View Full Version : Do you collect?
G Benaim
17-Oct-2008, 09:56
Photographs, that is, not equipment. If so, whom do you have in your collection, and where do you usually buy photos? Just curious, as I'm starting to sell my own work and am also interested in starting a collection of other people's stuff.
GB
hi gb
i collect photographs ..
mostly portraits i find in second hand shops.
i have a few photo albums i also bought, and they were "pre-filled" with vacation photos ---
turn of the century ( last ) tourist photographs and post cards of exotic places (ancient world ).
i also have a ton of 1920s formal portraits that were given to me ...
Daniel Grenier
17-Oct-2008, 10:41
I do collect and I have bought from photographers, from art galleries, from ebay, from Photo Organizations and from magazines. Buying others' work is far easier than selling one's work, btw. Good luck in your endeavour.
Bruce Watson
17-Oct-2008, 10:49
Buying others' work is far easier than selling one's work, btw.
I'll second that! It's much more pleasant being on the buying side of the gallery experience than being on the selling side.
reellis67
17-Oct-2008, 11:22
I don't have the funds to collect the photographs of the people who's work I admire, they just cost too much. I do collect prints from print exchanges, or did when I had the time to participate, and I collect the (very) occasional print from people at art shows, but other than that, no. If I did buy the prints of others I'd likely display them in my library (a spare bedroom lined with bookshelves) or on the walls with the other types of art that I have purchased over the years. Sadly, as much as I like photography, I tend to buy paintings and (etching) prints mostly, when I find something moving, because I can afford them...
Kirk Keyes
17-Oct-2008, 11:37
So far, I've got 1 x Ray Bidegain, 1 x Christopher Burkett, 1 x Alan Ross, and 3 x John Wimberley.
Do Ansel Adams Limited Editions count?
Can't afford Mann, Avedon< Mapplethorpe, Leonard or Annie prints, but occasionally scrape up enough dough for the occasional coffee table book. Most recent was Herman Leonard's.
Steven Barall
17-Oct-2008, 12:56
I have Autochromes and Dags and a few other old things. You can get nice things for little money. I have a Dag portrait that I think is one of the nicest portraits that I've ever seen and I think I paid $35 for it.
Cheers all.
I've got a theme for a wall in my office: Musicians I've seen play. I'm a music fanatic and I love to go to any concert that I can. Not all musicians have 8x10's available though. I'm still trying to find a good shot of Trans Siberian Orchestra. Photographing a concert is a difficult thing. It's dark, things are moving quickly and there are always light sources pointing directly at any vantage point you can find. Good quality concert photos are hard to find. I doubt there are many LF shots out there.
Daniel_Buck
17-Oct-2008, 13:13
Just my own photos :-) I do have some photos from a few photographers that I'm friends with, but for the most part I just have my own.
Brian Ellis
17-Oct-2008, 13:35
I kind of collect books but not photographs. If I'm going to hang photographs in my home I want them to be my own and I wouldn't collect photographs by other photographers just to stash them away somewhere. But I have a nice little collection of photography books, including a two volume boxed set of Alfred Stieglitz's work published by the National Gallery, a hard-to-find Clarence John Laughlin book "Ghosts Along the Mississippi," and probably the most valuable, Minor White's "mirrors messages manifestations." Years ago I collected British 19th century paintings. It's a lot less expensive to collect books.
Ralph Barker
17-Oct-2008, 13:45
Although I have a few photographs from folks with whom I've exchanged work, I mostly collect dust. That seems more in keeping with my budget. ;)
So far I'm enjoying books, not prints. But I do have a Frank Petronio :D
QT Luong
17-Oct-2008, 17:54
I buy lots of books too, but no prints. One print (per body of work) is just not enough, several prints, I cannot afford.
Merg Ross
17-Oct-2008, 18:59
Over the years I have exchanged prints with photographers, but am not a collector in the usual sense. Perhaps I have three dozen prints. Similiar to others, I also have a few special books. Most of what adorns the walls at home are prints of my making. The front entry, however, has three of my favorite prints by others which have occupied the same space for many years; prints by Paul Caponigro, Steve Mulligan and Brett Weston.
