A sweeping landscape from a holiday, a city skyline, the panorama you took on your phone: some pictures demand a wider frame. They have a cinematic quality and a sense of scale that an ordinary photo cannot match, and they are often the pictures we treasure most.
The trouble starts when you want one on the wall. You take the print to a shop and find that every ready-made frame is the wrong shape. They are made for standard photo sizes, and your panorama is left without a home.
You may feel you have to compromise, either by cropping the edges of the view or by putting it in an oversized frame with awkward empty space. You do not have to do either.
The quick answer: The best way to frame a panoramic photo is in a made-to-measure frame. Standard frames are the wrong proportions, so they either crop the image or need a badly proportioned mount. A frame made to the size of the print fits exactly, supports it properly, and lets you choose the style, mount and glazing.
1. Why standard frames do not work
The problem is the aspect ratio.
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio is the relationship between the width and the height of an image. An ordinary photo is 3:2 or 4:3. A panorama is much wider, often 2:1 or 3:1, or wider still.
It is like watching a widescreen film on an old square television. There were two ways to make it fit, both bad:
- Pan and scan. The picture was enlarged and the sides cut off, so you missed half the action. That is the same as cropping your panorama.
- Letterbox. The whole width was shown, with thick black bars above and below. That is the same as a huge frame with a vast, awkward mount.
Neither does the film justice, and the same goes for your photo. A standard frame undermines the reason you took a panorama in the first place.
The risk of a poor fit
There is a practical risk as well. Without a properly cut mount and a firm backing, a long print can sag or ripple inside the frame.
2. The answer: made to measure
The only way to respect the shape of a panorama is a frame made for it. Here, made-to-measure framing is a necessity, not a luxury.
The right proportions
A made-to-measure frame is made to the exact size of your print. Nothing is cropped and nothing is compromised. Every inch of the view is shown as you composed it.
The mount
The mount is the card border between the frame and the photo. For a panorama it should be cut to fit. It gives the image breathing space and draws the eye in. More importantly, it keeps the photo away from the glass, where moisture can damage it over time. An acid-free mount is strongly recommended, because it prevents the paper yellowing over the years.
The glazing
The glass or acrylic protects the photo from dust, dirt and the fading caused by UV light. That matters for landscapes, which are usually full of colour. Glazing with UV protection is like a high-factor sun cream for your picture. Photography magazines such as Digital Camera World regularly make the point that protecting prints from light is the key to making them last.
For a long frame, acrylic glazing is worth considering. It is much lighter than glass, and safer in a wide frame.
3. Other ways to display a panorama
A triptych
A very long or dramatic panorama can be split into three equal panels, called a triptych. Framed separately and hung side by side with a small gap between, they make a modern, striking display that fills a large wall.
A picture shelf
A picture shelf, or ledge, is a narrow shelf on which a framed photo stands, leaning against the wall. It looks relaxed and informal, and you can change the display whenever you like.
Conclusion
Panoramic photos record some of our biggest and best moments, and they deserve a frame that does them justice. A made-to-measure frame fits exactly, protects the print properly and turns it into something you will be proud to hang for years.
EasyFrame offers a wide range of made-to-measure frames, and with long experience we can advise on the right frame for your panorama. Call us on 01234 856 501 or email sales@easyframe.co.uk. We are always happy to talk, whether or not you want to buy.