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As photographic art is a replicable commodity, its scarcity is diminished, which may affect its investment value in the collecting market. Therefore, when considering collecting a photographic artwork, it is necessary to confirm issues such as its collection limitation and copyright protection with the artist. When purchasing photographic artworks, collectors need to verify with the artist whether limited edition prints or unique original works exist to ensure the scarcity of the artwork. Some artists may restrict the number of reproductions of their works or provide digital signatures and certificates to prove the uniqueness and authenticity of the work.
With the advent of the era of artificial intelligence, photography as a medium is undergoing unprecedented impacts and challenges. In 2014, PHOTOFAIRS SHANGHAI emerged in response to the growing interest and demand for photography in the Asia-Pacific region. As an international platform dedicated to photography, the fair has not only fostered the prosperity of the Asian art market in recent years but has also become a crucial hub for the exchange of photographic art.
It is heartening to witness the continuous maturation and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence digital technology, which has made the creation and dissemination of photographic, cinematic, and digital art media more convenient and extensive. This has provided artists with more opportunities to showcase their work while also bringing new opportunities to the general public. Similar to the advent of Kodak a century ago, which completely transformed the landscape of photography, even a child can now capture astonishing photos without the need for any professional training.
The exhibition area of PHOTOFAIRS SHANGHAI showcases multiple thematic exhibitions, ranging from portrait photography to landscape creation, from the evolution of photography to artistic media, presenting the latest trends in the world of photographic art. It serves as a platform for art collectors and enthusiasts to seek purchasing references and exchange opportunities.
The Essence and History of Photographic Art
For nearly 200 years since its inception, photography has been tasked with the important mission of "revealing the mysterious unfamiliar beneath the surface of the world," arousing our curiosity, which is the true charm of photography.
In the 1790s, the renowned British scientist Thomas Wedgwood began studying the reaction of silver nitrate to light and attempted to take photos with a camera obscura, but unfortunately, he failed. In 1802, the results of experiments conducted by British scientist Humphry Davy and Thomas Wedgwood using silver salts were published in the journal of the British Royal Institution. Then, in 1826, French inventor Joseph Nicéphore Nièpce captured the earliest surviving photograph using the heliographic process. Unfortunately, he passed away before perfecting this technique.
The true beginning of photography started with the invention of the daguerreotype. In 1824, French inventor Louis Daguerre began experimenting, and by 1839, he announced his success. This declaration marked a significant moment in the history of photography, despite the technological limitations, poor quality, and high cost, it indeed achieved realistic effects. Another important figure was the British chemist Henry Fox Talbot, who announced the invention of the calotype process in 1841. The calotype process had low production costs and could be reproduced, becoming the cornerstone of modern photographic imaging technology.
The latter half of the 19th century witnessed the most significant impact of rapid technological advancements on the world. In 1879, in collaboration with railway magnates, British photographer Eadweard J. Muybridge captured moving objects, laying the groundwork for modern film technology. During this period, landscapes and still life were the most common photographic subjects, while portraiture held the greatest commercial potential.
In 1841, French photographer Claude used iodine chloride vapor to treat metal sensitized plates, successfully reducing the exposure time to seconds. That same year, the Petzval lens, with a large aperture (f/3.6), was introduced, and in 1854, Frenchman Disdéri pioneered "carte de visite" photography, truly ushering photography into a burgeoning technological industry.
In the mid-19th century, with breakthroughs in technology and a booming market demand, photography began to commercialize, leading to the emergence of photography studios. During that time, if the subject moved even slightly, the resulting photograph often lacked clarity. To obtain clearer images, photographers often required subjects to sit in chairs, with their heads secured by several hidden supports to minimize movement. Natural light was preferred as the light source, typically diffused rather than direct. Cameras were quite bulky, needing to be fixed on specially made wooden frames, and exposure times were determined based on the prevailing weather conditions. After exposure, the lens cap was replaced, and the sensitized plate was removed and taken to a darkroom for processing.
