3 things to know before buying photography

Have you ever considered having a photograph as a work of art on your wall at home? 📸

It is photography season in the art world this autumn.

Right now, Norway's leading photo festival, Oslo Negativ, is in full swing. This year, I am pleased to be collaborating with the festival and contributing to its programme with a special educational event celebrating this fascinating art form.

And coming up next is Paris Photo in November, one of the world's leading international art fairs dedicated to fine art photography.

Beyond the exhibitions and art fairs, there's another fascinating side to explore: the art of collecting photographs.

While photography has long established its place in museums and galleries, when we think about buying art, it's usually paintings, sculptures or prints that come to mind first. Yet photographs can be wonderful additions to an art collection, even without a large budget!

So what should you know before buying a photographic artwork? Here are three important things to consider. 👇

Photo: Fosters pond, 2000 ©Arno Rafael Minkkinen; Bea with a whip at The Other Side, 1973 ©Nan Goldin 

🔢 Edition size. Fine art photographs are often sold in limited editions, for example 5, 10 or 25 prints. A smaller edition can make a work more exclusive, just as with limited-edition graphic art. 

✍️ Signature and documentation. Ideally, a photograph should be signed, numbered and accompanied by proper documentation. It is also worth checking whether the print was produced by the artist or under their supervision during their lifetime, or printed at a later date.

🖼️ Printing techniques and materials. A photographer doesn't simply take a picture. They often make important decisions about printing techniques, size, choice of paper or other material, and the quality of the final print. Particularly in contemporary photography these elements are an important part of the artwork, and production costs can account for a substantial portion of its price.

📸 But the most important thing is still the artwork itself. Its originality, composition, light, shadows, subject, message and more.

It is good to keep in mind that a photograph can be technically perfect without necessarily being artistically interesting. Recognising artistic quality and understanding what makes a work worth collecting takes knowledge, experience and a trained eye. 

Want to discover more about the fascinating world of photography? I have a film recommendation for you: All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, a documentary about the internationally renowned photographer Nan Goldin. 🎬 

The film offers a personal insight into Goldin's life and artistic practice from her early photographs in 1970s New York to her role as an activist challenging the pharmaceutical industry. The film won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Whether you are visiting an exhibition, exploring an art fair or thinking about your first photography purchase, I hope today's little insight has inspired you to look at photography with fresh eyes. 

And if you are considering adding photography to your art collection, I would be happy to guide you and help you discover works that suit your taste and budget. Just reply to this email to get in touch.

PS. In one of my latest videos from Fondation Beyeler in Basel, I share an example of how you can own a fine art photograph by a world-renowned artist at a surprisingly affordable price! 💡 Take a look on Instagram!

PPS. And if you love learning about art through film, I've put together a handpicked selection of my favourite art movies, along with tips on where to watch them online. 🎬  You can get the Art Movie Guide here