Digital BW, The Print

Your edition outline sounds fine Mark, Any Gallery would except it. Here is 
what really happens. Lets say you have a portfolio of prints for sale all on 
editioned 16x20 papers. Guaranteed there will be a call from the Gallery 
about a client who wants a 20x24 or maybe even an 8x10 or even an image 
flipped to face the other way. Questionable business practice? after all its 
the gallery asking if you will make the "different print" Your could end up 
being the "no" guy which is fine.
Most of us don't want to lose a sale, and these types of buyers pay top 
money. I think the best approach, if you think the image has wide appeal is 
to make the edition 50 and if an occasional odd size gets printed it comes 
out of the 50. Better yet, do what the photographers you admire do. I have 
made mistakes (plenty of them) I made a second edition of 20x24's numbered to 
25 with my first #'ed to 50. Now I wish it was one edition. Hell I'm learning 
the game too and there is a lot too it. Regarding savvy investors, there like 
big corporate clients, cheap! First thing they do is pose as Architects, 
designers, etc., and ask for a trade discount 15-25% the discount is almost 
always given, split between the gallery and artist. The savvy investor bets 
his money on a possible rising star, or takes advantage of a dealer artist 
who don't know what they have. Like great work just starting out. It wasn't 
very long ago that Michael Kenna Prints went for 750, now they start at 
1500.00 and are sold out almost before his shows finish touring the country. 
These are 8x10's!Most of the Photography I see in galleries is over priced 
some probably worth it, I have my eye on a 3000.00 piece ;0) but the good 
news is crap doesn't sell at any price and there is a lot of out there. 
Galleries, investors, are all taking gambles there are no sure things, just 
instinct. I'm sure you've noticed what the entry level gallery prices are, 
usually 450-1000 and a little bit more for larger prints, Success at that 
level, about 3 years, leads to the 1500-2000 range and so on. I seen great 
entry level work priced @1500.00 only to get skunked because no one knew who 
the artist was. Hell, another 500.00 can buy you tons of name photographers. 
My point, hell I don't no ;0)
Basically savvy investors look for good work at bargain basement prices. I do 
know I have an image close to a sell out at 50 and I will retire it at that 
number no more of any size. Looks good when shoppers see that there have been 
sell outs.
Some thoughts and rambles thats all!
Steve M.
Snip,>>>>>  , 
In a message dated 11/18/2002 6:29:37 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
mark@... writes:

> Right now, I'd say that 
> there are many savvy buyers/investors out there who know how 
> the game is played -- ie, there's always that chance that they'll 
> pay top dollar for a print, under the guise of a limited edition, only 
> to be informed later that a whole NEW edition has been 
> introduced "in a new color", or "in a new size". Who on this list 
> can look me in the eye and tell me that's not a questionable 
> business practice? (Whether it's done every day is no 
> justification, either).
> 
> Hell, given this behavior, there's no wonder that the prices are 
> staying low; photographers seem to be their worst enemies.
> 
> -----
> 
> I am asking ALL of these questions under the heading of: "I don't 
> know and I'm trying to learn", so please read them with that in 
> mind. I'm a commercial hack, and all this art-talk is new to me. 
> And, as you can see from my writing, no words are over three 
> syllables, so keep your responses simple.
> 
> Thanks very much,
> 
> MT, http://marktucker.com/
> 
> 



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