Mike Castles
17-Oct-2008, 19:18
A few prints - Some that cost more than a couple of hunderd, some in the one to two hundered range and a few I have traded my own work for. Each one is special (at least to me). However, a modest collection of signed books, some from discount store (Gary Winogrand Stock Photographs - a nice find), some directly from the photographer.
The books cover more, but the prints are nice to have as well. If I had the money there would be more of both.
Bill_1856
17-Oct-2008, 19:24
When I was young and working, photographs were still reasonable (if not cheap). For a few thousand dollars I have obtained a nice collection of St. Ansel, Cartier-Bresson, Karsh, John Blakemore, Paul Strand (gravures), Wynn Bullock, Arnold Newman, Kim Weston, and a Pepper #30 (printed by Cole). Most were bought through dealers.
(I once was offered an original Edward P30 for $10,000 but didn't have that kind of money, then or now.)
Now I'm old and retired, and those prints which were bought for love have turned out to be excellent inventments which, I hope, will support me in my dotage since my IRA has gone down the toilet.
Some of the finest works by well-known photographers are still available for less than an arm and a leg. Recommend you check out my LF Forum post (below) on this week's Sotheby's and Christie's auction.
PS, Wish I had known about Merg Ross's work.
G Benaim
17-Oct-2008, 22:43
Those of you who have only your own work hanging on your walls, is it because you don't like anyone else's work better, or just can't afford it. Thos of you who hang yours next to others' at home, how does your own work look/stack up next to what you've bought from others?
Tony Karnezis
17-Oct-2008, 23:20
The front entry, however, has three of my favorite prints by others which have occupied the same space for many years; prints by Paul Caponigro, Steve Mulligan and Brett Weston.
I envy you, Merg. Brett Weston is my favorite photographer. Your work is wonderful too, in particular what you've shown on your web site in Portolio 2.
I started collecting from people whose work I saw in galleries in Carmel & San Francisco or from people I met at workshops. I was flattered to have my collection featured a couple years ago in B&W Magazine for their Collector Closeup. Good fun.
shadow images
18-Oct-2008, 14:30
I collect all kinds of art when I can but sell very little of my own work. Would rather help other artist sell, much less stressful.
Merg Ross
19-Oct-2008, 09:14
I envy you, Merg. Brett Weston is my favorite photographer. Your work is wonderful too, in particular what you've shown on your web site in Portolio 2.
I started collecting from people whose work I saw in galleries in Carmel & San Francisco or from people I met at workshops. I was flattered to have my collection featured a couple years ago in B&W Magazine for their Collector Closeup. Good fun.
Tony, thank you for the kind comment.
Brett also ranks high on my list of favorite photographers; not only for his magnificent work, but also for his good friendship and encouragement over the years.
I recall reading of your collection in B&W Magazine a few years ago. Congratulations!
Daniel Grenier
19-Oct-2008, 09:21
I envy you, Merg. Brett Weston is my favorite photographer. Your work is wonderful too, in particular what you've shown on your web site in Portolio 2.
I started collecting from people whose work I saw in galleries in Carmel & San Francisco or from people I met at workshops. I was flattered to have my collection featured a couple years ago in B&W Magazine for their Collector Closeup. Good fun.
I remember that article in B&W, Tony (I still have it.... somewhere). Interesting piece on a very interesting collection. Good for you.
Ditto Brett Weston. I was in Carmel a couple years ago where I bought a Roman Loranc. Also for sale was a large dune image by Brett Weston for sale at a whopping $100,000. (I had to pass on that one .... way too rich for my blood). I also vividly remember seeing an 8x10 contact by Brett many years ago at Howard Bond's house in Ann Arbour. What an impact that image had on me. Stunning. While on the topic of Weston's, I almost bought a Edward Weston by Cole in Camden Maine years ago which was offered at $400. That was a LOT on money for me then so I sweated for days over this print weighing the pros and cons and finally decided I could not justify the price at the time. I've regretted that move ever since. This print would be in the several thousand dollars range now.
