nigel, it's not working for me either. I'm actually not a fan of image borders in any form, especially on the web.
As to the photo, I'm fining there's too much sky for my liking, I can't actually figure out what the photographer (you) wants my attention drawn to?

[aliengrove]

I really don't see the point of putting the lens used on the frame. Personally I don't like borders with any writing on them.

[McGregNi]

I do like the text font and toning .... If you want that info perhaps a light transparent bar at the bottom with the writing would work.

[Steve G.]

I'm afraid I'm not seeing any positives with that .... Perhaps for a wall print or postcard it would work, but here on the web I find that the border keeps sucking at my attention all around the peripheries, and I can't keep focus easily on the image content.

Have to say that I go along with the sage words of Nigel for this but it is as ever up to the individual.

[LennyBloke]

So the voting is for the "Nays" so far I'm not surprised as I've had similar responses with basic black borders in the past

Here's the "non-framed" version for comparision...



...and the framed again (just so you can do the quick comparison....

[Chris]

Mm. Another 'frames bad' vote from me for web images.

I think the way this forum is set up to give a dark background that takes virtually the whole monitor is a far better way of framing most pictures than any actual frame round the image.

And although the EXIF data is far better than most captions I see, I prefer no captions at all. If you want to let people see the EXIF, save the image without stripping it out, and let people use a browser plug in that shows the data.

I like the picture, though the clouds are a bit strange. Are they as shot?

[Steve G.]

As regards the picture, I like the clouds OR the rocky "islands" but they don't work together for me.

[Smeggypants]

I've never liked borders. If they must be there a simple one like as used by the unpronounceable ( ) Bwlchmawr isn't too unpleasant. Borders with multiple nested alternate black and white rectangles are awful IMO.

[LennyBloke]

I'm surprised nobody liked it - I thought one or two might have been in favour

The image was processed in Silver Efex Pro 2 but there was no manipulation or specific effects - the original also shows the same cloud look

I'll refrain from bordering on here in the future, but as a parting gesture from this thread here's a couple of other attempts......





Thanks for your views

[Derek897]

I have been guilty of using borders in the past, as such i have no problem with yours.
I like the idea of the txt and info, but in its current format i find it distracting.
I stopped using them as i got fed up reading "nice shot, shame about the border"

Nice shots by the way (with or without the border)

Derek

[Gravelrash]

If you wanted consensus approval it looks like it's dead in the water but I like it...as a portfolio presentation style.

It's used a lot in these supermarket posters you can buy for the wall, so I presume it to be popular amongst the buying public.

I like the font, very Art Nouveau, what is it?

[LennyBloke]

Thanks again for all the comments guys - I do like the honesty over here

If you wanted consensus approval it looks like it's dead in the water but I like it...as a portfolio presentation style.

It's used a lot in these supermarket posters you can buy for the wall, so I presume it to be popular amongst the buying public.

I like the font, very Art Nouveau, what is it?

Cheers - I don't feel quite as much of an outcast now

It's a font within LightRoom called AR BONNIE