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I swear........

June 12, 2008, 10:56:19 PM

...I'm going to put black electrical tape over my viewfinder so that I compose for 8x10. I have soooo many wonderful shots that won't crop to an 8x10 format, and those are all the mats I have. Arghghghghgh.

Tongue

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Comments and Harsh Critiques gladly accepted. My photos are ok to edit.

My photos and art: http://wildmaven.org

jkleb

Reply #1 - June 13, 2008, 05:47:36 AM

I'm in the market for a mat cutter myself for the same reason. I was told about a place locally that sells 4-ply archival mat, $12 a full sheet and will cut into 16x20 for free.

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-John
Sarcasm, frustrating the clueless since 3000 b.c.

Ryan Nutt

Reply #2 - June 13, 2008, 05:56:37 AM

I bought a mat cutter at Hobby Lobby a few months ago for about 100 bucks. Sometime in the next few months I'm wanting to get their bigger one though because this little one is like a ruler that you have to hold down while you slide the cutter. The bigger model is more like a traditional mat cutter where the guide is hinged and stays in place better.

Depending on what camera you use you may be able to get a viewfinder insert that shows you crop lines.

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Ryan

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jkleb

Reply #3 - June 13, 2008, 06:03:53 AM

I've been looking at this one.
http://www.amazon.com/Logan-Graphics-Intermediate-Straight-Cutter/dp/B00009R80W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1213354969&sr=8-1

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-John
Sarcasm, frustrating the clueless since 3000 b.c.

Ryan Nutt

Reply #4 - June 13, 2008, 06:17:03 AM

Mine is close to this one. Same brand, cheaper model. The one you linked to is pretty similar to the one I want.

Be sure when you get it to order extra blades. I usually go through a blade for each mat, although with the better cutter it may not dull as quickly. With my little cheap one I have to use a cutting mat and I think that's what dulls the blades.

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Ryan

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jkleb

Reply #5 - June 13, 2008, 06:48:30 AM

I'd still keep a cutting mat under it. I had a friend show me haw he does his mats using the same cutter, and he still keeps a piece of mat under it because it makes a smoother cut. He also suggested marking the corners of the blades one and two. You can flip the blade and use the other side, but mark them so you don't put a dull side back down.

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-John
Sarcasm, frustrating the clueless since 3000 b.c.

Ginnypenny

Reply #6 - June 13, 2008, 09:11:13 AM

I crop everything 8x10, and I don't offer 4x6's for sale. I find that all the other standard sizes, 5x7, 11x14, 20x30 etc. all crop well from 8x10. My Nikon has the 4x6 viewfinder and it took some practice getting used to leaving a little room on the side. My hsuband got it fairly quickly because I kept yelling at him.
I wish I could work with more custom sizes, but it doesn't serve my client's well and makes it harder to price and sell prints.

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Susie
www.charlesbarnardphotography.com
www.definitionimages.com

jkleb

Reply #7 - June 13, 2008, 11:31:08 AM

Quote

I wish I could work with more custom sizes, but it doesn't serve my client's well and makes it harder to price and sell prints

In the portrait/wedding/senior/etc. business I could see it being a challenge. I doubt most of those clients would want to pay the extra money to have every picture custom matted.

But not in the realm if fine art, you just sell it by the O.D. dimensions of the mat. 8x10,16x20,20x24 and so on. An 8x10 mat may have a 6x6 print, or a 6-3/8x9 or whatever. Many times the print is arranged off center of the mat so it makes this easier. It's just kind of a judgement call.

6x6 print on 8x10 mat example

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-John
Sarcasm, frustrating the clueless since 3000 b.c.

BobEdens

Reply #8 - June 13, 2008, 11:40:47 AM

I cut my own mats, usually to put 8x12 prints in 11x14 mats.

The mat cutter you have jkleb **drags out soap box** Alright I'm tired of calling you by a name I can't pronounce. Please give me a name I can pronounce... **steps off soap box** anyway don't waste your time on a mat cutter that doesn't hold the mat down while you cut it. the one jkleb *twitch* shows is like mine and you do have to hold the bar down but a big spring clamp works well.

Most of the big hobby stores will cut a mat for fifty cents or less a cut, have them cut the longest sides, it'll save a bunch of work.

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-----------------------------------
"I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one heck of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult. "- EB White

Chattanooga Photographer www.BobEdens.com

Ginnypenny

Reply #9 - June 13, 2008, 11:49:26 AM

Fine art - yeah I don't dabble in that much.

I do like designing the digital flushmount wedding albums, the composite pages make it so the size/ratio of the image doesn't matter, you work with what you have. I can be really creative.

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Susie
www.charlesbarnardphotography.com
www.definitionimages.com

wildmaven

Reply #10 - June 13, 2008, 11:58:58 AM

Quote from: jkleb on June 13, 2008, 11:31:08 AM

6x6 print on 8x10 mat example

Yeah, those small images in huge white mats are really popular right now in galleries. Personally, I'm not crazy about them, but that's a personal preference.

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Comments and Harsh Critiques gladly accepted. My photos are ok to edit.

My photos and art: http://wildmaven.org

jkleb

Reply #11 - June 13, 2008, 01:51:39 PM

Quote

those small images in huge white mats are really popular right now

That way when Biff and Muffy buy a print and hang it on their gaudy blue and gold sponge wall it still looks kinda like it did at the gallery.

Quote

Alright I'm tired of calling you by a name I can't pronounce. Please give me a name I can pronounce

How about Vercengetorix, or maybe just shorten it to John.

Quote

Fine art - yeah I don't dabble in that much.

Take a photo of random junk and have a lofty explanation for why you did. Some have made a fortune from that.
Andy Warhol pee'd on things. I honestly wouldn't have thought of that.

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-John
Sarcasm, frustrating the clueless since 3000 b.c.

Ginnypenny

Reply #12 - June 13, 2008, 01:57:16 PM

Quote from: jkleb on June 13, 2008, 01:51:39 PM

Take a photo of random junk and have a lofty explanation for why you did. Some have made a fortune from that.
Andy Warhol pee'd on things. I honestly wouldn't have thought of that.

I guess I should specify - I don't take pictures of things I am not already paid for

I am too busy. I don't mean that to sound the silly way it does. I do portrait/wedding work. I like images for art purposes, that is what I am planning on hanging in my house after I paint (which will no longer be red...). I just don't have much luck selling art, I have better luck selling a service, that's just me and my sales/marketing skill I guess.

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Susie
www.charlesbarnardphotography.com
www.definitionimages.com

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