Frames

One ancient proverb says a picture is equal to thousand words. What about picture frames. The main function of a picture or photo frame is to protect and highlight the content it holds. A beautiful work of art can be made to look drab by framing it improperly, using wrong materials. Similarly an excellent frame can definitely enhance the beauty of the picture it holds.

There are frames and there are frames but to select which is most suitable for the picture or photograph it is going to be a very difficult job. A wrong choice and you lose the contented feeling you get when you look at a work of art.

Occasionally, pictures are abnormal in size so you need custom picture frames which are quite expensive. To complement the picture, to get a perfect look and merge with ambience of the room where the picture is display one should be willing to commission a professional to build the perfect frame.

Picture and photo frames of standard sizes are not expensive and they can be bought from your neighbourhood shop. To suit our individual style and also to enhance the quality of the pictures, care should be taken to incorporate these factors when we select standard picture or photo frames.

Picture frames come in hundreds of colours, different shapes and a wide variety of materials which will complement the interior decoration.

The photo frames are made of pewter, stainless, ceramics, composites and crystal. Your budget is the only criteria to select the best available design and material.

Picture frames can be artful in their own right with wide borders, bright and bold colour. Try to avoid a picture frame which overwhelms the image it carries.

For the contemporary home select metal frames in darker shades such as black, copper, gold or silver. To get a Mediterranean style select bold white frames. To create an antique Victorian look ornate gilded frames are the best choice to highlight beautiful art and special prints.

The children’s room will get a youthful atmosphere by using plastic frames in vivid colours.

Avoid metal frames to encase valuable pieces of art. They are priced moderately and sold as kits with their backs open. This makes the contents exposed to dust and moisture.

With proper tools and after little practice you can make your own wooden picture frames and it is a correct choice for original arts, limited edition prints and other valuable photos.

For any family who has children baby picture frames are very important items. Sure, parents love to show off their little tykes as much as possible and choosing a suitable framing can make the difference between a good snapshot and a photographic masterpiece. There are lots of options when it comes to selecting the right frame for the little tot but for sure, one brand stands out.

Yes, images by Ellen presents unique baby picture frames that are especially designed for baby’s first picture. By first picture, I mean the infant’s sonogram or ultrasound image that a majority of parents receive during a checkup when the mother is about eighteen months pregnant. This is truly the infant’s first picture. I loved the ultrasound images of my daughter.

She was full of life and the nurse recommended that we get a lot of sleep while we possibly could. Our daughter wriggled around a lot that the nurse had a good opportunity to catch some really beautiful images of her while she was rolling around.

Of all, one of the images appeared to be a snapshot of our daughter waving to us. This is my absolute favorite of the ultrasound images and I wanted to frame it. Unfortunately, I glanced through a huge number of baby picture frames to no avail. I didn’t seem to find wither the right size or shape to suit our baby’s very first snapshots.

My next step was to let my friend, the Internet, get involved and I was not disappointed. I found Images by Ellyn in no time at all. This company specializes in baby picture frames designed specifically for ultrasound images. After just a few clicks and one tough decision, I was on my way to receiving a keepsake that I will treasure for my life.

The baby picture frames are made of wood, they are both long-lasting as well as suit any décor. The sonogram image is protected by a special support and a glass surface on the face of the image. The opening of the frame is also the perfect size for a sonogram image. You don’t need to crop or enlarge the ultrasound print to accommodate these baby picture frames. However the one thing that was tricky about the task was choosing the right words for the item. You can select any one from the number of sentimental statements that are available for the baby picture frames. The little note of sentiment adds a wonderful touch for the keepsake. Truly, I will always cherish my baby’s very first photo!

You don’t want to display your darling’s beautiful little face in just any old holder. Baby picture frames offer the perfect place for the image of your infant. You just have to work through the different options available for sale. There are lots of choices and you can spend a lot of time deciding.

Narrowing down your search is a breeze when you shop online. The first thing you want to do is to think about where you are going to display the baby picture frames. This is probably the most important aspects of the process of making a good choice. Of course, your personal tastes and your family’s personality come into play as well.

If your home is filled with a bunch of characters, why not choose baby picture frames that have, well, characters in their designs. You can find everything from animal figures to your favorite cartoon personalities adorned on the adorable frames for babies. These items are abundant and you are certain to find something that appeal to you.

How about some humor? Babies are known for putting grins on our faces no matter what situation. Add to that power of the puss by using some humorous baby picture frames. I love using these items in my office to give me a moment to look up and laugh for a moment before delving back into work.

