A Novice Collector’s Guide: What You Need to Know About Fine Art Photography
Sweeping the world right now is a unique interest in a specific form of artistic expression – fine art photography. The attention it gets comes from all over the globe. Its appeal extends to art lovers, novice collectors, connoisseurs, and people who simply want something beautiful to look at.
If you want to start collecting photographic art prints, then we at Winter Museo are happy to share valuable tips with you. We hope that this simple guide can help you build a fantastic collection of high-quality, original art prints that will please your eyes and move your soul.
Photography As Art
What is art to you could be something that is not art to another person. Identifying something as art can be subjective and depends on each person’s beliefs, personal tastes, and set of experiences.
If we go with dictionary definitions, art is a variety of multi-disciplinary activities that expresses the creator’s concept, imagination, or technical skill. It can include traditional arts such as painting, music, literature, sculpture, architecture, film, or the performing arts.
Art has also evolved. With the introduction of modern technology, artistic expression has taken various forms. While photography was widely popular from its inception, it was considered a technical craft rather than an art form.
Innovators such as Alfred Stieglitz, Ansel Adams and their collaborators have greatly influenced how the world viewed photography as art. Their images’ unique composition and quality elevated photography as an art and proved to the world that photographic images could stand on their own as creative expressions.
Contemporary art prints, illustration art, and modern art prints are just some of the most coveted art pieces in the world today. Here are some of the key points you should consider when curating your own fine art photography collection:
1. Importance of Editions
When looking for fine art prints, you must understand the importance of editions. Some photographers create a series of photographic works and sell them as exclusive edition pieces. Others would only offer one-offs, while still some would go for a limited number of prints only.
Producing only a one-of-its-kind piece or releasing just a few copies increases each piece’s value. Limiting the versions of the photographic prints ensures a level of scarcity in the market. This tactic drives demand and prevents the value of each work of art from depreciating.
When starting a collection, you would want to go for pieces with value that would appreciate over time. Limited edition pieces, vintage prints, or rare prints from independent artists are some of the choices that would make excellent additions to your collection.
2. Craftsmanship and Reputation
Whether you prefer purchasing from established artists or emerging ones, the decision is entirely up to you. What is rather crucial for you to consider is the craftsmanship of each fine art piece.
Sure, a lot of people can claim that they take great photos. However, you should consider the photographer’s skills, the caliber of the equipment they use, and the way the photographer combined these to produce a superb picture.
Look at how the photographer used color, light, and composition to create a captivating image. The consistency of an artist’s work should also be a prime consideration when purchasing fine art prints.
3. Quality and Condition
When you’re shopping for fine art prints, make sure to check their quality and condition. At Winter Museo, for example, we only print our artwork on museum-quality archival paper and package the prints with acid free, archival quality glassine paper.
The care taken when printing on superior paper is a time-tested technique and gives an artwork a dramatic effect. It also helps achieve more detail for photographs. Black and white prints can look stunning on high-quality paper, for example.
4. Source from Reputable Sellers
When buying a photographic art print, make sure to only purchase from trusted shops. Doing so will ensure that you have authentic images that have been produced and handled meticulously.
As an online destination for quality photographic art prints, we at Winter Museo carefully vet our creators so you can buy with confidence. Each limited edition photo is hand-signed by the artist. Also, we hold on to your payment until you inform us that you have received your order. These actions give you security and peace of mind.
5. Handling and Care
To ensure that your collection will last for a long time, you should know how to care for and handle your pieces correctly. Humidity, light, and temperature can all affect the condition of a photograph or art print.
Handle your prints wearing microfiber gloves to avoid making direct contact with its surface, avoid hanging them in direct or intense light, and know whether you can hang your artwork in humid areas.
Worth a Thousand Words
Indeed, a picture is worth a thousand words. You can give one fine art print so many interpretations based on your understanding of the subject, the photographer, your moods, or other existing factors that can contribute to your current state of mind while looking at the picture.
Building a collection of fine photographic art can be daunting, yet it can also be deeply satisfying. Take note of the tips mentioned above and start curating your fine art print pieces with delight. Browse through our shop today for fine art prints that would look great in your space.
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