januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
I started entering competition at my local art league, had several juried in over the months there and in Maryland and New York, but never a sale. I inadvertently under-priced one in Annapolis and it sold. This month I had my wife run into the Art League to enter 2 photos and she, again, put down a price lower than I had (I thought) told her. It sold, too.
I guess either I have found my price point or I have come to the realization that the economy has hit everywhere and people just do not have the cash to spare for wall art as they once did.
What was shocking was - I didn't care that I didn't get what I had thought the photograph was worth - or that there wasn't a big cash reward for me; the reward was in finding that someone, not a relative, had found my photograph interesting enough to display on their wall. I can accept that, now. Has anyone felt the same, or had a similar experience? Big burden off my shoulders to discover this about myself.
I find it better that I shoot what I want, what I think is "art" and not just an assignment or a job - happily I am still employed, and still able to do that. I'm not putting down people who must shoot to feed themselves, but it feels good to be appreciated for my vision. Such as it is. Helped my morale a lot, too, needless to say.
UPDATE/ P.S. - Of the two I sold, one was taken nearly 40 years ago with a Yashica Minister D fixed lens RF! The other was a couple of years back, a Bessa R and Jupiter 9. Go figure.
I guess either I have found my price point or I have come to the realization that the economy has hit everywhere and people just do not have the cash to spare for wall art as they once did.
What was shocking was - I didn't care that I didn't get what I had thought the photograph was worth - or that there wasn't a big cash reward for me; the reward was in finding that someone, not a relative, had found my photograph interesting enough to display on their wall. I can accept that, now. Has anyone felt the same, or had a similar experience? Big burden off my shoulders to discover this about myself.
I find it better that I shoot what I want, what I think is "art" and not just an assignment or a job - happily I am still employed, and still able to do that. I'm not putting down people who must shoot to feed themselves, but it feels good to be appreciated for my vision. Such as it is. Helped my morale a lot, too, needless to say.
UPDATE/ P.S. - Of the two I sold, one was taken nearly 40 years ago with a Yashica Minister D fixed lens RF! The other was a couple of years back, a Bessa R and Jupiter 9. Go figure.
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axiom
Non-Registered User
Can we see them?
Bingley
Veteran
Congrats, Jim, on the sales!
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
You certainly can see them:
BESSA R/JUPITER 9 ILFORD XP-2 (settings long forgotten)
and this last I actually have since re-scanned prior to printing, so it has better quality, and printed at straight B&W, no toning:
YASHICA MINISTER D / KODAK TRI-X/D-76 (40 years old or so)
@Bingley:
-- Thanks, Steve --
BESSA R/JUPITER 9 ILFORD XP-2 (settings long forgotten)
and this last I actually have since re-scanned prior to printing, so it has better quality, and printed at straight B&W, no toning:
YASHICA MINISTER D / KODAK TRI-X/D-76 (40 years old or so)
@Bingley:
-- Thanks, Steve --
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robklurfield
eclipse
Jim, the shot of the veiled woman is absolutely gorgeous.
I'm curious what size these prints were and how you (really, your wife) priced them. I recently had some ask to buy a print based on an image I have on flickr and I have no idea how I ought to price it.
congrats!
I'm curious what size these prints were and how you (really, your wife) priced them. I recently had some ask to buy a print based on an image I have on flickr and I have no idea how I ought to price it.
congrats!
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
Thanks, Rob. They were both 12x18 photos-
the first, "High Wire Act" was printed w/pigment ink and framed by me (framedestination framing kit) in a 20x26 gray wooden frame. Archival quality. Wanted it priced at $265, but the listing was mis-printed and sold for $165. Gallery retained 30%
the second but earliest, titled "Angela" was printed and framed by MPix last year, before I did my own, it was framed in 16x22 metal frame w/glass, sold in frame at $165. Gallery retained either 30 or 40%, can't recall. I think the buyer was a woman at the reception I was noticing who had to squat to see the photo (bad displaying in this place, with stuff crammed into every inch of wall space) and looked at it for, it seemed, minutes. She then returned later and did the same. That was rewarding in and of itself!
That's it!
the first, "High Wire Act" was printed w/pigment ink and framed by me (framedestination framing kit) in a 20x26 gray wooden frame. Archival quality. Wanted it priced at $265, but the listing was mis-printed and sold for $165. Gallery retained 30%
the second but earliest, titled "Angela" was printed and framed by MPix last year, before I did my own, it was framed in 16x22 metal frame w/glass, sold in frame at $165. Gallery retained either 30 or 40%, can't recall. I think the buyer was a woman at the reception I was noticing who had to squat to see the photo (bad displaying in this place, with stuff crammed into every inch of wall space) and looked at it for, it seemed, minutes. She then returned later and did the same. That was rewarding in and of itself!