Characters and humor are great for office spaces and nurseries but the themes might not play out so well in your formal living room. Classic baby picture frames are ideal choices for formal rooms. There are a plethora of well designed, striking frames for babies available in a classic theme.

Sentimental parents might want to opt for the “baby’s first year” frames. I love that you can add an image of your little one as he gets bigger. These baby picture frames typically have a central space surrounded by eleven or twelve other openings. You can put a new picture in the frame each month.

If you really want to showcase your little one, you really want to think about which baby picture frames to choose. Remember, you are putting the most precious images that you have in these items.

A relatively new product in the digital imaging industry is what has become known as the digital picture frame. These clever devices use a flat-panel TFT (usually just referred to as LCD) screen to electronically store and display digital photos, which can be transferred directly between the picture frame and your digital camera. They can be powered by either batteries or an AC adapter power supply that plugs into your mains wall socket, and are capable of storing between thirty and more than a thousand digital photos, depending on the frame, the size of the files, and the capacity of the memory card being used. While most people are probably aware of the numerous advantages of digital photography, there have always been a few areas where modern digital imagery simply didn’t offer what people wanted out of their photos. With only a slightly wider profile than a normal picture frame, a digital picture frame retains all the benefits of digital photography, combining them with the convenience and most of the features people liked about conventional paper photos.

Digital picture frames solve most of the remaining problems people have about digital photography in a simple, easy to use, and cost effective manner. One of the main problems people have is that they don’t have the time, opportunity, or knowledge required to view their pictures on the computer any time they feel like going through their albums. Digital picture frames solve this easily, as all prominent models on the market can store multiple images, and display them as a slide show. Most models allow the user to flip through each photograph one by one, much like they would with an old photo album. Older users, or the very young, who may not be familiar with computers, or may have no desire to learn, will enjoy the practical and straight-forward interface offered by these products. Learning how to use one could be compared to learning just the basic functions of a new television remote-control.

Digital picture frames allow the user to leave a photo on display for the long term, much like a conventional picture frame. This eliminates the cost of maintaining a printer and buying consumables, and allows you to have your picture of choice on display without tying up the computer.

When making a purchasing decision, you should compare the feature set offered by the different models available, with regard to your budget, and what you want from digital picture frames. Some things to consider include:

• Media types: The number of different storage media that a single device can use – for example, SmartCard™, CompactFlash™ etc, and whether the device can accept multiple types. Remember to check which media type your existing digital camera uses.
• Power options: How long the photo viewer’s batteries last, what type of batteries it takes, and whether it has a power supply to run plug straight into the wall socket are all important to consider.
• Physical dimensions: What size it is, how heavy, the look you’re after, and how you intend to use it. If you want to carry a digital picture viewer around in your briefcase or pocket, you’ll want a smaller, lighter model.
• Data transfer interfaces. Some models allow you to transfer pictures between your computer and picture frame via serial or USB interface, in addition to the normal camera memory cards.
• Various advanced features: The ability to connect the device directly to the Internet, and use it to send pictures to someone else who also has one is an example of just one deluxe feature.

Having laid down the criteria, it is possible to have a quick look at some of the products on the market today. The very cheapest digital picture frames start at about $85. These offer a very narrow feature set, with a tiny viewing area, rarely no larger than 3”, with relatively low quality image reproduction. For something of this size, you’re probably better off simply viewing with your existing digital camera, or viewing its image on your television, a task most digital cameras are capable of doing to some capacity. Most of the frames on the market, however, fall between $200 and $450, so we’ll have a very brief look at three such items.

VideoChip Wallet
While being a smaller model, the VideoChip Wallet has an appealing set of features, and is probably the choice for portability. If you prefer to carry your photos around with you wherever you go rather than setting a frame up on a side-table, then this is probably the one for you. The Wallet uses only CompactFlash card media, meaning that the number of photos you can store is limited only by the size of the JPEG or Bitmap files (.jpg, .bmp), and the storage capacity of your CF card. While the viewing area is just 4” with a 230×200 pixel display, it still manages to impress, weighing in at less than 11 ounces! It can be run directly off the included AC adapter, which also charges the internal 3 volt lithium batteries. This allows 3 hours continuous viewing between charges, and you don’t have to worry about changing batteries, as you can simply just plug it in again to recharge, much as you would a cell-phone. VideoChip Wallets offer rudimentary viewing options, either as a static image, a slide-show, as well as the option of several animated image transitions. They can be bought for about $350, making a Wallet a hefty purchase, considering that the main feature is its compact profile. But if you’re always on the move, or delight in showing your friends and family your photos wherever you are, then maybe this is the one for you.

