I have my work in 3 galleries. One is commission based and the other 2 I am renting space. How important is it to Limited Editions of my images? Does it look better to potential customers? If so how do I make the transition? I have already printed and matted about $3,000 worth of images in the last year.
Well said by Guy Tal as usual. I could never come to grasps with that term, limited edition especially in photography unless required by a client the image was taken for..
Posted by David Taylor on May 18, 2012 at 12:17 AM
While I typically side with Guy on so many issues, I do find myself on the other side of the fence when it comes to Limited Editions. I offer my images in Limited or Open Editions. An equally interesting article on this subject was written by John Paul Caponigro - available as a free ebook if you sign up for his free newsletter. Highly recommended, as there are several great ebooks in this collection (all free). http://www.johnpaulcaponigro.com/lib/insights.php
I think the danger in Guy's article (no offense to Guy) is making a statement that there is only one way to do things. Each artist must make their own decisions, based on intuition, research, and yes - the almighty dollar. To say that there is only one ethical way to do things (in this context at least) is wrong - in my opinion. There are several good pros and cons for both schools of thought, but only you can tally those scores and how they relate to you. Don't let what one person does guide you too much, art is just that - art. Part of art is the artists choice and saying 'to hell with the critics'.
This link is to my take on them back in 1997 from a now defunct B&W site that I had http://www.northnet.org/jimbullard/ltd_ed.htm. My opinions haven't changed. I regard them as a form of fraud and I won't do them.
Calling someone a fraud for offering limited editions of their artwork doesn't exactly seem fair. Judging someone on their choices of marketing is poorly placed judgement, in my opinion. I see no fraud in these actions. It's only marketing. The only way fraud could keep into limiting editions is selling more copies than the edition supposedly holds. You may disagree with LEs, but that does not make the practice fraudulent, only disagreeable (to you). Again, the real danger here is that each of us takes an all or nothing/self-righteous stance for one practice, calling names or placing blame.
That said, I too wonder about limiting my prints. I'm still not sure direction I will take. However, I will continue to educate myself on all possibilities. This includes reading articles and listening to respected photographers & collectors opinions on the matter. But in the end, as I said before, the onus will fall ultimately on me and my gut feeling. Critics (of either opposing viewpoint) be damned.
Posted by Bret Edge on January 19, 2013 at 1:26 AM
I'm quite late to the party with my response but I'll offer it up any way.
I've always sold open editions. This year, I'm offering my first limited edition print. I've read Guy's post and though we're good friends and I typically share many of the same opinions, I wholeheartedly disagree with him on this topic.
The LE print I'm selling this year is an 8" x 12" black and white image and the edition is limited to only 25 pieces with 3 artist proofs. They're selling for $300/each. I see nothing wrong with selling LE prints at a cost that is higher than your standard prints of the same size because you have limited the number of prints you're able to sell and can't rely on volume to generate revenue. The only caveat is that this only holds true if your LE print is truly limited in edition size. An edition of 500 is not limited edition - it's a marketing ploy. If you're going to sell an LE print, make the edition size reasonable so it has some intrinsic value.
I agree with Guy Tal and I will be releasing a limited edition print this fall. The essence of Guy's argument is this:
If two prints are identical in every respect other than edition limits, what accounts for the difference in value?
Well, I have no intention of offering any other prints identical to the limited edition print. The LE print will be limited to 100 images, printed using fiber-based silver gelatin on Ilfobrom Galerie fiber, specially matted and framed, and set behind museum glass. I offer no other images even close to those specifications.
On the other hand, no matter how noble Guy's position on the social value of art, I disagree. If I want to make only 1 print of 1 image to hang in my private office, no matter how much it
enriches and elevates the lives of others, brings solace in difficult times, open hearts and minds to those things in life that are beautiful, hopeful, and meaningful, beyond the cynicism and violence and unfairness that characterize so much else
then that's exactly what I'm going to do - despite the greater good served by accessibility.
And Bret, you are selling yourself short. If you don't double your price, I'm going to smack you silly the next time I'm in town - despite your Glock, Taser, and nightstick. ;-)
Discussion
9 repliesI have my work in 3 galleries. One is commission based and the other 2 I am renting space. How important is it to Limited Editions of my images? Does it look better to potential customers? If so how do I make the transition? I have already printed and matted about $3,000 worth of images in the last year.
Thanks for your advise.
Cindy
http://guytal.com/wordpress/2012/04/the-ethics-of-limited-editions/
http://www.johnpaulcaponigro.com/lib/insights.php
I think the danger in Guy's article (no offense to Guy) is making a statement that there is only one way to do things. Each artist must make their own decisions, based on intuition, research, and yes - the almighty dollar. To say that there is only one ethical way to do things (in this context at least) is wrong - in my opinion. There are several good pros and cons for both schools of thought, but only you can tally those scores and how they relate to you. Don't let what one person does guide you too much, art is just that - art. Part of art is the artists choice and saying 'to hell with the critics'.
That said, I too wonder about limiting my prints. I'm still not sure direction I will take. However, I will continue to educate myself on all possibilities. This includes reading articles and listening to respected photographers & collectors opinions on the matter. But in the end, as I said before, the onus will fall ultimately on me and my gut feeling. Critics (of either opposing viewpoint) be damned.
I've always sold open editions. This year, I'm offering my first limited edition print. I've read Guy's post and though we're good friends and I typically share many of the same opinions, I wholeheartedly disagree with him on this topic.
The LE print I'm selling this year is an 8" x 12" black and white image and the edition is limited to only 25 pieces with 3 artist proofs. They're selling for $300/each. I see nothing wrong with selling LE prints at a cost that is higher than your standard prints of the same size because you have limited the number of prints you're able to sell and can't rely on volume to generate revenue. The only caveat is that this only holds true if your LE print is truly limited in edition size. An edition of 500 is not limited edition - it's a marketing ploy. If you're going to sell an LE print, make the edition size reasonable so it has some intrinsic value.
There you have it - my two cents.
Well, I have no intention of offering any other prints identical to the limited edition print. The LE print will be limited to 100 images, printed using fiber-based silver gelatin on Ilfobrom Galerie fiber, specially matted and framed, and set behind museum glass. I offer no other images even close to those specifications.
On the other hand, no matter how noble Guy's position on the social value of art, I disagree. If I want to make only 1 print of 1 image to hang in my private office, no matter how much it then that's exactly what I'm going to do - despite the greater good served by accessibility.
And Bret, you are selling yourself short. If you don't double your price, I'm going to smack you silly the next time I'm in town - despite your Glock, Taser, and nightstick. ;-)