New Year, New Framing and Photography Resolutions
It’s the new year, which means that people all over the world have been declaring their resolutions for the coming months. If you haven’t yet set your own (and “eating healthier” or “read more” aren’t the inspirational goals you’re looking for), check out our New Year’s resolutions for photographers, artists, and other creatives.
Organize all those photos and negatives.
Digital may have replaced print for everyday photography, but many people still have hundreds of old prints and negatives in storage. Some may be kept in slowly deteriorating photo albums — but more often than not, these photographs are thrown haphazardly into shoeboxes and drawers.
Make it your goal to organize your photos and store them the right way. Gather all your loose prints and negatives and place them in archival photo storage boxes; use print sleeves for extra protection or when placing in photo albums and scrapbooks. Besides checking off your resolution in one fell swoop, you’ll have a chance to view photos you may not have seen in years and reminisce with family and friends.
Use that fancy camera that’s been collecting dust.
Photography has become a widespread hobby and profession thanks to the rising popularity of DSLR cameras — but some of these advanced cameras have been left sitting in a closet, untouched due to their complexity. If you bought or received a professional digital camera but have yet to use it, make that your New Year’s resolution. Getting started with photography will take some time and patience, but it can be a rewarding practice — even if you only do it for yourself.
Up your framing game.
You already have some skills if you are framing your artwork and prints at home, but you can make it a resolution to improve them. Instead of using a single mat cut to preset sizes, design and customize your mat board in one of the most popular mat board styles. If you’ve been mounting your own prints with photo corners or strips, try out of one of the more advanced mounting techniques, such as using a museum mounting kit that includes Japanese hinging paper and starch paste. Once you start gaining confidence, you can move on to even more specialized techniques — and you may find a new passion!
Challenge yourself creatively.
Once a creative, always a creative — and across all types of art. Those that normally paint can try their hand at sculpting; photographers can put down their cameras and capture the sights they see through writing. You can make this resolution a monthly goal: each month, you’ll try a new medium. At the end of the year, you can look back at the artwork you’ve created and see how you’ve nurtured your creativity.
Refresh your frames — or finally hang that artwork.
Artwork that’s already hung often won’t get a new frame unless its old one breaks, so make it your resolution to give your artwork an updated frame. You can give a whole new look to your home simply by replacing your metal frames with wood frames, or by adding a few colorful mat boards.
Some unlucky pieces of artwork, on the other hand, never actually make it to the wall. If you still have artwork or prints that you’d like to frame and display but just haven’t gotten around to it yet, make it your goal this year. Print, hang and frame the photos you’ve saved on your camera roll or take that canvas out of storage — and design a custom frame that will enhance it. The best part of this resolution is that you will see it every day: a framed reminder that you’ve set and accomplished your New Year’s resolution.