Just Curious

[Michael_2010]

What makes the following a million dollar photograph? I know it is good, but what sets it apart from many other good photographs? Name recognition?



Peter Lik Photograph “One” Sells for $1 Million! | | Peter LikPeter Lik

Until I started checking that guy out I didn't even know photographs could sell for that kind of money........ unless someone caught Britney Spears getting out of a car.

[iRyzzz]

To be fair it is a great photograph.

Almost looks like a fine painting.

$1 Million isnt a huge amount of money to some collectors.

Wish I took it

[Michael_2010]

Yeah, it is a great one and the guy had to have the vision to time it, compose it and press the shutter, but a million bucks? Wow!

[Corey Thompson]

It's a great photo but not worth that price. I definitely think his name plays a large part in the price tag.

I had the opportunity to visit some of Lik's gallery "stores" when I was in Vegas last month. I will say I was floored when I first saw his work, there was something magical about his galleries. But then I got to talking to the sales rep to confirm my suspicions after carefully analyzing things. There's a whole process that's applied to his photos to achieve the final look, straight down to the unique type of metallic photo paper the photos are printed on to the overhead lighting that's used to make the photos in his galleries pop the way they do. Even the sales reps told me, his photos look nothing like this straight out of the camera. So in theory, when you buy Lik's work, you're buying the entire package, everything that went into making the photo look the way it does. You're not simply buying a photograph that was printed out at the local Costco photo lab for a couple bucks.

[Michael_2010]

He is good and doesn't mind going the extra mile to get the shot, but I think he found a niche much like Peter Max or Warhol did with graphic art. Once that name recognition is working it doesn't matter if someone else can duplicate the work or even improve on it.

Btw, he has a show premiering on The Weather Channel Thursday night. It might be interesting to check out.

[Michael_2010]

Did anyone else check out his show tonight? I thought it was pretty good, but he didn't talk about his gear or his settings. It was mainly about how difficult it was to get to some of the locations. I think they will keep the show online for a certain period of time for anyone interested.

[Krusty79]

Someone posted this image for a critique that reminds me of the million dollar shot. I told them to let me know when they get their million dollars...

fall reflection

[Michael_2010]

Yeah, I see the comparison. I even went out looking at reflections after seeing the million dollar one, but I added a duck. lol

[Michael_2010]

I enjoyed watching Lik's show the other night and I will probably follow the series over the next several weeks, but I think he mainly has that ability some have to market themselves in a way that gets a lot of attention. Some of the stuff entered into his contest is actually better than the work he has displayed online.