Photographic Art- What is it? What's it worth?

[iCe]

I went to the Rockport Art Festival yesterday. All in all I enjoyed the time I spent there. There were 11 photography exhibits (if I counted correctly). Out of the 11 I saw one exhibit that really caught my attention (large format camera just switching to digital), a couple that were pretty good (digital printed on canvas and stretched), and the rest fell into the "I've got better stuff than that catagory" (didn't even care to ask what medium they were using).

I went mostly because I was interested to see what people were selling and how much they were charging for it. But I also enjoy seeing the talents of others (and there was a lot of talent exhibited there).

Some thoughts-

• Art shows are a lot of work for the artist
• Art shows are not a way to make your retirement. They are a way to spend your retirement.
• Art shows look like fun but the look like they are a lot of work
• Print it big and people might buy it no matter what the composition is or how bad the composition is

So

What is photographic art to you?
What is YOUR art worth to you?

[Duffy Pratt]

For me, photographic art is any picture without sentimental value that I would like to have on my walls, or in a book to look at over and over again, just for the thrill of seeing it.

When you ask about "YOUR" art, I'm not sure if you mean art that I have bought from others, or art that I have made (assuming there is any). For photos that I have bought, the answer is not much. I think the most expensive photo in the house cost about $180. For photos that I have taken, it is even harder to say, because they all have some sentimental value -- I remember where I was when they were taken and what was going on at that time of my life.

If I were going to sell anything at an art show, or similar venue, I would price it pretty high. No-one wants to buy bargain art. Paying a high price helps people confirm their own good taste. (That's basically how Gucci got rich selling junk.)

Duffy

[iCe]

"YOUR art" is any photograph that YOU consider to be art.

If I were going to sell anything at an art show, or similar venue, I would price it pretty high.

That's what I thought too but that doesn't appear to be the case at art shows. At least not the one that I went to.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Even at some of the juried shows there are some schlock photographic art being sold, just say that it is a limited run of 40 or so, sign with a gold ink pen or black ink on the mat and make it at least 14x10 and you can pretty much tag $200 or more on the piece and sell a couple at a show if you have a diverse enough portfolio. But setting for 3 days at a show in all types of weather locking money up in inventory that may just get damaged at the show and paying a fee to exhibit isn't a way to become rich but to get exposure. But if you go the gallery route the expense can be higher and the returns lower if you don't watch all your p's and q's.

Really how many photographers make it by just selling pics to the public at these show?

The answer to the $64,000? Could just make you very happy, selling it for $50 a pop.

[iCe]

Originally Posted by DEMDeepEllumMusic

Even at some of the juried shows there are some schlock photographic art being sold, just say that it is a limited run of 40 or so, sign with a gold ink pen or black ink on the mat and make it at least 14x10 and you can pretty much tag $200 or more on the piece and sell a couple at a show if you have a diverse enough portfolio. But setting for 3 days at a show in all types of weather locking money up in inventory that may just get damaged at the show and paying a fee to exhibit isn't a way to become rich but to get exposure. But if you go the gallery route the expense can be higher and the returns lower if you don't watch all your p's and q's.

Really how many photographers make it by just selling pics to the public at these show?

The answer to the $64,000? Could just make you very happy, selling it for $50 a pop.

It seems to me that the "business" of photography is distinctly separate from the "art" of photography. I saw many more business people at the show than I did photographers and I only saw one that seemd to have both bases covered (his stuff captured and held your attention).

I wonder what the long time professionals think of what the "digital revolution" has done to the market?

[iCe]

I can't remember how I got to Carol Burch-Brown's website but I'm glad that I did. Here "Trailers" portfolio is... well... it is hard to describe.

[Killeenguy]

photographic art... well that's the same as "art" in general.

If the demand for the artist or his style or just the scheme of his concept work is of any interest to the comunity then that's how much worth his product is. it's like the stock market but on a much smaller scale.

[NathanJK]

I've always wondered about this myself and intend to go down to the art show that goes on a lot at the blue star complex sometime to see what others are peddling. I have always been concerned about trying it myself since it does require tying up your money in prints you dont know will sell. I dunno if I would ever do it but it is kinda interesting to see what others come up with!