Creating a Rogues Gallery

While minimalist interior design is chic in some circles, most people do not like to leave their home’s walls bare. Some may wish to fill their dwelling’s blank canvasses with expensive paintings or photographs; those that decorate on a budget may choose to purchase non originals from a poster or department store.

One can decorate their place, for next to nothing, using original and alluring works of art. How? By creating a rogues gallery, a photograph collage, of one’s own pictures. By completing such an interior design project will result in a unique, personal, and fulfilling display.

What is a Rogues Gallery?

The term “rogues gallery” originally referred to the collection of wanted posters pinned up in the local post office during the days of the Wild West. Jesse James, Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid and other outlaws’ mugshots were all once part of such a gallery.

Today a rogues gallery, when it comes to home decor, does not serve to identify criminals, but to display numerous photographs, each in their own frame, of people: family members, friends and other significant persons. Pictures are normally arranged close together forming a quasi collage of snapshots.

A Rogue Rogues Gallery

Joshua Longley devised the term “rogue rogues gallery” after he created one in his own apartment. He added the second “rogue” to its title because it was rebelling against the true nature of the original concept – he chose not to incorporate any pictures of people whatsoever. This decision allowed him to have the freedom to use a wide array of photographs from stunning landscapes in Key West, Florida to colorful storefronts in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Whether one decides to fashion a rogues gallery or a rogue rogues gallery, an immense creativity can shine through as there are a multitude of people, and other creatures, places, landscapes, seasons, and objects the gallery designer can photograph.

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Selecting the Photographs

When selecting photographs for one’s rogues gallery, diversity is key. It won’t do to only use pictures from Cousin Harriet’s wedding. Going through all of one’s saved digital photo files, like past vacations and holiday celebrations, one can compile an eclectic collection. It does not have to stop at past images, however; capturing potential gallery-worthy images can be an ongoing process. A leisurely walk around the neighborhood may turn into some amazing “photo-ops”, whether it is spontaneously running into a friend on the street or catching a bright green inchworm dangling from a tree.

Once a shortlist of favorite photographs is formed, pictures can be adjusted slightly using Photoshop, if the decorator wishes. There are a number of procedures you can use to fine-tune images in Photoshop, but one needn’t make it too complicated. By simply adjusting the contrast, brightness and saturation levels, it is amazing how a picture’s quality will turn into professional caliber.

Acquiring Picture Frames

If ten or even twenty pictures are tentatively selected for a rogues gallery, buying a frame for each one can be costly. Some avoid spending a lot of money by purchasing a collage picture frame, one big frame composed of multiple smaller frames. But, again, diversity is key, and by using a collage picture frame, all casings look the same.

Acquiring picture frames from the local flea market or neighborhood yard sales will make the rogues gallery even more unique at little cost. Images can then be encased in frames of different sizes, colors and styles. If a frame is weathered or chipped, it will add character and an antiquarian flair to the exhibit. Other objects can be converted into frames and this is where imagination takes hold. Longley was able to convert an antique badminton racket case into a frame.

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Mounting Photos

Gallery photographs now need to be matched to the plethora of purchased frames. For example, a black and white picture of one’s great grandparents may look best in an antique frame. The beauty is that it is completely subjective, and the designer-homeowner gets to make all of the artistic decisions. Frames then need be measured to determine the printing size for each picture. Mounting and hanging photos does not need to be expensive either. Mats can be constructed using Bristol board and sets of hooks and wiring can be picked up from the dollar store.

Enjoying the Rogues Gallery

Once all pictures are hung, the decorator can take pride in his/her very own rogues gallery and know it is composed of his/her own personal photographs. It will bring life to a room and be a conversation topic when visitors come over and then admire. Who knows, it may even get more attention than the imitation Rembrandt in the next room. The rogues gallery should never be considered a finished product, however, but a dynamic exhibit continuously receiving captivating additions.