Transparency » Help Me Create

A Frame for this Horse Picture

Todd Smith — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:59:24 +0000

This fun shot of a horse scratching its chin on a post is one of the first images you see when you visit my site. I’d like to pick some frame options for this print. Can you help?

Here’s what I’ve got so far. Let me know what you prefer. If you have other ideas or suggestions for framing or matting, I’d love to hear them.

By the way, I’ve decided to go back to my Monday, Wednesday, Friday routine for blogging.

Frame Style 1: 21 3/4 x 17 inches (55.2 x 43.2 cm)

Canadian Walnut Frame
Premium Luster Photo Paper
Print size: 13 3/4 x 9 inches (34.9 x 22.9 cm)
Price $333

I like the wood frame with a golden walnut finish. The wide frame brings out the color of the horse nicely.

Frame Style 2: 17 3/4 x 13 5/8 inches (45.1 x 34.5 cm)

Metal Frame – Frosted Walnut Finish
Premium Luster Photo Paper
Print size: 11 3/4 x 7 5/8 inches (29.9 x 19.4 cm)
Price $248

This is a less expensive frame because it is a slightly smaller print and it is a metal frame instead of hardwood. I like the thin frame look with lots of matting around the print.

Frame Style 3: 18 3/4 x 14 5/8 inches (47.6 x 37.1 cm)

Gallery Frame – Charter Oak
Premium Luster Photo Paper
Print size: 11 3/4 x 7 5/8 inches (29.8 x 19.4 cm)
Price $290

This narrow, oak frame has a rounded edge and a similar, golden color as the horse. This is the same size print and mat as the previous (metal) frame.

Frame Style 4: 41 3/4 x 31 5/8 inches (106 x 80.3 cm)

Fine Hardwood Frame – Narrow Classic Walnut
Premium Luster Photo Paper
Print size: 29 3/4 x 19 5/8 inches (75.6 x 42.2 cm)
Price $1,047

This is the most expensive version. It is a much larger size and it uses premium hardwood. This might be good for a living room or office space.

Frame Style 5: 25 1/4 x 20 1/2 inches (64.1 x 52.1 cm)

Rustica Frame – Barnwood Brown
Premium Luster Photo Paper
Print size: 13 3/4″ x 9″ inches (34.9 x 22.9 cm)
Price $382

I like the rustic, barn-like look of this frame. It suits the horse perfectly in color and in texture. The image size is the same as the first frame, though the frame is a bit wider.

Let me know what you think. I love getting your suggestions.

You can see these new framed prints (shown above) for sale here. Your suggestions in the comments below will be incorporated into the product page.

Preliminary image selection for next year’s calendar

Todd Smith — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:05:07 +0000

Thank you to everyone who left comments helping me choose the pictures for last year’s photography calendar.

Now it’s time to narrow down the choices…

January

I’m thinking about moving the frozen flowers, which is the most popular image for this month, to March–the right time of year for this image. What do you think? After the ice photo, the two most popular pictures for January are the rows of apple trees in the snow and the lone tree in the snow.

February

The three most popular photos for February are: the ice breakup on Lake Skaha, the hay bales in snow, and the grapes on the vine in snow. What’s your favorite for February?

March

The choices for March are the hillside of poppies and lupines, or the frozen flower buds from January. Both were very popular. Would the ice work here in March? What would you choose?

April

For April, it’s between the ladybug, the clematis and the lilacs, with the ladybug winning so far. Any votes?

May

The daisies are slightly ahead for May, followed by the yellow roses and the crumpled tulip. What’s your preference?

June

It’s between the peacock and the waterfall for June, with the waterfall winning by a body length. Any more input?

July

It was a close race for all of the photos for July. The two leaders turned out to be the apricots and the cherries. I’m also going to save the apricot in the tree. So it’s between these three. What would you like on your wall next summer?

