Some people love collecting paintings while others feel fascinated with high-quality photographs. It was not easy taking these photos, and there was an extensive thought process that went on in the photographer’s mind before capturing them. The images also speak a lot and framing them to become a display in your living room or a part of your collection would be a perfect idea. If you intend to start a photography collection, or you have already started, these are some tips to help you buy the ideal addition.
See if it hits you in the gut
People react to images in different ways. If a photo speaks to you directly, you will feel like someone punched you in the gut. It is one way to know that you have already found the best picture to purchase. Each time you see it at home or if you enter your collection room, you will have the same emotional response. It is what makes the artwork effective.
Check the editions
The first thing you will ask is the edition number of the photo that you intend to buy. Stop asking if the picture is original. Anything printed from a negative is original. Therefore, it makes no sense to ask that question. You need to know how many copies are in that edition. If the number is small, it means that only limited copies are available, and it increases the value of the photograph.
Choose vintage prints
Vintage might come across as something old for you. It does not mean though that the photo you are looking at is literally old. Vintage means that the photographer printed the photo around the same time as the first copy. Valuable photos considered as vintage fall within the first five years after the printing of the first photo. However, some artists are quite stringent in their definition of vintage which includes copies printed at the same time as the first copy.
Determine if you have a storage area
Photographs are sensitive. Printing requires paper and ink. Both materials could change over time. They might also get easily destroyed without proper care. Therefore, you need to ensure that before you purchase anything, you have a good storage room.
Damages to the photo like marks and scratches could reduce its value. Colour changes might also have the same effect. If you are purchasing vintage photos that have been around for quite a while, these issues might be forgivable. However, if you are buying works done by contemporary photographers, you should not say yes even to small blemishes.
Buy the photos in a frame which will protect them entirely. Sloppy framing could also damage the images. Make sure that the frame uses the right kind of glass that does not allow UV light to damage the picture.
Now that you understand these guidelines, you are ready to buy the next photo to add to your collection. You can check out Printed Editions Fine Art if you want to purchase online now.
Image: Unsplash.com
