The Photo Do's and Dont's of Using Round Picture Frames
- By Autumn Lockwood
- Published 02/10/2010
- Articles
- Unrated
Autumn Lockwood
Autumn Lockwood is a writer for Your Picture Frames and loves taking pictures. Shop for frames and see our selection of decorative round picture frames and antique oval picture frames by visiting our website or calling us at 1-800-780-0699.
View all articles by Autumn Lockwood
Round picture frames add an artistic dimension to any picture frame collection. There are many different types of decorative round picture frames however, not every photo will look good in a round frame so you need to be careful. Once you've read this article, you'll know what types of pictures to avoid and which ones look great in a round picture frame so your photos will always look good framed.
Round picture frames are a fun way to display photos, but sadly most people display the wrong type of pictures in them. So, to help you avoid the pitfalls of using round frames, it’s best to start off with the types of photos to avoid using in round frames.
What You Should Avoid with Round Frames
Round picture frames are a great choice in certain circumstances, but there are times when you should avoid using a round frame. Here are the two top things to avoid in round picture frames:
1) Close-up Headshots: The round shape of the frame tends to give faces a more full appearance. No one wants to have a round or full face so don’t place a close up head-shot photo in a round frame no matter how much you love the frame. In almost every case, the photo will look unflattering to the person in the picture so don't do it. The only case where up close pictures look good in round frames are pictures of babies.
However, this doesn't mean you can't have headshot photos displayed in round frames- you just need to be at a distance. If you're far enough away, headshots can look great framed but you should always pay attention to how the frame makes the person's face look.
2) Cropping the Photo Too Tight: If you need to crop a photograph to fit into a round frame, don't crop it too close. You want the subject in the picture to have some spacing around them so they don’t look like they were crammed into the frame. Any picture you display in a round picture frame needs to have the subject positioned with an equal amount of space around them so the picture and frame complement each other.
Remembering not to crop your pictures too tight and not to use close up shots are two important rules that are easy to follow. That leaves a huge selection of photos that you can display in round frames.
The Types of Photos You Should Use in Round Frames
There are many pictures that will look great in a round picture frame. Round picture frames help add a unique look to your decor and your photo no matter if you display it by itself or as part of a wall display. Here are some ideas of what will look good in a round frame:
1) Landscape pictures are wonderfully suited for a round picture frame. Framing a landscape image in a round picture frame makes it look like you’re looking through a small window at the beautiful scenery outside. Round frames are great to use with landscape pictures taken at a distance so it best fits the dimensions of the frame.
2) Pets are a favorite choice for round decorative picture frames. No matter if it's a picture of their head or their entire body, the compact size of most pets makes them a great candidate for a round picture frame.
3) Drawings, sketches, needlepoint or other artwork can be beautifully displayed in a round picture frame. If you are looking for a unique way to enhance and display your artistic creation, consider using a round picture frame.
4) Baby pictures are an excellent choice for round picture frames. Round picture frames and the cute round shape of babies go great together. Just make sure to center your baby's picture properly within the baby frame for best results.
5) Think about more than just displaying photos. Photos and artwork are not the only items that look great in a round frame. Mirrors are great to put in a round frame as they add light and depth to any room. Not only will you have a useful item on your wall, but it will add a beautiful stylish touch to your decor.
If you have never used a round picture frame, now is the time to try one. Now that you know what photos to avoid and which ones look best in a round frame, you'll feel confident in selecting a round frame that will look great in your home.
Round picture frames are a fun way to display photos, but sadly most people display the wrong type of pictures in them. So, to help you avoid the pitfalls of using round frames, it’s best to start off with the types of photos to avoid using in round frames.
What You Should Avoid with Round Frames
Round picture frames are a great choice in certain circumstances, but there are times when you should avoid using a round frame. Here are the two top things to avoid in round picture frames:
1) Close-up Headshots: The round shape of the frame tends to give faces a more full appearance. No one wants to have a round or full face so don’t place a close up head-shot photo in a round frame no matter how much you love the frame. In almost every case, the photo will look unflattering to the person in the picture so don't do it. The only case where up close pictures look good in round frames are pictures of babies.
However, this doesn't mean you can't have headshot photos displayed in round frames- you just need to be at a distance. If you're far enough away, headshots can look great framed but you should always pay attention to how the frame makes the person's face look.
2) Cropping the Photo Too Tight: If you need to crop a photograph to fit into a round frame, don't crop it too close. You want the subject in the picture to have some spacing around them so they don’t look like they were crammed into the frame. Any picture you display in a round picture frame needs to have the subject positioned with an equal amount of space around them so the picture and frame complement each other.
Remembering not to crop your pictures too tight and not to use close up shots are two important rules that are easy to follow. That leaves a huge selection of photos that you can display in round frames.
The Types of Photos You Should Use in Round Frames
There are many pictures that will look great in a round picture frame. Round picture frames help add a unique look to your decor and your photo no matter if you display it by itself or as part of a wall display. Here are some ideas of what will look good in a round frame:
1) Landscape pictures are wonderfully suited for a round picture frame. Framing a landscape image in a round picture frame makes it look like you’re looking through a small window at the beautiful scenery outside. Round frames are great to use with landscape pictures taken at a distance so it best fits the dimensions of the frame.
2) Pets are a favorite choice for round decorative picture frames. No matter if it's a picture of their head or their entire body, the compact size of most pets makes them a great candidate for a round picture frame.
3) Drawings, sketches, needlepoint or other artwork can be beautifully displayed in a round picture frame. If you are looking for a unique way to enhance and display your artistic creation, consider using a round picture frame.
4) Baby pictures are an excellent choice for round picture frames. Round picture frames and the cute round shape of babies go great together. Just make sure to center your baby's picture properly within the baby frame for best results.
5) Think about more than just displaying photos. Photos and artwork are not the only items that look great in a round frame. Mirrors are great to put in a round frame as they add light and depth to any room. Not only will you have a useful item on your wall, but it will add a beautiful stylish touch to your decor.
If you have never used a round picture frame, now is the time to try one. Now that you know what photos to avoid and which ones look best in a round frame, you'll feel confident in selecting a round frame that will look great in your home.