Limited edition photos

[DrDebi]

I know that with paintings you can do limited edition copies. Is there a way to do the same thing with a photo?

I took a photo that may be my best shot ever and people keep asking if I'm going to do limited edition sales? Not sure where to start as I really am a newbie on the sales side of photography. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx!

DrDbi

[oldwolf]

Go for it. I've seen pro photographers do that before. Depending on your clients I'd probably limit it somewhere between 25 and 50 though. Make sure you number them as well.

[DrDebi]

Originally Posted by oldwolf

Go for it. I've seen pro photographers do that before. Depending on your clients I'd probably limit it somewhere between 25 and 50 though. Make sure you number them as well.

Thanx for your comment. I was thinking of exactly that number of prints. However, and I hate to sound "stupid", but how do I number them? Do I physically go into the image in Photoshop and add a number or will a pro-photography site do it for me?

[oldwolf]

The ones that I've seen, the photographer will write on the back 1 of 50 and then sign under it. I've also seen them write it on the matte as well.

If it were me, I'd probably order the print(s) and have them matted myself so I know the color of the matte will match the photo, sign the matte and write on there x of 50. "x" being the print number.

It makes it more personal and gives a sense of something special.

Just my two cents.

[DrDebi]

Originally Posted by oldwolf

The ones that I've seen, the photographer will write on the back 1 of 50 and then sign under it. I've also seen them write it on the matte as well.

If it were me, I'd probably order the print(s) and have them matted myself so I know the color of the matte will match the photo, sign the matte and write on there x of 50. "x" being the print number.

It makes it more personal and gives a sense of something special.

Just my two cents.

AWESOME!!!

Thanx much. Have a brilliant Saturday. Gorgeous in VA Beach area today!

[GadgetRick]

This can work out well if you have the clients for it. Some will sign the front of the photo with 1 of 50 or something like that. Depends on how you do it.

[LeeR]

Limited edition runs are more from the days of print making when a plate could be destroyed. However, there's no reason you can't do the same. The advice you have received thus far is correct, though often an artist will simply put the numbers after their signature in the form: 3/50, meaning, of course, 3rd in a printing of 50. However, I would also encourage you to check into the concept of "Artists Proofs" usually indicated with AP after your signature. These are proofs you make in a part of the printing process to make sure the prints meet your standards. They are not sold with the other prints but are set aside as part of the artists inventory and are usually sold years later, often at a higher price, especially if the original run was successful.

[DrDebi]

Originally Posted by LeeR

Limited edition runs are more from the days of print making when a plate could be destroyed. However, there's no reason you can't do the same. The advice you have received thus far is correct, though often an artist will simply put the numbers after their signature in the form: 3/50, meaning, of course, 3rd in a printing of 50. However, I would also encourage you to check into the concept of "Artists Proofs" usually indicated with AP after your signature. These are proofs you make in a part of the printing process to make sure the prints meet your standards. They are not sold with the other prints but are set aside as part of the artists inventory and are usually sold years later, often at a higher price, especially if the original run was successful.

Great. Thanx, SO MUCH, for all your feedback!

Best,

[BCampbell]

You will probably want to create certificates of authenticity to go along with the works as well.

Limited editions of digital files are really something of a contrast between the artist and the buyer. The buyer agrees that the work has a higher percieved value and the artist agrees not to sell more than the number indicated. Of course, they can easily do that, but this damages their reputation and destroys future value of the artists' work.

Typically, only established artists do limited runs, but there's no reason that anyone can't.

I would suggest not signing the mat; in typical conservation framing, the mat is designed to be easily removed, so there's a fear the siganture will be separated from the photo. Typically, a pencil is used to sign either the back or a white border on the front of the print.

Originally Posted by BCampbell

You will probably want to create certificates of authenticity to go along with the works as well.
.

I always found COAs to be kind of strange. How does one determine that the certificate is authentic? Is there a COA for the COA?