Ceiva Internet Connected Picture Frame
This really is a remarkable product. Ceiva boasts this as the world’s first web-enabled digital picture frame. When you buy one of these, Ceiva signs you up with a subscription for their service for a period of time – usually a year – then you simply plug a spare phone line into the rear of the frame. At a scheduled time, say, at night when you’re not making calls, the frame’s integrated dial-up modem connects directly to Ceiva’s servers and synchronizes with your account on their service, which you can configure from your home Internet connection, or by phone if you don’t have a PC! In this way, you can download new pictures every day, or send them to family and friends also on the service. The frame itself stores only 30 JPEG images, however, your Ceiva account can store thousands, in almost any digital picture format you care to name. Viewing options are wide and flexible, with a full complement of features. The frame is powered only by an AC adapter for constant use, meaning it is not especially portable. It features a large 8.2” LCD display, making it easily one of the biggest on the market. Ceiva is currently offering a deal for three frames plus a free digital camera with new subscriptions for $340. For what is included this is an excellent purchase, however, if all you want is a digital picture frame, and you are not so much concerned with the Internet capabilities, then you may find the small storage capacity and lack of other more rudimentary features too restrictive.

DigiFrame DF-560
If what you’re after is a medium sized viewing area, with high-quality image reproduction and the most flexible range of features, then the DF-560 is for you. The DF-560 accepts both SmartCard media and CompactFlash cards, stores up 1,500 images on board, which display on a 5.6” high resolution 640×480 pixel LCD display. Also designed for constant, or all-day use, it is not battery powered, but runs off the included AC adapter. It offers changeable cosmetic frames, which allow the user to have a wood finish, if they’re after the authentic look, or something sleek and modern, giving an impression of brushed stainless steel, as well as everything in between. Again, you don’t need a PC to run this, as it has everything it needs on board, and images can be transferred via either of the storage card slots. However, if you do wish to use it in conjunction with a PC, it has a 9-pin serial port on the side, and includes a cable and software to allow you to transfer files directly between your PC and the frame, at a theoretical maximum transfer rate of 128kbps, or slightly better than twice the speed of a dial-up Internet connection. The DF-560 offers the widest range of slide-show transition effects, and allows you to prepare a number of customized slide shows using the images of your choice, all on the same card. As well as scaling large images down on the fly, which it is able to do with the inclusion of its relatively powerful processor, this digital picture frame packs a host of other features. All of this comes at a price, however, and while the feature set is great, the DF-560 retails somewhere around the $560 mark.

If you’re in the market for something to put your digital photographs on display or to show to friends, then one of these could be for you. There are more than just the three digital picture frames reviewed here out there, and this brief examination is by no means exhaustive, but it should give you an idea of what the different features on offer are, and what to base your decision on. If you’re after portability, then VideoChip’s Wallet may be for you. If the idea and the possibilities of an invention such as an Internet digital picture frame really appeals to you, the Ceiva frame is a logical choice, and cost effective at that. If all-round solid performance and flexibility is what you’re after, and you’ve got a budget to match, then give the DF-560 serious consideration.

Personalized picture frames make the perfect gift. If you have a need for an anniversary gift, a wedding present, or a baby shower gift, consider personalizing a picture for your loved ones. Really, these work great for gifts at all times of the year including holidays and birthdays. By personalizing them it helps to make them special and even more meaningful to you, and to the person that will be receiving it. Once complete, you may wish that someone would create these picture frames for you, too.

One way to make personalized picture frames that are meaningful is to select the right picture. Find a picture frame that is interesting or shows a memory that you share with the person that you love. Find a special memory of something that will bring a smile to their face and to your own. Perhaps a trip that the two of you took or a special memory from when you were children will work. The bottom line is that you want to find a way to touch their heart.

To personalize the picture frame, engrave a special message into it. Or, present the gift as a professional framed photo. You can have it done custom for an even more amazing look. The good news is that there are a number of ways that you can take that one special memory that you have and transform it into the perfect gift for someone. There will be no gift that means more to them. A poem, a special message or even the date that the event occurred, all mean a lot to those that are receiving this gift.

Personalized picture frames can be purchased throughout the web by framing professionals. You will also find a number of ways to do the personalizing of them. To touch their heart, consider these personalized messages of love