I am so excited about this post!
One of my very first posts (over a year ago, wow!) was about the many uses of mason jars. Within my post, I discussed one particular way to use mason jars to showcase photographs suspended in oil for a unique spin on picture display.
“Lastly, a less common but very interesting way to use mason jars is to make it into a one-of-a-kind picture frame. The clear jars would be best for this, and by pouring olive oil (try to avoid the garlic kind — could get stinky!) in the jar with an upright picture, you can get a sepia effect and a new way to display your pics.”
Inspired by: Flickr
Over the past year, I have received many comments and questions about how exactly to go about recreating the photograph in the mason jar. Mostly what I have been asked is “Would a color or black and white picture work best”?
And after an in-depth experiment when I was bored to tears on one night…I finally have answers.
To break it down for you more easily, I’m about to get old school on you by using the scientific method.
- Question
- Research
- Hypothesis
- Experiment
- Conclusion
- Communicate
Why yes readers, that is Edward Cullen awaiting me at our lab desk. The lab desk that we share. We share it since we are lovers...I mean partners. In science. And perhaps in life as well.
Me like-a-da Ray Bans :)
Back to the business at hand…
1. Question: What type of picture will work best to re-create this mason jar picture frame? Color, black and white, sepia, or antiqued/faded?
2. Research: Google helped me see if there were any other great answers out there. There are not.
3. Hypothesis: After my research and personal opinions, I believe a black and white picture would make the photo in my mason jar picture frame most visible.
4. Experiment: Using a cake pan filled with about a half inch of olive oil (don’t worry, I didn’t waste much…I used it to cook some pasta afterwards), I submergered 4 different pictures/treatments to figure out which looked best and the most clear. If you want to re-create it to figure out the best results for your particular picture, by all means go for it. Try these easy steps:
Step 1: Fill pan with 1/2
COLOR PHOTO
Step 2: Grab a regular color photograph.
Step 3: Submerge color photograph.
Step 4: Observe results. Then repeat for each time of photograph you are considering.
BLACK & WHITE PHOTO
Black & white photo.
Black & white photo in olive oil.
Black & white photo in olive oil results.
FADED/ANTIQUED PHOTO
Faded/antiqued photo
Faded/antiqued photo in olive oil.
Faded/antiqued photo results.
SEPIA PHOTO
Sepia photo.
Sepia photo in olive oil.
Sepia photo results.
5. Conclusions: This is a multi-part conclusion.
1) It appears to me that the original mason jar used a black and white photograph in the olive oil.
2) However, I actually ended up liking the effect of the antiqued/faded picture the best.
Therefore as our friend Captain Planet would say, the power/choice is yours.
6. Communicate your results: Done. Boom.
I actually did this after your mason jar post last year! I used a color photo!!! They are in my room in Houston, will send a photo when I’m home!
I love love loveeeee the picture in the mason jar! What a great idea :-D Also, what a great idea with olive oil. I shall be trying these out! Thanks for the ideas :)
Does it have to be olive oil? I’m so cheap, I would hate to waste olive oil…. what about the cheapo vegetable oil? :)
I am thinking just teh same way! I would be sorry to use my precious, delicious, extra virgin, imported olive oil, and there are so many other options…would they work out well?
Hi Amalja! I’m pretty sure you could buy cheap-o olive oil from the grocery store or even use Canola oil. However, I don’t know the long-term effects of one versus the other. If you end up trying something else, let me know how your DIY project turns out! Thanks for reading.
Hi Nadia! Thanks for reading :) I definitely think you could use vegetable oil for the same purpose — great thinking!
Is it literally in the olive oil? The oil doesnt ruin the picture and make it fade?
Hi Mary! Yes, I literally used olive oil — Rachael Ray’s to be exact…although I’m sure I could have bought cheaper oil to save my good stuff for cooking :) Unfortunately, I’m not sure how the oil affects the photographs over time. I think it’s safe to say you should use a copy of a picture in the oil, just in case it has an adverse affect if you try to take the picture out.
This is genius. PERFECT gift for my beau’s birthday!
How long does the picture last in the olive oil?
Hi Michelle! Thanks for reading. Unfortunately, I do not have any statistics on how long the picture lasts although I am under the impression that oil can preserve things for decades. The picture will probably not be usable if you ever decide to take it out of the oil, so I recommend using a copy of a picture — not the original — if you are worried about that. Hope that helps!
I want to know the same thing as everyone else! Do you have to use olive oil? Will the picture last indefinitely? Don’t want to redo the decor in 2 months.
Hi Anna! I don’t have a definite answer to your question although I know that if oil is not exposed to freezing or boiling temperatures, it can last up to 3-4 years. I hope that helps a little :)
[...] I’m totally loving this idea. Mason jar + Olive + Photograph = an awesome photo display for your home. What a great gift idea! See it at — DIY: Photographs in Oil « The Funky Bear. [...]
This is way too cool. I love it! WOW. I love the black and white look and this is a fabulous way to make a special item for someone who has everything.
TFS
what a super great idea!! I know now what I am gonna be doing for christmas!!!! thanks for sharing …
Good luck! Send me a picture of your final product to share with everyone: thefunkybear@gmail.com
Rachel Ray’s olive oil is pretty expensive. You can get olive oil at the Dollar Store. I buy mine there for cooking and can’t tell the difference. Give it a try.
That is a great idea — especially for projects :)
I was thinking that I could laminate the photo before I put it in the oil to keep it preserved even more..
What a good idea! Send me a picture if that works out for you so everyone can try! thefunkybear@gmail.com
Why dont you just laminate the photo and then put it inside? it will stay forever,then you can colour it and add glycerine and water, that would look great too,just an idea,,,
oops didnt see the laminating idea was mentioned in a comment earlier,, great minds think alike,,,
[...] Photograph display in olive oil- Funky Bear Decor [...]
Does the picture stay stationary or does it move around in the jar? I wasn’t sure if I needed to glue it down to the bottom of the jar to keep it straight up or not. Thanks!