Photo Borders - Industry Standard?

Microwave

Microwave

Microwave

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After seeing many 'professional'/very impressive pictures surrounded by a nice thick white border I've decided a few of my better shots deserve that treatment too - for framing, being displayed etc.


I've been messing around on photoshop trying to find the best style to go for then I wondered...

Is there an 'industry standard' for a photo border? What I'm going for is a thin black line round the photo, then a few cm's thick white border round all of that.


I'm also trying to create all of this into an 'action' so I can use it with batch edit.



Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks! :)
 
I used to have borders on my online images. But I now I personally feel they are better off without them, and look more professional just on their own. Depends on where you are going to show them etc.

For printed images, then yes I would mount and frame them (again, depending on where they are to be displayed). I would normally go with a white mount and black or oak frame. Also try and 'float' the image up in the mount a little as this looks better. You should try and aim for the same amount of mount at the sides and top, with a little more at the bottom.

There is no industry standard though, it is all up to you to decide how to present them to their best. :)
 
You only need a border on printed and framed pictures hanging on a wall on display.


Borders on online photos look horrible, are entirely unnecessary and scream armature.

Show me a professional (i.e., makes a living out of selling photos) photographers website that makes extensive use of borders... ii've yet to find one where I would actually buy a photo from.


Signatures as well. 95% just not needed and are very distracting. Nothing says amature than a horrible signature saying "XYZ Photography" or " (C) XYZ Design".
 
Borders work better on more abstract and minimalistic photos. A 1px stroke between the image and border area can also help the affect, a bit like the motivational posters but less Fisher Price.
 
Thanks for all your comments guys, really helpful.

I'm starting to agree with your points too DP.


How does a simple 1 or 2px black border round the photo work, like Dup suggested?

I just want so kind of 'editing' visible on the picture so people know work has been put in to it. And to also work as a good container/constraint for the picture.
 
My opinion on borders is that when printed I print borderless and if it's a larger print I will then add a physical mount and frame.

On the web I think generally on white or black you don't need a border. But on a coloured background (like the blue here on OcUK) sometimes a border add's a little separation. For example one of my images had blue stones as the predominant background so I added a border. I like border's on some things based on pattern or colour but otherwise a border doesn't do much for me.

On a website, I think images often look best with a shadow. Like for example in lightroom - the grey background and shadow.
 
Personally I use a 20px black or white border with a 1px inside stroke of the opposite colour on the photo itself. It's not huge but just helps frame it simply.
 
p0ss3s3d said:
On the web I think generally on white or black you don't need a border. But on a coloured background (like the blue here on OcUK) sometimes a border add's a little separation.
Click to expand...

Russinating said:
Personally I use a 20px black or white border with a 1px inside stroke of the opposite colour on the photo itself. It's not huge but just helps frame it simply.
Click to expand...

The separation and a simple frame is exactly what I'm trying to achieve. Nothing too much (I've moved away from a thick white frame), just nice and subtle.
 
Messiah Khan said:
You should try and aim for the same amount of mount at the sides and top, with a little more at the bottom.
Click to expand...

Why the extra space at the bottom MK? I'm interested as I'm about to have some images printed so that I can frame them, and I've always thought of having an equal border (or as close to equal as reasonably practicable).
 
Namistai said:
Why the extra space at the bottom MK? I'm interested as I'm about to have some images printed so that I can frame them, and I've always thought of having an equal border (or as close to equal as reasonably practicable).
Click to expand...

Because it produces a more optically balanced image. If you have the same amount all around, the eye/brain makes it feel like it sits low. It doesn't need much, but if you float it up a little, then it produces an overall more balanced and harmonious framing. It also gives more space for the signature to go. It's technically called 'Bottom Weighted Reveal' btw. :)
 
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