Canvas 'wraps' - opinions on not wrapping completely?
Discussion
In the process of picking some photos to get printed onto canvas by Tim @ fluidimages, I've discovered that, as the images are at the moment, the 'wrapping' process will take some of the impact away from the face-on image as some content that 'frames' the picture nicely (side on #1, bottom on #2) will be mostly lost around the edges.
Tim's been very helpful and provided canvas sizes so I can do some calculations, but I wanted people's opinions on whether one idea is worthwhile or not:-
- create a border around the photo in PS. Then when it's printed the border will cover the 'wrap' at the rear of the frame, but probably also some (hopefully <50%) of the 'wrap' at the side of the frame, so creating a neutral-coloured 'blank' at the back of the wrapped-sides, a bit like the "portrait edged" RH photo half-way down this link:-
http://www.jlsframing.co.uk/news.htm
The alternative, for comparison, is a conventional 'non-wrapped' print which is then put in a traditional frame. Unless anyone has any better ideas?
The two images, so people can see what I mean, are:-
Tim's been very helpful and provided canvas sizes so I can do some calculations, but I wanted people's opinions on whether one idea is worthwhile or not:-
- create a border around the photo in PS. Then when it's printed the border will cover the 'wrap' at the rear of the frame, but probably also some (hopefully <50%) of the 'wrap' at the side of the frame, so creating a neutral-coloured 'blank' at the back of the wrapped-sides, a bit like the "portrait edged" RH photo half-way down this link:-
http://www.jlsframing.co.uk/news.htm
The alternative, for comparison, is a conventional 'non-wrapped' print which is then put in a traditional frame. Unless anyone has any better ideas?
The two images, so people can see what I mean, are:-
Edited by havoc on Wednesday 22 July 13:10
similar to the portrait edge, I thought the normal approach was to create the border in PS and to effectively use a mix of cloning and 'stretching' to create a false extension to your image. Looking at the shots you posted, particuarly the sunset one, I would have thought you could create a new edge with the trees cloned/stretched round the sides and almost a copy paste of the sky and beach areas at top and bottom respectively.
Sure Tim would advise better!
Edited to say thegavster a) beat me to it and b) provided a perfect example of what I was trying to describe!
Sure Tim would advise better!
Edited to say thegavster a) beat me to it and b) provided a perfect example of what I was trying to describe!
Edited by cirks on Wednesday 22 July 16:04
havoc said:
PS - forgot to ask about PPI - at 24x16 resolution I'm looking at c.130+ PPI for 3 of the 4 images, but only 92-96 PPI for the fourth image.
Is this too low, even for canvas?
I have a 30x20" canvas print taken with a D70 (6Mp, ie 3000px over 30" = 100ppi). The middle of the image is fine but it does show up lens weaknesses towards the edges. In other words the lens may prove to be the limiting factor, not the ppi, as I can't see separate pixels. Given that canvas breaks up detail and contrast anyway, and that you'll be viewing it from a distance, you'll probably be OK. Just depends how fussy you are really!Is this too low, even for canvas?
Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 22 July 13:36
Simpo Two said:
Just depends how fussy you are really!
Moderately but not anal about it. 
From what you're saying 24x16 will definitely be OK for the 3 off the 40D, and SHOULD be for the 20D pic...
circs / gav - I thought about that, but I just think it'll look 'silly' when viewed from an angle. If I thought my PS and artistry was up to 'extending' the image accurately (certainly to the sides), then I'd do that. But it's not...
So to sum up then, the half-way house won't look quite right, so either:-
- Get a wrap which doesn't wrap at all (IYSWIM); or
- Get a normal print / canvas and frame it?
Or scrap the canvas idea and go for the 'art print' look with big white border and nice typography underneath - eg 'H A V O C G A L L E R Y N E W Y O R K'
Some of my playing about at www.blokewithacamera.co.uk/gallery.htm
Some of my playing about at www.blokewithacamera.co.uk/gallery.htm
Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 22 July 16:41
Could you not have them printed onto foamex board, various thicknesses are available, most digital printersa should be able to accomodate this if Fluidimages can't. I've hade a few images done and it give a real clean borderless finish, which IMO would work very well on the images you've posted above.
Plus it's alot cheaper than canvas.
Plus it's alot cheaper than canvas.
havoc said:
cirks / gav - I thought about that, but I just think it'll look 'silly' when viewed from an angle. If I thought my PS and artistry was up to 'extending' the image accurately (certainly to the sides), then I'd do that. But it's not...
You might say your PS skills aren't up to stretching the sides, but would Tim not do this for you? Based on what I've read on here, he'll assist whereever possible. Unless the frame is particuarly deep, I think it would look fine. The images, particuarly the sunset, is great and the sides of the wrap wouldn't even get noticed - IMHOthegavster said:
You should be able to wrap canvases with the image finishing on the front edge and then white sides, as long as frames are accurate and printer calibrated it's really not that hard. Having several mm going round the sides does look a bit botched TBH.
Otherwise, another trick is to take 5mm of the edge of each image and stretch it down the sides, like this:
Nifty idea Gav, hadn't thought of that.Otherwise, another trick is to take 5mm of the edge of each image and stretch it down the sides, like this:
For mine, I too didn't want to lose the edges so I just whacked a black border on it. It worked well because most of the image was also black, so it looks fine with the image ending at the edge of the frame and the wrap around being black.
I reckon with yours you would need to very carefully select the colour of the border that will wrap around the frame.
Personally I'd say for your photos the stretched image edge technique as above will work perfectly.
I reckon with yours you would need to very carefully select the colour of the border that will wrap around the frame.
Personally I'd say for your photos the stretched image edge technique as above will work perfectly.
Edited by _dobbo_ on Thursday 23 July 10:11
havoc said:
Simpo Two said:
I'm guessing it's Lake Tekapo? I have a photo almost identical 
Whatever gave you that idea?!? )Whitefly Swatter said:
The way my mate does it is to mirror an inch or so on each edge which the wraps around the canvas
Interesting...Dobbo - I might have a play in PS, see if I get something suitable. The top-and-bottom of each pic are easy, it's the sides which need sorting 'properly'.
Simpo - Funnily enough, that shot was taken late in the day after we'd driven up to Mt Cook village and ski-planed onto the Tasman Glacier...we'd just visited the salmon farm after that and were heading down to Wanaka (much underrated town...cool place) - the water was so still I couldn't not take the shot - it'd been breezy earlier!
As for 'emergency stops'...lets just say that my wife virtually stopped talking to me that day!
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