Digital BW, The Print

> ... an edition usually refers to a specific image
> printed in a specific way and at a specific size.  Some people who make a
> small edition of an image and then wish they had made a larger one get
> around the issue by producing another print at a different size, etc.
>...

The "limited edition" game can be a real scam from what I can see.  On the
other hand, I also see nothing wrong with limiting output to try and market
the photos to collectors who do put a value on scarcity.  

What I'm doing is just saying that I will not make more than 50 archival
display copies of any image.  I define display size as greater than 8x10,
and "archival" means cotton-based paper or Wilhelm >200 years.  I don't
number the prints.  Many start with #5 or whatever.  The date of the print
seems more relevant.

I find that I change the file slightly with most of my prints.  As I learn
more or as my eye changes, I like different things.  The prints reflect
this.  Even if I re-scan some of my old photos -- which need it given the
poor quality of the early scans -- the image numbering and limit stay as is.
It's not a new edition.  So, a print made today may, indeed, be a one of a
kind.  For my limit, I won't play the different size or different paper
game.  I'm just, in effect, trying to tell collectors that there will not be
lots of these images out there that have collectible value.  (Hey, I'll be
lucky if any have collectible value.)

I don't expect to ever be restricted by this 50 limit.  If I'm lucky enough
to have an image that really sells that many, the price will simply go up as
the limit is approached.

I wouldn't be interested in printing more than 50 of any image anyway.
Doing new images is more fun.

The truth is, most of my buyers never ask about any of this.  They just like
the picture and buy it.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com