The Value of Photographic Prints
Do Photographic Prints Have Value?
Previous articles discussed the papers and finishes used for photographs. This article is about selecting affordable artwork for your home or business.
This is a photograph by Jeff Wall. The photo is called “The Well”, so apparently the woman is not digging a grave for her soon to be murdered husband, but she is looking for water. Most of my readers will have never heard of Jeff Wall or his photography. This particular photo was recently sold by Sotheby’s in Great Britain for the equivalent of $770,000 USD! It was a large Cibachrome transparency displayed in a light box, about five feet by eight feet. Please feel free to pick out any of my images for printing in this way and I will charge less than 2% of what Jeff Wall’s print went for!
The point though is that photography has made tremendous inroads in the visual arts world. One reason that Wall’s photos sell at a high price is that he was an innovator. The Guardian (9/16/2017) has described photography as “The Hottest New Investment Choice.” New York Times Magazine (2/25/2007) said that in the fifteen years from 1992 to 2007 the priced photo in those two years went from $115 thousand to $2.5 million. Compare that to the increase in the highest prices for a painting, an increase little more than inflation. While the crash of 2008 cooled the art market for paintings considerably, the public’s recognition of photography has only increased its value. This is likely because it is easier to relate to photography subjects and photography fans are recognizing distinct styles. Also, it is easier to find a photograph that the buyer can relate to. In other words, people may buy photographic prints because they like them visually just as much as they do as an investment.
Let’s rule out that any of us PhotoBoomers are going to sell prints for tens of thousands of dollars. The words applied most often to up and coming artists and their works are “emerging” (maybe we are emerging as in from a shell), young (nope!), vintage (referring to the photo style, not the photographer), and a unique (really difficult to achieve and stick to). Most Photoboomers are out there just for the enjoyment of visiting new locations and discovering their own creativity. Selling a print, usually to a friend or business acquaintance, is all the feathers needed in one’s cap.
But what if you are in the market for a photographic print for your home or office and you feel fine (as you should) to not buy from a friend? Let’s assume that you wouldn’t be a paddle holder at a Sotheby’s auction, but you are comfortable with three or four figures. Here are some strategies for finding the right piece from the right artist.
Decide that you will buy something you will enjoy looking at or showing off for many years. This is easiest if you can get lost in the piece. You may even see something new each time you gaze upon it. If your room just needs a color boost, going with a sunrise or sunset is fine, but there can be additional considerations. Does the play of light keep you in the print and direct you sequentially to different areas? Are there subjects of interest within the print, or do distractions that move your focus uncomfortably away from the subjects? Does the print evoke an emotional response? These features all increase the inherent value of an artwork for you.
Decide on a genre that seems to really appeal to you. For example, if you like landscapes you are going to find literally hundreds if not thousands of artists to choose from. Same with abstracts or street scenes or just about any genre. But at least narrow it down. Perhaps you have seen in a gallery, at an art fair, or you may have even searched online at websites like Fine Art America. Finding just a few artists you like is a great beginning. Then get to know something about them. Doing this research can be both fun and educational, so get at it!
Whether you are gathering or adding to a collection, try to make it cohesive. You may want to collect Southwest art, but the styles of Southwest art you choose could differ considerably. Or you may want all watercolors of gardens by just a couple of artists with similar styles.
Once you have found some artists, do some further research to see if you can locate their personal websites. While Fine Art America, Getty Images and other websites may sell for the artist, the artist will be paying a commission and you are less likely to be able to buy original paintings from those sites. For example, I found a painter named Johnathan Harris on Fine Art America. He paints colorful western landscapes of many locations I have photographed. His personal website is here. On his website, there are a number of paintings identified that are available as originals. Because Giclee prints can be printed in single numbers, painters no longer have to print all their prints at once, so they can directly oversee the printing process rather than placing a large production house in charge. This is another valid reason to buy direct from the artist.
The next decision you have to make is on size. If you are looking for a piece to go over a sofa or fireplace, you may want an artwork that is quite large. Not all artists produce large pieces or they may produce just a few large pieces. Giclee prints of paintings are usually just available in limited sizes up to the size of the original piece. If you are looking for larger, affordable options, photography may be the answer. The photographer may print a few different sizes or even customize a size for your needs.
Are you okay with open editions? You have to really like a print to accept that your neighbor may have have the same unlimited edition print on their wall. While the relative scarcity of a limited edition print by most artists may questionable value, you can count on those limited editions being produced with more quality controls, on better papers and with better inks. As covered in the article on Print Decisions, most limited edition prints can last a hundred years or more with just reasonable care.
Do traditional techniques appeal more to you than more recent advances in the art? For example, acrylic paints have been available for less than 100 years. You may prefer classical oil paintings. Or you may prefer photographic prints that started out in a large format film camera and were then brought to life in a darkroom. Yes, there are still photographers who devote their lives to this art! Because there are many fewer of these artists who are active, their work is more likely to be considered collectible, especially if their style is unique. But stick with what you enjoy!
There is one last item to consider. Many artists and galleries allow you to place an artwork in your home and exchange it within a certain period of time if it isn’t quite what you need color or size wise. If you are one to question some of your decisions, look for this option. Except for investors, the value of a photograph is tied into how much you enjoy it and whether it enhances the area where it is displayed.
Next month we will discuss why artists starve.
RS