Selling a Photograph

[lubitel]

Well I'll be damned. Somebody actually wants to buy a print from me. Never sold one. Now with paintings, its relatively simple. Paint it, sign it, sell as is. But with Photos... Do Photographers actually sign their work? If so then where?

The negative has been scanned and modified in PS, so I it will be printed from a digital file, in a local photo store. What kind of paper should I use? Any other tips?

thanks.

 

[kbg32]

I usually sign on the back. Around where the bottom edge of the image would be, on the right side when you flip the print over. If it is titled or captioned, I put that on the left side. C


Congratulations!

 

[Stephan]

You could do a stylised vectorial signature with illustrator or freehand for example to put on your prints.

 

[aizan]

sign and date in pencil as kbg described. don't write on the front like a n00b! 😀

 

[lubitel]

I think I'd rather sign it by hand.

What about paper, is there a certain kind thats best suited for "artsy prints".
Then I could say something like "This has been printed on xx Archival, xx quality Paper, and signed with a Sharpie extra bold" 🙂

 

[Marc Jutras]

Apparently (from the print swap rules page), if you're using RC paper, it's OK to use a fine sharpie (since pencil won't work) on the back, in an area of the image that is dark enough so that the writing won't show through the paper.

 

[T_om]

Standard artists protocol applies to prints just as to other art work.

They are: If the print is mounted, date and sign on the mount below the lower right corner (facing the print). If the photo has a title, it goes below the lower left corner of the print. If the print is unmounted, sign in the lower border, just as you would if mounted. If there is no border, sign the back.

(The use of Sharpie ink markers and Gel pens is considered bad form and amateurish in art markets, HOWEVER, with today’s resin coated papers the thin line Sharpie Markers may be used just as you would a pencil to sign a print.)

Please note, the only time you sign the back is when there is NO border or mount to sign on front. The front side is ALWAYS the favored side.

Tom

 

[StuartR]

I was looking at some Henri-Cartier Bresson prints the other day that were signed on the back...and they had borders. I think it is just up to the artist. I agree with your guidelines though, that's how I do it. As for what paper? For a good pearl/semi gloss, I recommend Ilford Galerie. If you want a matte style, you should consider Epson Velvet Fine Art or one of the more specialty papers like Bergger (whose vccb warmtome semi-gloss fiber paper is just heaven in a traditional dark room).

 

[Poptart]

Does god sign the sky?

 

[theory]

Is there any sort of particular pencil that should be used when signing a print, or just any old graphite will do?

I'm curious because I'm displaying some pictures at my school in the near future.

 

[aizan]

4-6b for fiber. micron by sakura for rc.

 

[ch1]

Well I'll be damned. Somebody actually wants to buy a print from me. Never sold one. Now with paintings, its relatively simple. Paint it, sign it, sell as is. But with Photos... Do Photographers actually sign their work? If so then where?

The negative has been scanned and modified in PS, so I it will be printed from a digital file, in a local photo store. What kind of paper should I use? Any other tips?

thanks.

The October 2005 issue of PopPhoto has an article dealing with this subject. Not much of a fan of the mag but this article might be useful for ideas regarding paper.

As for signatures...seems like a lot of folks here have various protocols for you to follow ... guess it's "dealer's choice"!

 

[T_om]

Does god sign the sky?

Why, yes... he does.

I saw one of his signed creations the other day. Take a look.

By the way, God's name is Herman. I've seen lots of his stuff. Pretty good too.

Tom

PS: A standard protocol is just that, a standard... like the sunny sixteen rule. It does not mean everyone sticks to it all the time.

 

[Aardvark Aallen]

Does god sign the sky?

every day.

 

[ch1]

Does god sign the sky?

No, She doesn't.

 

[xcapekey]

saw some ralph gibson prints at a gallery and he signed on the back in pencil...

 

[nwcanonman]

I use a rubber stamp with my full name and the copyright sign- © (date in ink) - on all prints and slides that leave my hand.

 

[Stephan]

Does god sign the sky?

Depends what you've been smoking when you stare at the clouds 😱

 

[TPPhotog]

I usually find that framed pictures are easier to sell as they buyer doesn't have to go to the trouble of getting the post production work done.

I date and sign on the mount below the lower right corner with a graphite pencil and if the photo has a title it goes in the lower left corner of the mount.

 

[hoot]

I use a rubber stamp with my full name and the copyright sign- © (date in ink) - on all prints and slides that leave my hand.

Uh, how exactly do you stamp a slide? 😀