Buying photographs

I have not been in the market for works priced much above $300, as the reality of being a photog myself comes down to spending more than $1000 on a print, or on a lens/camera/darkroom toy, and the lens/camera/darkroom toy usually wins. However, I am planning on buying a John Dugdale print soon, when he produces it (I was there when he shot the image). That, I'll pay whatever his market rate is, not only because it will be a great image, but because it has personal significance.

I'll agree that I don't buy anything regardless of price if I don't like the image. Using that as a criteria winnows out 95% of the choices out there in the first place, as there is SO much dreck being palmed off as art.

I started buying prints about 10 years ago. I buy them for my office walls and I look at them every day. The first rule for me is that I have to love the photograph. While I buy them for the office, every once in a while my wife will lay claim to one for our house. One of my favorite prints is by Ryuijie. My wife confiscated it for our living room.

I knew I had accumulated a number of prints, but I just counted the ones on the wall and I have 19 hanging right now. I have at least that many in boxes. I rotate the prints every 6 month or so. I have several Sextons, a couple each from MAS and Paula, Ryuijie, Kim Weston, William Blunt, Witherhill (pre-digital), M. Bayer, Fagen, Nze etc.

I find that the prints inspire me. And, I always compare my work to the prints to see if I am meeting the technical standards of photographers I admire. I have a rail hanging on the wall surrounded by photographs. I will put my photographs on the rail to live with them for a while before final matting. I find it beneficial to see my prints in the context of hanging with prints by photographers I admire.

Lately, I have been buying prints from lesser known photographers.

I used to buy a lot of photography books. But, I calculated how much I was spending on books and figured that I could buy prints instead. Three to four books equals one print. I enjoy the prints more than book reproductions and it helps the photographer who is starting out.

Collecting

I'll go along with most of what Allen said above. I have several Bravos printed by his wife. ($1,000 each) Three great photos by Barbara Crane picked up for a song in the seventies. A photo by Martin Tarter who taught along with Fred Picker. Several Nze prints who by the way sells on Ebay and is practically giving away the work. One by Scott Killian.A wonderful Platinum from 1948 by Kipton Kumler; and one by Alan Sauus and several by Lois Lord an early platinum and silver printer(in her 80's now!) Many others by Photographers found right here on Apug. Do not buy for investment. Buy because you like the work. You'll
see your investment go up regardless if you have the least bit good taste.
The main reason as stated but I'll say it again: "you will learn more about Photography by owning several well made prints that you like than any other resource." They will be a source of inspiration for years to come. They will make you a BETTER printer because you will have a base reference to look at in the flesh. If you want to make great prints then buy some!!!
Best, Peter

severian said:

Has anyone out there plunked down a considerable amount of money for a fine art photograph? Lets say over $500.00.

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Yes.. And I love to collect the work of other photographers. Actually $500 is on the lower end these days when buying work from galleries for established photographers. Although most won't admit it, represented photographers will often sell their work directly to collectors. It is sometimes better to try to establish contact with the photographer directly as you will often get a break of up to 50% off prices charged by representing galleries. I've purchased a few this way, but I won't "out" the photographers. I've also purchased work by Lewis Hine, Edward Weston, Karl Struss, Holly Roberts, Lou Stoumen and a few more through the usual gallery channels. I have also on occasion taken prints from better known photographers as payment from a couple of my galleries for prints of mine that were sold. Trades with friends and contemporaries have also netted some wonderful work... Jesse Alexander, Kim Weston, Ion Zupcu, Chip Forelli, Lance Keimig, etc. I also have to admit flipping a few images for their investment value. Sometimes you come across a great deal that you know you can resell easily at a profit. It is just too good to pass up. All in all I am with the others saying that buying for investment isn't the way to go. I've known a few collectors that began in the 70's collecting just what they liked and have now sold portions of their collections for upwards of a million dollars. Not a bad investment after all!

Bill

lee said:

I bought 2 Edward Weston Shell prints that were printed by Cole... I paid $65 each for the EW/CWs

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Lee, those prints will bring you at least $6,000 now. VERY few remain after Cole's death and as far as I know, all have been sold by the family and are now with dealers or private collectors. Ever want to part with them, let me know. Good job.

Bill