Who here is buying photographs?

gbock · Nov 13, 2004

I've bought quite a few prints on eBay. I'm drawn to work that is different from what I do, or am able to do, stylistically. This includes nudes (I have quite a few of Ray Bidegain's exquisite pt/pd prints), surreal work and architecture. My main criterion is that the print evoke a strong emotional response. Whether it's conventionally "beautiful" is irrelevant. If I buy it, it's beautiful to me.

Selling on eBay is the main outlet for a lot of very talented artists, including people who would never sell their work through the gallery channel, or any other channel. In my opinion, it would very unfair to say that an association with eBay cheapens an artist or his/her work.

I've also begun to trade prints with others on this forum and elsewhere, and find that even more rewarding than buying prints.

Gerhard

Tom Stanworth · Nov 13, 2004

I would like to buy prints, but at the moment If I have the choice between buying prints and being able to buy film, get up to Sctoland etc I will take the latter. I hope to be in a position financially where I can splash out. I think anyone who is trying to get somewhere with their own work would take great pleasure in supporting others trying likewise. For now, however, I (like others) have a spot on the horizon which I am charging towards. Going to exhibitions and reading constantly keep me reminded of the wealth of talent out there. I therefore dont feel the 'need' to buy, but look forward to it in the future!

Tom

removed account4 · Nov 13, 2004

the closest i have are vintage portraits of and by unknowns of a bygone era and prints and other art i have from exchanges with other photographers and artists. a few are from apug, but others are not. i don't have a lot of cash lying around and when i do, it is mostly sunk back into lenses and equipment that i use to try to eek out a living. over the years i have bought and sold some vintage glassplates though. there was a box of vintage magic lantern slides of airmail and aviation pioneers that i got free with a camera years ago. i sold them to a guy from niceville florida for way more than i paid for the camera &C originally. alot of the images can be found here: http://airmailpioneers.org/

johnnywalker · Nov 14, 2004

bjorke said:
. Biggest bid so far from me was $1600 (ultimately outbid, *sigh*) last year for this print.

A very powerful photograph, as are the others on the website. My Spanish isn't very good anymore. I gather the photos are of some open pit mine in Mexico from years ago. Probably the photographer is famous, but I don't know the name. Can you tell us something about him and his photographs, or where to read (in English) about him?
Thanks,

Jorge · Nov 14, 2004

johnnywalker said:
A very powerful photograph, as are the others on the website. My Spanish isn't very good anymore. I gather the photos are of some open pit mine in Mexico from years ago. Probably the photographer is famous, but I don't know the name. Can you tell us something about him and his photographs, or where to read (in English) about him?
Thanks,

Sebastiao is brazilian, and I beleive the picture is from a mining operation in Chad, but I am not sure. Anyhow, you can read more about him on this link.

http://www.terra.com.br/sebastiaosalgado/

Nope, I was wrong. The picture is from a gold mine in sierra pelada, Brazil.

unohuu · Nov 14, 2004

PS, I am guessing that fewer than 10% of folks here have purchased fine art photographs. Right? Wrong?[/QUOTE]

I have as a way to improve my own photography and to look at something that has artistic merit.

Luke

mfobrien · Nov 14, 2004

I have many of my own prints (and those made by my daughter) hanging, but I have also purchased other's work, too. Usually prints made by other photograpgers are either subjects I don't do or techniques I don't use. Or else it has to be a print that I really, really like. I have given prints away from my own work as gifts, but have not yet tried selling any. Of course, some prints that I would really like to own are too far out of reach for my pocketbook (Weston and Adams).

Ed Sukach · Nov 14, 2004

unohuu said:
PS, I am guessing that fewer than 10% of folks here have purchased fine art photographs. Right? Wrong?

No idea. Why don't you try a survey?

johnnywalker · Nov 14, 2004

Jorge said:
Sebastiao is brazilian.

No wonder I had trouble with his Spanish! :rolleyes:

Here are some more of his photos from the same series. Awesome. However, I'm probably the only guy on the list who wasn't aware of his work.

http://www.zona10.com.mx/autores/Salgado/

removed account4 · Nov 14, 2004

unohuu said:
PS, I am guessing that fewer than 10% of folks here have purchased fine art photographs. Right? Wrong?

i'm still trying to figure out what "fine art photographs" are. they all seem to be the same to me ..... photographs.

boring landscape photography = fine art?
not so boring landscape photography = fine art?
photography that mimics some "master's" style = fine art?
portrait photography = fine art?
nudes = fine art?
architectural photography = fine art?
street photography = fine art?
combat/documentary photography = fine art?

... i spoke with one of the managers at the only local pro-shop in my area.
i asked what kind of photographs he took, he said " fine art " and then described how he projected slides of violence onto serene landscapes.

i guess that explains what "fine art photography" is ... :confused:

jd callow · Nov 14, 2004

jnanian said:
i'm still trying to figure out what "fine art photographs" are. they all seem to be the same to me ..... photographs.

boring landscape photography = fine art?
not so boring landscape photography = fine art?
photography that mimics some "master's" style = fine art?
portrait photography = fine art?
nudes = fine art?
architectural photography = fine art?
street photography = fine art?
combat/documentary photography = fine art?

