How to collect photography

Simplistic? Not really, when you consider all the different kinds of photography available and the availability of digital cameras. There are things to consider, such as where to find a photo that you want to hang on your walls, how is it made and why collect photos. Here are just a few ideas to help you select your next photo at an art show or gallery.

First, why do people buy art? The interior decorator in you says that it goes with the color scheme and theme of a room. It's pretty and you like the subject matter. I've had customers purchase Bike at Antique Store just cause they are collecting bike art.

In my living room, I have a few of my photos hanging and some watercolors, but they are all in barn board frames that my husband made. It's the unifying theme of our casual room. The photos in the living room look like watercolors with filters and layers that I used to create the effect.

Maybe you are buying a piece of art because the price is right and you have a bare space on your wall. The price of a photo is usually lower than the price of an original painting.

Why choose a photo over a painting? Photos don't last as long, but as stated before, are usually less expensive. Photos can come in all sizes. While a painting, unless you are purchasing a reproduction, comes in only one size. Ask the photographer if you don't see the size you want. Most are accommodating and want to make a sale.

A photo captures a moment. If you're a sports fan, you can really appreciate this. Many purchase travel photos, which offer a realistic depicture of life in another country. Architectural images give the viewer a clean, modern look to hang on their walls.

Where should you look to find a high quality photo for your collection? The fact that there are more photographers than ever out there makes some think that photography is easy and it lowers its value. The fact is, good photography is hard to find because there is so much photography out there.

Sites like Flikr have added to the confusion. When you put two photos together how do you decide which one is best? I teach my students that a good photo tells a story, creates an emotion or is technically excellent. This is for the beginner and gives them a benchmark that they need to help them grow.

More advanced photographers, those who have mastered the technical aspects and know how to communicate with their images, are moving toward conceptual photography. The photo illustrates an idea. These photos are less likely to be seen at an art show where people move from booth to booth and more often at a gallery where the concept is explained.

Your best bet for finding good photography is at juried art shows or galleries. As more photographers emerge wishing to sell their photos, the competition to find a spot in a high-quality art show or gallery gets tougher. By going to these places to find photos for your home or business, you know that the work has been screened by other artists or art collectors. They decided that the work exhibited at the show is high quality.

What is high quality? Is it presented in a professional manner: matted or framed, signed by the artist, limited editions? Ask the photographer how the prints are made. How long will the prints last? Are the prints mounted and framed with archival materials?

As I said at the beginning, this isn't a simple subject. And as I funnel down to a point with this article, it all really comes down to emotions. How does the photo make you feel?