I collect original prints from Hollywood greats - Bachrach, Richee, hurrell etc
I have an original Lewis Baltz and a Justine Kurland on my walls amongst others - but the pride of my 'collection' by far is an original John Blakemore print (Tulips) - Blakemore is for me probably the finest large format landscape/still life photographer of his generation.
As a collector I can tell you that prices are falling fast - there are real bargains to be had at auctions right now...
Richard M. Coda
23-Oct-2008, 13:43
Occasionally. I have:
2 EW/CW (one I got at an Aperture fire sale back in the 80s for $130 (+ $100 for slipcased book)
1 Cole Weston (Dad at Pt Lobos)
2 Brett Westons
1 Randy Efros
1 Henry Gilpin
1 Don Kirby
1 Jody Forster
a few from my friends:
George van Meter
John Prouty
John Kitts
Juan Garcia
and this year I have started trading with other photographers who's work I admire
1 Ken Miller
and a few more on the to do list
On the must have list:
A Pepper (you know which one)
White Castle (George Tice)
Tony Karnezis
25-Oct-2008, 02:25
Thanks for the kind words Merg, Daniel. And what a nice collection, Richard. Funny how what I thought was pretty expensive a few years ago has turned into unaffordable now. I got to meet Ruth Bernhard at her 99th birthday party a few years ago. I knew I should have dug deep through the couch cushions for spare change and bought a print or two before she unfortunately passed away. You snooze, you lose.
Certainly can't complain about what I have though. I recently bought a couple more prints from Roman Loranc. He's a pretty amazing photographer and printer. And I'm looking forward to Michael & Paula's Iceland work.
matthew050204
25-Oct-2008, 05:58
As photography is a real passion for me I have lots of photos by different artists plastered on the walls all across of my apartment. Many of them are by rather unkown artists that I usually buy when I am traveling, but of course I have some of the classics too - I usually buy those online.
matthew050204
25-Oct-2008, 06:16
As photography is a real passion for me I have lots of photos by different artists plastered on the walls all across of my apartment. Many of them are by rather unkown artists that I usually buy when I am traveling, but of course I have some of the classics too - I usually buy those online.
Richard M. Coda
25-Oct-2008, 09:25
Thank you, Tony. I forgot to mention 3 Huntington Witherills I got at a Kim Weston workshop last year. One old favorite (Aspens) and two of his newer color compositions.
Tim Hyde
25-Oct-2008, 14:55
I have collected photography books for many years, and that collection has appreciated so much--especially in the last few years--that I made the decision about five years ago to begin collecting fine-art photography. It remains to be seen how wise this decision was, but I divert a portion of what would be my retirement savings each year to the collection. The investment is not particularly liquid, and sometimes the addiction gets out of hand, but I'm hopeful it will weather bad times, such as the current economic meltdown, better than my other investments. Plus, I must say that it gives me enormous pleasure along the way.
Allen in Montreal
26-Oct-2008, 07:20
I have a few prints, an Ansel Adams, a John Sexton, a Dorthea Lange.
I also have a few prints from colleagues that I am fond of and like their work. Things like, the John Lennon / Yoko Ono "bed in" in Montreal, one of the most beautiful skylines of the city of Montreal I have ever seen, one day I would like to add a Mark Tomalty print, the man is an amazing photographer.
MIke Sherck
26-Oct-2008, 07:36
Mostly prints from friends and from exchanges, although I do have a couple of Jorge's platinum prints. Generally, though, books are more affordable for me and I have a few. I collect mostly landscapes.
Mike
Daniel Grenier
26-Oct-2008, 09:34
Thanks for the kind words Merg, Daniel..... I recently bought a couple more prints from Roman Loranc. He's a pretty amazing photographer and printer. And I'm looking forward to Michael & Paula's Iceland work.
You're welcome Tony, and I have to agree that Roman Loranc is one of today's very finest photographer/printer. I met him in Carmel at the Photography West Gallery and bought one of his prints - which has since sold out and more than doubled in value. What a nice guy he is and what phenomenal work he produces. Love it!
Diito Michael & Paula whom I had the pleasure of meeting at their place in Pennsylvania a few years back where I bought one of Paula's Tuscany prints. She is such a sweetheart and near the very top of female photographers today.
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