Thank you! I love photography. They were actually taken with my phone, not my "proper" camera

btaylor10, thank you – great feedback and great story! It's nice to hear that others are using their own pictures as well (even if they're not necessarily pro photographers). And I was wondering about the framing too; I didn't want anything too ornate.

katinparadise you are so kind. Thank you for making me feel good about the photo. You made my day.

I have to disagree with wacokid. Some of the most inspiring photographs are those of familiar subjects viewed from a different or unique perspective, not necessarily something unusual. An old dead tree or a pinecone can be spectacular when seen through the eye of someone like Ansel Adams. Enjoy your art.

You are showing pictures of what I said people like to see, unusual pictures of landscape, something that is different, like your pictures.

Dani, if you like the dead trees, then make them your primary subject. shoot early morning or late afternoon, not w/the sun directly overhead. perhaps a thin white filet instead of the large white mat. it's a cool photo though.

I took one the other day of this oak w/these massive dead roots. got it w/my phone, but will go back w/my Nikon and better lighting.

the whole tree, a close up and the roots w/high contrast black and white

I like the two dead trees. They are the focus of the photograph for a reason - that they are different from their surroundings, and you have highlighted that well, IMO.

That said, I'm no photographer. I do however, take pictures like crazy, especially of my travels with my husband. I frame and hang my amateur photos so that we can remember our great times together, and visitors can ask about them. I find for me, my lack of expertise is somewhat hidden by printing them in smaller sizes, and creating murals vs. one large photo.
One of my favorites... but it certainly isn't close to as good as a pro shot. But I was there, and it was a glorious day.

You might want to have your stuff printed on canvas. My husband is an amateur photographer, and we've had many of his landscape photos printed on canvas, and they are hung throughout our home.

Dani... Go for it! If you love the photo hang it! There is no need for fancy frames or other things.... go to a craft store when they have a sale and grab some frames that you love! You can even do the "frameless kind" or just put the photos in the mats and hang those... There are many ways to do collages... photos hanging in your hoe should mean something to you and be a conversation piece, not just that image I downloaded!

Here are some fun collages:

Also depending on what camera you are using always take multiple shots ( it is cheap and easy now with everything being digital ) even take shots in black and white.... if you find a subject you are looking at you can also try repositioning it in the picture - I like when the subject is off center... I too love a dead tree and nature photos:

Have fun with it!

Your photos are great and it is wonderful to surround yourself with art that is meaningful to you. It might be less expensive to have the photos printed on large canvas (unframed,) or when you have the photos enlarged, make them a size that will fit a standard frame, or use matting, so you don't have custom framing costs.

Dani,
I like your photo very much. It looks like a path I would want to take. I always want to know whats just around the corner, and this peaks my curiosity.

Also, Im not in love with the white mat and black frame, but can't think of a better alternative.

Keep shooting and have fun with it! You don't have to be a professional to make art.

Dani, I didn't see dead trees when I looked at your photo. I saw a path through the forest, inviting me and beckoning me to come see what awaits. Your art *definitely* "spoke" to me! Try to let your mom's comment roll off; it's probably difficult for her to see you as an accomplished adult, because you're her baby.

I love the photo & I like the black & white frame & matte! It makes the dark greens of the trees stand out. I take photos of dead trees & gnarled tree trunks & roots---all interesting & intriguing to me. I hope that "artwork" is hanging on your wall!

An original piece of art is worth so much more than mass produced images. Hang your photo with pride.

Beth H those are awesome! I love the roots. And thank you for the great pointers. You're right, that golden hour would make some gorgeous images.

Lianne McMahan you could've fooled me Lianne, when I first saw that stunning picture before reading your message, I thought it was from a pro. That is just incredible. It transports you. Thank you for the great idea of keeping it on the smaller side. That's what I should do.

shirlpp canvas hadn't even crossed my mind. Thanks! I'll have to check that out!

Debbi Washburn wow! I love that idea. I could do a whole gallery wall of just hiking photos. That would take the pressure off so that I'm not worrying about ONE big one being perfect.

calidesign That is a very good tip – the custom framing will cost more than the picture itself. I will resize it for a standard frame, or do the canvas print. Thanks for the solid advice!

lulu thank you for the kind words! I will reconsider the frame and see what other options are available.

ackcx3 good point! And my mom has much different aesthetic preferences than I do (probably like most kids and their moms). We bought houses at around the same time in 2016. She went super traditional with the decor; I went mostly modern.

Judi Angelovich thank you for the sweet comment!! That means a lot to me.

mramsey I agree on that for sure! It was fun to have mass-produced posters and art as a kid in the 90s, but now I want to stay FAR away from that. Ha! :-)

I like that advice, mrykbee. Thanks!!

