Artful ATL Prep Companion Article: Exploring New Presentation Paths
Three weeks out: Pivoting to photo paper prints with traditional gallery framing
"The image is the piece of art for me. A frame dresses it up, gives it a little style. But it's really...about where it's exhibited."
For photographers, the journey from capture to exhibition involves countless decisions that balance artistic vision with practical realities. In the video below, I share the latest evolution in my preparation for Artful ATL on June 7th—specifically, the surprising pivot in how my Vanishing Point collection will be presented.
The Video: Framing Decisions & Layout Challenges
The Timeline Crunch
With just three weeks remaining until Artful ATL, my preparation schedule has reached a critical phase. As I've mentioned previously, I need to reserve the final two weeks for printing, correcting any errors, framing, and installation preparation. This means key about presentation and layout must be finalized within the coming days.
The installation itself will happen before the June 7th event, further compressing my already tight timeline. These practical constraints are now directly influencing artistic decisions about how my Vanishing Point collection will appear on the wall.
A Shift in Presentation Strategy
One of the most significant pieces of feedback from the critique session centered around my presentation approach. If you've followed my Vanishing Point exhibitions, you'll know that only one piece has ever been framed—the very first image that launched the collection, "Cash In Cash Out," which was printed on photo paper and hung in a floating frame. But even that got the LED-enhanced metal treatment for subsequent exhibitions.
My signature style for the became frameless metal prints with LED backlighting that creates:
A floating effect creating separation from any wall
A luminous glow that enhances the atmospheric qualities
A modern, minimalist aesthetic
Based on critique feedback, I'm now exploring a substantial change in both medium and presentation—moving to photo paper prints with traditional gallery framing for this exhibition. Rather than seeing this as a regression, I view it as giving a more traditional presentation a proper exploration. As I mention in the video, "Not going to do it halfway. If I'm going to do it, I'm going to go all in."
The Art vs. The Frame
This shift has prompted deeper reflection on the relationship between artwork and presentation. In the video, I discuss my emphasis on the image, not the medium.
"The image is the piece of art for me. A frame dresses it up, gives it a little style."
This philosophy extends to my approach with books as well, where white space serves as a natural frame that allows the images to stand independently. I recognize that while exhibition framing matters for the gallery context, many collectors may ultimately reframe pieces to match their personal spaces and aesthetics.
The Framing Consultation
My visit with Mirage at Buckhead Framing Company proved particularly valuable. Not only is she a skilled framer, but she's also a fellow artist who will be exhibiting at Artful ATL—providing a shared understanding of the specific context for these pieces.
I brought the same test prints from the critique session to explore options and discuss my vision. She helped clarify both aesthetic and practical considerations, particularly how the framing dimensions will affect my final layout.
The Layout Process
With framing decisions done, my attention turned to the exhibition layout. My methodical approach involves:
Photographing the actual wall space where I'll be exhibiting
Importing that image into Adobe Illustrator
Creating a scaled grid (1 centimeter = 1 inch)
Designing proportionally correct frame mockups for each image
Arranging these elements to optimize the viewing experience
During the process, I had a crucial realization that highlights the value of this exercise: my initial plan for three different print sizes and ten total images simply wouldn't work within the allocated wall space. The larger prints would dominate too much space, making it difficult for viewers to properly experience each piece.
Necessary Adaptations
Based on these layout explorations, I've made two significant adjustments to my exhibition plan:
Reducing from three sizes to two - This ensures better proportional balance across the collection while maintaining visual interest through some size variation.
Decreasing from ten images to nine - This provides more breathing room between pieces, preventing a crowded feeling that would diminish the impact of individual works.
These decisions illustrate how practical constraints often shape artistic presentation. While I initially wanted to include more and larger images, the quality of the viewing experience takes precedence over quantity.
Next Steps
My approach now is to let these layout ideas "simmer and marinate a little bit"—walking away and returning with fresh eyes over the next few days. By early next week, I need to finalize decisions so I can provide specifications to Mirage, receive a quote, and set the production process in motion.
This deliberate reflection period is crucial for making confident decisions that balance aesthetic vision with practical exhibition requirements.
The Continuing Journey
As we approach the June 7th exhibition date, each decision builds upon previous ones to shape the final presentation of my Vanishing Point collection. From image selection to critique feedback to framing and layout, the process continues to evolve in response to both artistic insight and practical realities.
The shift to traditional framing represents not just a technical change but a willingness to experiment with how my work communicates in the gallery context. I'm curious to see how viewers respond to this new presentation approach compared to my previous LED-enhanced metal prints.
What's your perspective on framing photography? Do you prefer traditional frames, minimalist presentations, or something completely different? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
For event details and tickets to Artful ATL (June 7th at Atlanta Contemporary), visit ArtfulATL.org.