It takes a lot of skill and effort to create a gorgeous photo.
That's true of the process in the field to take the shot and back home to post-process the photo, too.
But that's not where the skill and effort end...
Instead, hanging your photos on the wall is an art unto itself as well.
Here's a few tips on how to display photos in a way that makes them shine.
Scale Matters
When creating a photo wall display, you can be so focused on finding the right spot and getting the height just right that you forget about the scale of the piece in the space.
It's critical that you think of the scale of the print because if it's too small for the space, it will look awkward with all the bare area around it on the wall.
Conversely, if the print is too large for the space, it will look cramped, and you might not even be able to see the entire image.
Perhaps the easiest approach is to find a spot where you'd like to hang a photo and create a "print" with painter's tape.
This gives you a non-destructive way to see how big or small your print should be, and then you can order your print with the confidence that it will be the right size for the space.
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How to Display Photos: Find Ways to Achieve Balance
When you compose a photograph, you want it to have good balance from left to right and top to bottom. The same holds true for creating photo wall displays.
What you don't want is for an array of multiple photos to feel heavy on one side, which is what happens when larger pieces are located on the fringes of a display.
The visual weight of a large print feels heavier than a small print, which is why placing larger prints in the middle of a photo display is typically a good idea.
The same holds true for prints that have a lot of attention-grabbing details. Images with very bright or intense colors, for example, hold more visual weight and therefore tend to work best when displayed in the middle of an array of photos.
Another part of the balance issue is understanding that what's on your walls needs to flow well with what's in the room.
That is, if there's furniture below your artwork, consider how the two can work together to create a cohesive and interesting look.
For example, if you're hanging photos above a table where you usually display something tall like a vase of flowers, taking the height of the flowers into account and positioning the image off-center allows you to create an interesting vignette with the flowers, the image, and the furniture as well.
The key is to make your photo displays look purposeful so there's no mistaking that you placed your prints where you did for a reason.
Odd Numbers are Your Friend
One of the essential tips for how to hang photos is to create displays with odd numbers.
Having an odd number of images helps to keep the eye moving - there's less symmetry in an odd-numbered display, so there's less opportunity for a person's eyes to rest or "get stuck."
One of the best photo arrangements is to have a larger image in the middle flanked by two smaller images on either side.
This creates a nice linear look that's perfect for above a sofa or in another area where the wall offers more horizontal than vertical space.
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Start the Process With High-Quality Prints
Before you can get to the point of actually hanging your images on the wall, you need to first get high-quality prints.
While that might seem easy to do given the number of image printers there are these days, finding a printer that produces finely-crafted, beautiful prints is much harder to do.
Trust me - I've tried more than my fair share of printing companies over the years, many of which were a resounding disappointment.
Then I found CanvasHQ.
What sets CanvasHQ apart from everyone else is that they are dedicated to the process.
With them, you aren't just another order; instead, you're a valued customer that deserves the very best canvas print.
It's a family-run business, so this time-honored commitment to the customer comes as no surprise.
Great service. Canvas and print quality is very good, and the framing is done very well. We will definitely be ordering more. - Ed V., Spencer, IA
That's not just evident in the quality of craftsmanship, either.
These guys have top-notch customer service, too. If you have a question, they answer it and answer it quickly.
And better still, they offer feedback and recommendations for your images and orders, that way there's no surprises when you get your print in the mail.
Great work on the canvas. I am quite impressed with your touch up and refining skills. Thank you. I highly recommend Canvas HQ. Fast delivery as well. - Kim S., Boerne, TX
What I appreciate the most about CanvasHQ is that they create impeccable prints and do so fast. And I mean really fast.
I've placed orders on a Wednesday before and had my prints on my doorstep on Friday. That's crazy, especially since CanvasHQ is in Arkansas and I'm in California.
From the quality of the canvas to the inks they use, the handcrafted frames to the 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, you won't find a better printer for your favorite photos than CanvasHQ.
I'm speaking from experience - I have dozens of prints in my home, each seemingly more beautiful than the last.
So, if you want to create photo displays that are well-organized, beautiful, and have meaning, start the process by getting the best prints you can.
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photo wall display, how to display photos, how to hang photos