How to Frame a Golden Gate Bridge Print
If you order my Golden Gate Bridge print on paper, plan on a frame. Paper looks great, but without one it can look unfinished, and with a good frame it becomes a piece of real art on your wall. The good news is that framing this photograph is simple, because the image already has so much going on.
Spring flowers line the California hillside overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. From here, I snap this stunning photograph of the Golden Gate Bridge, perfect for any wall in a home or a office.
Additional Information:
Please allow 5-10 days for printing and shipping.
I have the ability to print custom sizes and material (like wood, gatorboard, etc.). If this interests you, please reach out to dj@dalton-johnson.com for a free quote with the size and material you desire.
Start with the room, not the frame. The photograph is full of color, with a blue sky, blue water, yellow wildflowers, and a red bridge. That is a lot for a wall to hold, so I lean toward a quiet frame. Black, white, or a light natural wood all work, and they let the picture do the talking. A heavy, ornate frame will fight it.
Next, think about a mat. A mat is the border between the photograph and the frame, and it gives the image room to breathe. It can also make a smaller print feel larger on the wall. Plenty of people skip it and go straight to the frame, and that looks clean and modern. Either choice is fine. It comes down to the look you want in your space.
Then think about the glass. Glass or acrylic protects the paper from dust and fingerprints, but it can also catch light. Before you buy, look at where the sun and your lamps hit the wall. If a window throws a reflection across the spot, you will notice it every day. A quick test is to hold a mirror against the wall and see what it picks up.
Size is the easy part. The print comes in 8x10, 8x12, 11x14, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30, and 24x36, and most of those match common frame sizes, so you are rarely forced into custom framing. Measure the print size you chose, check the frame, and remember that a mat or a thick frame adds inches to the outside dimensions. Measure your wall with the finished frame in mind, not just the print.
I choose the paper for every order myself, so you do not need to think about that part. What you do need to think about is cost. Paper with a frame is usually the cheapest way to hang this photograph. Metal is usually the most expensive, and canvas sits in the middle. If you are working with a budget, paper and a simple frame is the safest route, and it still looks finished.
Where you hang it matters too. Harsh, direct sun is hard on any print, and paper is no exception. A wall with soft, steady light is a better home. If the only wall you have gets strong afternoon sun, consider a different spot, or plan on curtains or blinds during the brightest hours.
I live in South Lake Tahoe, and the walls at home hold Lake Tahoe photographs and hand painted local art. The idea behind a good frame is the same anywhere. You want the person walking into the room to notice the picture first and the frame second.
If you are unsure, start simple. A thin black or white frame, a modest mat, and a wall with good light will make this photograph look right almost anywhere. You can always change the frame later, which is one small advantage paper has over the other materials.
This is a real photograph, made by a person standing on a hillside above the bridge at sunset. It was not made by AI. It is an open print run, and it ships in about 5 to 10 days, so you have time to find the right frame while you wait.
Go check out all the prints by Dalton Johnson.
About the Author
Dalton Johnson is a photographer, writer, and filmmaker who tells stories about real people pushing themselves in the outdoors, from the High Sierra to the far reaches of every continent. He has shot and written for brands, tourism boards, and editorial outlets, including Nike, Patagonia, Four Seasons, PBS, GoPro, and Ford, with more than 160 campaigns and hundreds of published articles to his name. Off assignment, he bikepacks, trail runs, swims open water, chases big waves, and rock climbs.