August

The clear winner for August was the fishing scene, but unfortunately I can’t use that one without a model release (and I didn’t think to run over and ask the couple in the picture for one when I took it). After that, the waves crashing and the horse picture are the closest seconds. Do you have a preference?

September

The grapes picture was way out in front for September. After that was the apples in bins, and then tied for third was the green apple and the milkweed pod. Any last words?

October

This turned out to be the hardest month. They are all in a dead heat. Can you pick a winner? I’m leaning towards the first one because it worked well on the cover I did a few weeks ago.

November

The ice crystals image is the clear winner for November. If you have other suggestions from January or February, let me know. I might use the old sunflower from January here, or the grapes in snow from February.

December

December’s favorite was by far the pinecones, the next contestant was the snowy village. What’s your opinion? We could also use extra images from Jan or Feb.

Leave your comments below… we’re coming down the home stretch now!

I’m currently in Astoria, Oregon, on my way down the Pacific Coast. Lots of rain the last few days, but I saw the sun this evening! Photography and camping in the rain is challenging, but there were some good shots nonetheless. Photos will show up here over the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

Can you help me choose the pictures for next year’s calendar?

Todd Smith — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:29:00 +0000

The time has come to create a wall calendar for next year. Can you help me choose the pictures?

Last year I was too ambitious when I created four calendars that never went to press. This year let’s just make one, with the best pictures we can find.

I’d love your input on the picture choices… I’ve chosen a few pictures for each month below (some are landscapes, some are flowers… it’s a bit of a mix this year).

Maybe we’ll call it a “Landscapes and Flowers” calendar. There is fruit in there too. Maybe we’ll call it an “Outdoors” calendar, or a “Nature” calendar. If you have any thoughts on this, I’d love to hear them.

Thanks to your input on my survey over the last few months. The winner for calendar size is 12 x 12. This makes sense, as it is the most common calendar size out there. The pictures for the calendar below are cropped to a square aspect ratio so they will fit on a 12×12 calendar.

If you had to choose one picture for each month from the list below, what would it be?

Please tell me your favorites in the comment section below. If you want your favorites to make the cut for next year’s calendar be sure to leave a comment to let me know.

Oh, by the way, this year’s calendar will be printed on recycled paper!

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Whew! That’s a lot of pictures. If there are any in particular that you would really like to see in next year’s calendar let me know in the comments below…

Speak up now so your favorites don’t get cut!

What frame do you like on this print for a bathroom wall?

Todd Smith — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:03:47 +0000

What kind of photos do you put in a bathroom? Here’s one you might not have considered…

From the Oliver Brake and Muffler series, this sink will make yours look spotless!

What frame do you like best? Do you have any suggestions not seen here?

I love the contrast between a somewhat fancy frame, with a large clean mat, and the dirty sink in the image.

The next frame draws me into the image more. I like the simplicity of the frame and the way that the metal picks-up some of the lighter tones in the wall.

The next one seems so country. I like how its style suits the subject.

The black of the next frame makes me feel like I’m walking through it. I also like how the edge highlights the lighter colors in the wall and sink.

This last frame below is a classic, gallery frame (this frame and the very first one above are larger size – about 17 – 20 inches or 43 – 50 cm). The middle frames are quite small (like about 1 foot in length, around 29 cm). Again, I like the large white area. The simple black frame is completely neutral. I threw in a black edge on the mat, what do you think?

What size screen savers do you need?

Todd Smith — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:26:36 +0000

I’m in the process of redoing my website and the question comes up today: What size screen savers should I offer?

Currently the size I include in my newsletters is 1440 x 960 px. I’m considering offering different sizes, if it is helpful to you.

My computer (mac) will automatically adjust the size of my screen savers to fit the screen. There is no issue about size, as long as the picture is not too small (which could cause pixelation).

How about you? Do you need a specific size screen saver or does your computer adjust things automatically for you?

I’m not so familiar with Windows. If you’re on Windows, let me know how it works for you. I want the screen savers from my website to be as valuable as possible for you.