I've wondered for a long time why anyone would want to see film rebate printed or displayed around images. And, I've always been a little reluctant to ask why it's done. I fully understand that the rebate or border becomes an integral part of the image but what does it ever add to the image. I'm at a loss to understand the rationale. It's a relatively common practice so perhaps some of you who do it can help out here please. This question could be answered from several points of view - the photographer and what (s)he wants to achieve, the photographer and what (s)he thinks the viewer will make of it, and the viewers and what their reaction to it is.
Such a question may be seen as naive, unthinking, insolent or even provocative - but none of those is what prompts me to ask. I just don't see what it ever adds to an image - for me it almost always detracts from the image - so I'm wondering whether I'm missing something important for me to consider. One thing's for certain though, it's definitely not wrong to do it - it's a matter of choice. I'm looking to understand what influences that choice.
By the way - before posting this I tried a quick search of this forum but haven't been able to uncover anything that might shed light on the subject.
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