In a wee change in plan, this evening’s programme was provided by Derek to help folks obtain sharper looking photos and to present prints in the best light (see what I did there?) by mounting prints very neatly.

The evening started with a demonstration of mounting prints using double-sided tape. This is suggested in place of using the 3M Photo Mount adhesive. Photo Mount spray can get messy and there is quite a strong smell that can linger for hours. There is also the danger of spreading the adhesive while you set the print in place. The tape is tearable, or you can use scissors. For window mounts, the tape is applied to the four sides of the rear of the window. Using the tape roll to prop up the window front mount to allow the print to be positioned. The protective film is removed from one of the sides and this side is used to secure the print in place. The other three sides can then have their protective strips removed so that each side can be secured in turn. Four lengths of adhesive tape are then stuck to the rear mount card. Again the tape roll can be used to hold the print up off the adhesive tape, to allow positioning and the edges are each stuck down in turn. An additional suggestion was to obtain a roll of wallpaper lining paper. Once cut to size, the paper is easily flattened out under a box for a few hours and it makes a decent “cartridge paper” backing for photographic print mounts.

The rest of the evening was taken up with a few lighting setups with still life subjects. The idea was to see how the direction of light can influence the contrast and apparent sharpness of photographs. When the light was positioned directly in front of the subject, providing flat illumination with little contrast showing. As the light source was positioned further to the side, contrast increases and the apparent sharpness of the image is enhanced. This effect is apparently, is called “acutance”. Look it up on Wikipedia, or better still, just see what effect it has on your photos.

It was an interesting and fun evening, with folks getting the chance to talk to each other.

Regards

Ed