That's it!
axiom
Non-Registered User
Yes. They are definitely good!
I guess the 2nd one was scanned in color?
I guess the 2nd one was scanned in color?
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
Thank you. Yes. Scanned in color on a Canon Canonscan flatbed, kept the tones that carried over; it had many scratches and dust motes that needed poking and fixing one by one using Photoshop. When I bought a Nikon Coolscan Ved I re did all my "good" old negatives that never looked right, got higher resolution and sharpness. Still, without being able to use ICE, scanning was a chore and retouching this was a nightmare that I will never do again. Unless technology makes the process easier.
anu L ogy
Well-known
I've never tried to sell or been asked to sell a print, but I can imagine that someone buying two of your prints after seeing them on a wall is a pretty good feeling. Congrats!
Haigh
Gary Haigh
Congrats Jim on your recent sales. I am on a age pension and can photograph what ever seems to whisper to me. I am happy that some people love them but if they didn't I would just continue to take pictures of the often mysterious things I encounter rather than an assignment, though that has been known to happen.
Naumoski
Well-known
The portrait of the bride is magnificent and so nostalgic. Impressive.
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
Thanks, Gary -- We share a common philosophy.
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januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
Thank you. It had been a favorite of mine but, it being so old, I never thought to enter it anywhere. I guess I was surprised anyone else liked it.
oftheherd
Veteran
Nice photos. I would love to see the bird photo for real, not just on my crappy monitor.
vfrazz
vincent
...I'm with Gary (including the pension), and I like the word "whisper" as it relates to his photography...I've done a number of solo shows and a number of juried shows, but never sold a thing...a couple of friends have asked casually, but in the beginning I simply didn't want to part with my work--there was too much effort put into the things (home processed silver prints), and later I thought to myself that photographing for the market would change my outlook (maybe from whisper to shout?), which might just be an excuse for some sort discomfort at pricing or overpricing or ?...the question for the original poster is: has becoming commercial changed even the slightest as to how and what you will photograph?
http://www.vincentfrazzettaphotography.com
http://www.vincentfrazzettaphotography.com
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
Commercial? Me? No no no no no. I don't do a darn thing different from what I've been doing my whole life, as long as I've owned or used a camera. I shoot because I like it. The only thing I do differently is, when there's a contest or show that I think is interesting, I flip through Lightroom to find my favorite shot(s), pick a candidate or two and print them out. Then I order a frame if I have none left, put it together and deliver or send to where it needs to go.
Let me note my wife and another (paintings) artist living nearby have been trying to get me to take the kind of pictures people like to hang on their walls. I have no idea what that would be, or how to do that. I get heated at the insistence that I change. Why would I stop doing what I enjoy, take it on as a "job" to be paid an amount (profit) that I could earn in a day or less at my real job?
I just luckily was seen by someone who likes the same type of image I like. That's why it sold. That AND the fact that some ordinary-looking-to-me photos were going for $500! Come on! Really? $500 for a color photo of an old door?
Enough ranting. Thanks for asking. I won't be changing anytime soon. But I've seen others that have, so I know what you mean.
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
Nice of you to say, but it's pretty much what you see. A high contrast shot that I ran through PS, accentuating that contrast so there are virtually no gray tones.
barnwulf
Well-known
Congratulations Jim. I too like to see my photographs framed and on the wall for viewing. I sold a few photographs and it is very nice and encouraging when others come along and pay for one of your photographs so they too can hang it on the wall and enjoy it. I don't try to shoot for others, only for myself. I used to shoot scenic landscapes which do have some sales potential if they are done well. I am now shooting all black and white and my subject matter has changed a lot. I know they are not as likely to sell but I really don't care. I would still like to show my photographs and to hear any comments about them. If I sell one or two, great but, I do them just to hang them up for myself and anyone that cares to look at them. I enjoy seeing others hesitate and look over one of my photographs for a few moments. Of course it's nice when they make a positive comment but even if they don't, the fact that they took the time is payment enough.
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
That's the way I look at it, too, Barnwulf. Sort of like the saying that you have to be comfortable in your own skin.
fotomeow
name under my name
the close up portrait is fantastic, not only the B&W qualities but her sublime expression behind the veil. Its certainly a luxury to shoot what we want for pleasure rather than for economic survival, and your post is inspiring.