Just a little update... I did end up printing a teeny tiny version of the picture and using it as part of a larger collection in the living room. These pictures are nothing fancy, just my dog and some hiking locations in Colorado Springs. And since they're so small I don't feel the least bit worried about the artistry of them.

I still really like the photo that I originally showed you (attached at the top), so one day I may get it printed and framed much bigger than just this itty bitty 5 x 5.

Thanks for all your great tips, suggestions, and insight!!

Thanks for sharing!

That looks great!!!!! Well done! Now you can inspire others!

photography is for yourself to enjoy. dead trees or not... if you like it , I'd leave it on the wall. framing system also depends on whether it goes with the decor and feeling of the room or location. I've been putting up silly pictures as well and photography is definitely not in my portfolio. I framed a picture of a heart shape pizza that my husband and I did together. it wasn't perfect but memorable perhaps.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You like what you are doing and you are finding ways to use it in your personal space. Excellent! Wonderful! Leave "mom" out of it. Her taste isn't your taste. And your home isn't her home (I'm assuming). Which means you are are welcome to do what you want, where you want in your home.

Have fun! The photo wall is an excellent presentation. It does everything you need it to do: add interest without adding cost!

Enjoy YOUR art! Photography should be fun. It should offer fulfillment. If you get that out of your art, then you are moving in the right direction. I'm just sorry that your mom can't see what it does FOR YOU.

Sorry but is a pretty ugly pic

Care to show how much better YOUR photography is Dyliane?

Hi lmontestella, my question was facetious.

I have a self-deprecating humor when it comes to things that aren't a big part of my career or lifestyle. Why? Because I'm comfortable with criticism... especially in areas where I'm a beginner, like photography and interior design.

Being comfortable with criticism and being able to laugh at yourself are signs of a VERY healthy self esteem. I'm not afraid to say, "hey guys! I'm new at this, but I'd sure love your insight even if it's negative!"

That last sentence is really the whole gist of what I wrote, but I wanted to give some context and also let people know that my feelings aren't fragile. I can handle negative feedback.

Being able to handle negative feedback without being offended is what makes people well-adjusted adults.

And I sought out the opinions of those who are more experienced because I believe there is such a thing as a bad composition and a good one. If there weren't, then there'd be no need for photography classes, workshops, and college degrees. Those would be totally unnecessary.

As for my mother, I asked for her honest opinion and she gave it quite tactfully. In fact, she never once said that it was "horrid" or that she "hated it", the way you did when you began your critique of my question.

I found that interesting. You advised me not to seek criticism, yet you spent a whole lot of time criticizing me.

Being a people pleaser is not necessarily a character flaw, but more like a quirk, in my case. And I'm fine with it. I want my house to not just inspire me, but also the people I invite into it.

But there's some irony in your advice: You're telling me that I need to change myself and be less of a people pleaser... and if I were to do that, I'd be trying to please YOU. So, I'll pass on that.

Thank you for the unsolicited life coaching, but that's not why I use Houzz. I use it for conversation about interior design. You didn't need to respond to my post if you had a problem with the way I framed it.

My question was about the picture, and everyone else either got my wit or didn't care about it, and still answered my question. They gave me things to kick around in my head until I figured out what to do.

To be honest, I actually don't wonder where you got the wherewithal to post your comment because it's nothing new. People telling other people how to think and live is common on the internet. And I'm not interested in seeking that out from total strangers, though I will seek out guidance from those who can help me decorate my walls.

dyliane thanks for your candor!

Cancork Floor Inc. Will do, thank you for the solid advice.

Ouch....there is some truth in what Imontestella is saying. Someone at work would come in every day and ask how she looked. There were a lot of days where she looked bad, but I did not tell her. I finally asked why she was asking this everyday and she said because her father says she always looks like 's _ _ _'. This is sad.

Aileen S, I love that idea! That inspires me to embrace the memorable photos and stop thinking about the perfect ones. Thanks for the great pointer.

Sorry Dani I didn't get the humor at all. I apologize if that makes my comments out of place.

I'm not encouraging following me or my thoughts; rather my intention was to encourage honoring the art. The art above all else, w/out judging it (different than constructive critique of it).

Pls. excuse me.

This is the WWW....so whatever you post - be careful - as all do not take facetiousness the same way.

This is the WORLD. So whatever you think, say it only if you'd like it said to you.

Dani - looks like that rather negative post was removed... I always feel bad for posters who all of a sudden get a barrage of psychoanalysis or people fighting with eachother on what really is a simple question... Maybe it is just because I got your humor or maybe it is because I was just interested in helping you with your design question and that's all...