... i spoke with one of the managers at the only local pro-shop in my area.
i asked what kind of photographs he took, he said " fine art " and then described how he projected slides of violence onto serene landscapes.

i guess that explains what "fine art photography" is ... :confused:

We all have our own ideas of what art is. "Fine Art," to me has become a meaningless label -- like "New and Improved"

For me art is something that exposes, in a unique manner some truth about humankind, be it specific to the individual, culture or the species across time. This leaves nature and nudes near the fringe. I am sure or hope that others have their own criteria.

photomc · Nov 14, 2004

This could be one reason some have started using terms like 'expressive print' which I think is closer to what most of us do. If someone wants to call it 'fine art' that is OK, I guess. Like you though, mrcallow - sounds more like the latest 'carb free' snack, drink, etc. At least we know that the expressive print is our own interpretation of something we saw...wish we could just bypass the label completely.

TPPhotog · Nov 14, 2004

Isn't "fine art" just a label used these days by art galleries to hype the price?

I vaguely remember a well known photography magazine in the UK being asked the same question. All they could come up with was it if was a black and white nude it was "fine art" but if it was colour then it's porn. Seems that even the editor didn't know the answer to this one

roteague · Nov 14, 2004

Daniel Grenier said:
So I am curious as to how many folks here, on a photography forum, do purchase fine art photography. If you do, high praises to you. If you don't. WHY NOT???

I have not purchased any photographs as of yet; I am a big consumer of "coffee-table" style photography books. However, I am planning on purchasing a couple of prints from APUG members in the new year. At the moment, I am working on getting together a selection of my own prints, to place in a local gallery - it costs me almost $300 from starting with a transparency until I get the final framed 11x14 print (the costs come down dramatically after the first print).

roteague · Nov 14, 2004

Satinsnow said:
I think the art of marketing, is more important that the making of the art, that is not to say and unskilled photographer will do great if he is a great marketer, but it does embellish the thought that if you have the skill as an artist, it is imperitive to have the skill as a marketer...

Sadly, I have to agree with you. I've visited a number of local galleries on the island, and found most of the work is just plain c**p; ink-jet prints with blown highlights, poor composition and flat lighting. Not sure how much these guys are selling, but I see their prints in galleries all over the island.

One positive note however, I have had a gallery express a need for very large size prints, which I can easily produce (shooting 4x5).

John McCallum · Nov 14, 2004

johnnywalker said:
A very powerful photograph, as are the others on the website. My Spanish isn't very good anymore. I gather the photos are of some open pit mine in Mexico from years ago. Probably the photographer is famous, but I don't know the name. Can you tell us something about him and his photographs, or where to read (in English) about him?
Thanks,

Salgado took that image in a Gold Mine in Serra Pelada, Para, Brazil in 1986. His is an extraordinary and prolific photographer. If you like those images, buy his book "Workers".

Daniel Grenier · Nov 19, 2004

Just bought another wonderful Nze Palladium print on ebay (a member of our sponsor, The Contact Printers Guild). Again, I was the sole bidder for this terrific print which I bought for a meager $49! What a deal! (for me - certainly not for Nze). I noticed that many of the Guild's prints have gone bid-less over the past weeks - an unfortunate situation for those hard working guys. I would again strongly encourage all APUGers to check out their auctions and bid. You will not regret it.

Nigel Harley · Dec 13, 2004

About 18 months ago I opened a small gallery in Bosham, West Sussex with my girlfriend who makes mosaic tables. It is called www.up-the-creek.co.uk

The hardest part was hitting the price for the customer base. The past 6 months have been very good with about 1 to 2 print sales per week (various sizes) being sold. Local prints go down very well as do my floral studies. I have just recently set up online ordering.... but this will take some time to get off the ground as marketing budjets are very low - this is a self-funding hobby at present

And yes I do buy other photographers work.... if others buy my work, then I should buy others.

Nigel

photography is an art of expression.

colrehogan · Dec 13, 2004

Up until now, I have only traded my b/w silver work (printed by a lab).

I would like to sell some of my alt-process prints, but as I have only recently just started doing my own printing, I have to improve my techniques and get more and different things in my portfolio.

James Bleifus · Dec 13, 2004

I don't have a lot of money so film and other photographic supplies are my priorities (along with food and shelter) but I do buy other peoples' work. Not just photographs but various forms of art. There is something inspiring about having art displayed around me.

Cheers,

James

david b · Dec 13, 2004

I have a very good friend who just bought a HCB for $12500 and is now going to start buying cheaper photographers (up to $3000).

Sean · Dec 13, 2004

jnanian said:
i'm still trying to figure out what "fine art photographs" are. they all seem to be the same to me ..... photographs.

boring landscape photography = fine art?
not so boring landscape photography = fine art?
photography that mimics some "master's" style = fine art?
portrait photography = fine art?
nudes = fine art?
architectural photography = fine art?
street photography = fine art?
combat/documentary photography = fine art?

... i spoke with one of the managers at the only local pro-shop in my area.
i asked what kind of photographs he took, he said " fine art " and then described how he projected slides of violence onto serene landscapes.

i guess that explains what "fine art photography" is ... :confused:

I feel that 'fine art' photographs are more emotionally tied to the artist. I break it down to snapshots, stock type photos, fine art photos -fine art being the ones that dig deep on many levels..

Who here is buying photographs?

gbock

Tom Stanworth

removed account4

johnnywalker

Jorge

unohuu

mfobrien

Ed Sukach

johnnywalker

removed account4

jd callow

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photomc

TPPhotog

roteague

roteague

John McCallum

Daniel Grenier

Nigel Harley

colrehogan

James Bleifus

david b

Sean

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Who here is buying photographs?

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