The plexiglass comes with a clear protective acetate to prevent scratching during transit, peel off the acetate to make the frame crystal clear. To insert the photo slide all of the the swinging hooks so they are no longer underneath the frame and remove the back piece. Make sure to remove the clear protective acetate that is on the plexiglass to make the frame crystal clear. Once you have placed the picture in the frame, put the back on again and slide the swinging hooks so they are back under the frame.