IN the end I hope you had a few laughs and learned some good design ideas - the wall looks great ! Swap out the photos with the seasons and holidays - that will keep it an interesting space!

You may also want to consider black and white photography. I took photography years ago (and developed my photos which was fun) and things that seemed mundane visually became interesting and graphic in black and white. When hung in a set, they make a statement. We just found some technical drawings my dad did in the 30's and had them framed and thought I should mention that Ikea sells large frames (in silver, black and grey) that include mats for $14. Can't go wrong and that way, you can frame lots of your photos. Have fun.

I can back you up on liking those trees. Dead trees are an integral part of a healthy living world--- in a lot of ways they are more important than "living trees". I put that in quotes because "dead" trees are never dead, they host hundreds of organisms and enrich the soil so new things can grow. Dead trees are awesome. Have you seen so-called mother trees? They make beautiful pictures, too.

As for your photo, why not just print it, hang it up, and replace it when you have a new photo you like better (and repeat, etc)? As an artist myself I know that the process of continuing to improve your "eye" is a big part of what making art is all about. Being open to ever more detail and seeing the world in a new way.

What an interesting thread. I like the photo, Dani. I'm glad you chose to use it! And like others, I admire your courage in sharing your art and your honesty in admitting your vulnerability.

As you're people pleasing, remember: you're a person too!!! ;-)

I think the photo is lovely, but that's not important. It's important that it's YOUR photo, taken on your hike, with your husband, and you should display it happily.

I went to Africa a few years ago. I'm no photographer but we took thousands of pictures with a pretty good camera and I've printed several of them on canvas and I plan to get more when I can decide which ones. I would hang 50 of them. I could buy photos of lions all day online, but those are MY gorillas that we hiked up a mountain in Rwanda to visit, that is MY naughty lion cub that we spent an afternoon watching, that is MY huge, scarred daddy lion, those are MY elephants. I love them all so much. Hang things that make you happy.

Dani, your image is wonderful. As someone who loves seeing the world through my creative eye I would encourage you to really develop your creative soul. Both art and your home is about what moves you to feel emotion. This is why it is so important to surround yourself with things that draw you I and make you feel and rekindle good memories.. Your image does that. I would frame it as a large piece of art that you display proudly. Many people fill their houses with art they purchased that mean nothing to them. You are blessed to have a need to develop a creative soul theough your camera. So run with it. Fill your house with your memories and enjoy them. Also for the future when using your camera take several shots from different angles, it will really develop your eye and what you prefer to see through your lense.

Please, never ask your mother for her opinion about your photos again!

I happen to think it is a great picture, something far more special than anything you could buy, but my opinion doesn't matter either.

It's your view of the world, hanging it on your wall is the perfect place for it.

But I do think that careful consideration should go into the frame choice. A good one is an investment, and since you like photography you may want to change the picture in it over the years as you take more lovely photos.

I just found this conversation and i happen to like your picture, dead or alive I believe trees are all so different just like people.
I too would like to use a few of my pictures and didn’t know if they were worthy of my showing them to anyone else so here goes.
I was thinking about changing these pictures into black and white and see how they looked.
Our walls are going to be painted in BM Winds Breath so I thought Black frame with white Matt , or black Matt with white frame , I just don’t know what size you make the picture versus the frame and Matt. I wanted the look that has large Matt with small picture . I have more pictures that are rectangular not square.
(My daughter too the paddle picture)
Would love to hear what everyone could recommend.
Thank you

Hi poorgirl, I can't give you any useful recommendations for how to display your photos, but I like them a lot.

Poorgirl - We'd need some more information to help more. For instance, what type of camera do you use? Do you shoot RAW/ jpeg? What ppi/ resolution? What room will this be in, do you want a single print or a collage, what other decor is in the room...? Also, choose elements like the art before paint.

It would be best to start a separate specific discussion, with such info. When you do, you can share the link here.

Regarding them being good enough, they are good, for one. For another, they're yours, and that's more important. Consider some factors (such as these below), and then decide if you should use one of these or shoot some more and use another in future.

Pay attention to the pictures. Notice the dark areas vs light areas. The impression can be quite different on a wall, and not all looks will work in all spaces.
Also, black and white is great, some pictures are better so, but it can also sometimes kill the shot if there is difference in the colurs but not a lot of diferrence in light-dark.
Use some simple editing software to do basic b/w edits and assess it.

One of my husband's hobbies is photography. We have various landscape scenes on the walls from his hobby. At times we will send the photo to be printed in a much smaller size(5x7), to help determine if we'd like it larger. Maybe you should consider this...Good Luck.