We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.

~Jawaharlal Nehru

Desolation Desperation - Okaton, SD ghost town - Let There Be Light Fine Art Photography of Wayne Moran
Desolation Desperation – Okaton, SD ghost town

How to Buy Fine Art Photography

It is completely natural for we humans to love beauty and want to surround ourselves with it to lift and calm our spirits and to bring out the best in us.  One way we typically do this is to create or purchase art.  But when we spend to money to purchase art it may be wise to consider it as more than just uplifting to the spirit, it may also be an investment.

In a recent Forbes article   “The Steady Rise Of Fine Art Photography” “Some 92% of experts surveyed thought that prices for modern photography are likely to rise in the next six months…”  author Kathryn Tully speaks of the steady rise in the price of fine art photography even though the price is rising more slowly than other types of art.  Fine Art Photography is indeed a good investment.

Define Fine Art Photography

So how do we define Fine Art Photography?  Let’s take a look at Wiki

Fine art photography is photography created in accordance with the vision of the artist as photographer. Fine art photography stands in contrast to representational photography, such as photojournalism, which provides a documentary visual account of specific subjects and events, literally re-presenting objective reality rather than the subjective intent of the photographer; and commercial photography, the primary focus of which is to advertise products or services.
Wiki

So Fine Art Photography is about communicating the vision of the artist /photographer to his or her audience.  It is creative in nature and its purpose is to emotionally connect or move the audience that views it.

Split Rock Lighthouse Images

The artist wants to have a deep and meaningful emotional connection with the viewing audience so that will be critical in the final decision as to whether you want to invest in the particular piece of art.  You need to decide does the work speak to you, does it move you?  If it does then you can move on to the next points used in deciding what pieces to buy.

 Consider Appreciation

Like with any investment you want to buy something that appreciates over time.   How do you do that in the art world?  Well you could buy an original of a very big named artist and pay $3 million for it. But if you are like me you do not have that kind of money.  So you have to ask is there a better way to do this?

Downtown Minneapolis Skyline Photos Stone Arch Bridge

Concentrate on up and coming photographers: Spend a little time checking out the background and activity of the artist you are considering.  Have they been shown in any galleries?  Have they won awards?  Are they getting written up in the press at all?  Basically get to know your arts.

Consider buying a one of a kind original:  If you have discovered an artist who is getting a bigger following consider buying the actually copyright to an image so that it cannot be sold or used any more.  That way you know you have the one copy of the image.   One way to do this is to actually commission the artist with a contract that states you would be the copyright owner of the work that is delivered to you.

Another way to do this is to buy limited edition prints.  These are actually numbered and they carry a Certificate of Authenticity (COA)

Finally purchase prints that are hand signed by the artist.  That automatically increases the value over just a print that might be one of a million other prints.

Buy What You Like

Finally the most important point is to buy what you like.  This comes from the point earlier about buying what moves you or what connects with you emotionally.  You must buy what matches your style of your home, office and life.  While you do not have to be totally driven by the colors of space and the piece you do have to keep it in mind.  You will not want to buy a piece that completely clashes with the space you have in mind for the piece.

Charming Bayfield Wisconsin Fine Art Photography

So while buying art can be a bit scary there are some pretty simple steps you can take to help you enjoy the process, love the artistic result and have a good investment also.

Look for articles on how to frame and hang your new work of art.

 

All images seen here and many more are available in The Gallery.

Written by Wayne Moran - Visit Website
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