Smith/Chamlee Azo Portfolio

Jim Chinn said:

if I had $10,500 to spend on a photography I would probably opt for a single Callahan, Siskind, Gibson or Brett Weston. Maybe a few Wynn Bullock prints are available for that price.

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They aren't selling them to you. (please don't take this personally,just making a point) Suppose you are a well healed collector, and you already have several prints from many famous photographers, wouldn't you want to spend a percentage of your collection budget on contemporary photographers? It even makes sense from an investment perspective, the risk is very high but the payoff if it becomes collectable is tremendous. A Brett Weston mendenhall may be a safe investment, but I don't think it would ever give a huge increase in value. I am sure he printed hundreds of these.
I am sure having contemporary photographers in your collection would make it much more interesting and 'alive' as well.

All the talk about valuation is really pretty absurd. Just because I can't afford a ferrari doesn't mean the price should change. However, If I absolutely had to drive somewhere remote here in NM (and be there on time), and had the choice of my civic or a ferrari, I would take my civic, as I would not want to get stranded. What is a ferrari worth to me now?

I will sell 500 sheets of AZO contact paper for my cost if the purchaser buys my single copy of "Fence at Noon", which was in many exhibits in 1973. I am asking for $10,000 and will make a donation to a needy photographer.

Curt

I feel that Michael and Paula have set a very high market value for their photography, which is not only good for them, but is also good for all other photographers who are trying to make a living on selling prints. Even when you see one of their prints come up for auction, they still sell for around their normal price!

With knowing the normal price they sell their images for, the $10,750 is a good deal for someone who collects their work. I believe their print prices are 1,000 for Paula's 8x10's, and around 2,000 for Michaels 8x20's. These prices are not far off other top photographers prices, such as Kenna, Sturges, Sexton ect. With the quality and craftsmanship of work they are producing, I feel their prints can warrent this price.

If I were a millionaire, or won the lotto big, I would surly purchase one of their portfolios. Not only because I admire their work, but also for investment/collection purposes. The money is also going to a good cause which in results, helps me because I'm an AZO printer as well. Also, I don't forsee the value of their prints ever going down in the future, only up.

Personally, I prefer alot of Michael's work over Paula's, but both photographers have a unique vision and quite different work, so it's like compairing apples to oranges. However, they both have made great acomplishments in their photography and I admire them both for that.

I wish them luck selling portfolios and in the development of the new AZO.

Ryan McIntosh
www.RyanMcIntosh.net

Maybe all the chasing after AZO alternatives is a mistake? Perhaps it's time to try something new. Could it be that a change in materials might actually invigorate MES's work?

Hmmm. I wonder if, in a few years time, Brooks Jensen will be offering a ten-print portfolio for $200 to preserve the manufacture of Epson printers...

Money making scheme?