In the late 19th century, photography experienced rapid technological advancement. American inventor George Eastman, founder of Kodak, invented roll film in 1883 and introduced the portable Kodak camera for home use in 1886. In June 1888, the compact pocket-sized camera, known as the "Kodak No. 1," was launched, followed by the introduction of the pocket-sized camera in 1895, priced at $5, which revolutionized photography by making it accessible to the masses and bringing Eastman great wealth.
In the first half of the 20th century, as photography technology became more widespread, the number of people engaging in photography also increased. With the simplification of technology and greater participation, photography began to reflect its societal and artistic value. For example, French photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue is a typical example. His works reflect the authentic side of life, portraying the lifestyle of Parisian high society at the turn of the century.
During this period, photography stood out as radically different from all previous art forms because of its remarkably simple technology. While a child of a few years might struggle to produce masterful paintings due to the years of training required to master basic techniques, the fundamental skills of photography could potentially be grasped in just a few weeks. Consequently, photography opened the door to the possibility of "amateur masters" and "unintentional masterpieces," a possibility unheard of in any previous art form. Even prodigies like Mozart didn't achieve success until composing works at the age of 14. Therefore, photography emerged from the outset as an art form accessible to the masses, marking a unique phenomenon. This accessibility, while one of photography's greatest charms, has also been a leading cause of its decline in recent years. Photography is perhaps the easiest art form to achieve "good" results in, yet it remains one of the most challenging to achieve greatness.
Visual Artists and Their Photography Works
The term "decisive moment" specifically refers to capturing a decisive moment in a fraction of a second, summarizing significant events and expressing them through powerful visual composition. This photographic theory, championed by Henri Cartier-Bresson, resonated with other renowned photographers of his time such as Erich Salomon, Bill Brandt, and Robert Capa, becoming the most effective tool in photojournalism. This theory has influenced countless subsequent photographers.
Henri Cartier-Bresson, hailed as one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century and a pioneer in modern photojournalism, served as a contract photographer for "Life" magazine for over 30 years. His travels knew no bounds, and together with his camera, he witnessed numerous historical events and human landscapes of the 20th century, including the Spanish Civil War, the collapse of the Republic of China government and the rise of communism in mainland China, the 1968 Paris student movement, the assassination of Gandhi, the Berlin Wall, and the Egyptian desert. He pioneered modern photojournalism, founded Magnum Photos, and developed and practiced the theory of the "decisive moment." Other notable photographers such as Robert Capa, Tony Vaccaro, Eugene Smith, Shomei Tomatsu, Joel Meyerowitz, Adam Broomberg, and Oliver Chanarin have similarly enriched history with their photography, making it more vivid and authentic.
Sometimes, photography can be used to convey information that is not entirely truthful. Peter Galassi, Chief Curator of Photography at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), once said: "Those artists create a fascinating and eerie world with some simple and mundane photographs—whether passport headshots, real estate ads, or textbook illustrations. They gradually undermine the credibility attributed to photography with pseudo-documentary works, revealing that what we believe to see actually depends on what we want to see."
1976 is considered a watershed moment in the history of photography, marked by William Eggleston's exhibition "William Eggleston's Guide" at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This was the first solo exhibition of color photography at the museum, symbolizing the acknowledgment of color photography by the highest authority in the art world. The exhibition sparked exploration and experimentation in the field of color photography, ushering in a new chapter for color photography in the art world.
"Photographers continue to delve into the world to capture the life of today, but they have their own motivations and methods. Whether it's color or black and white, lightweight 35mm or bulky view cameras, film or digital. Their common ground lies in their unique observational skills; they see things overlooked by us and present them to us, prompting deep reflection. For me, photographers are angels rather than gods. Their job is not to create but to better understand what already exists, to see the world better. This is how the world becomes coherent, interesting, consequential, and meaningful. To achieve this, photographers endure hardships and cannot detach themselves from reality like philosophers or theorists. And... I believe this is... frankly, this is the important significance that photography endows. These places have spirituality, and my job is to discover their spirituality." (From "The Genius of Photography (2007)")
Looking back at the history of visual arts, one can observe how artists have showcased diverse styles and themes through various mediums such as photography, film, and digital art at different times. From the early days of photography and film creation, artists dedicated themselves to capturing scenes of the real world, documenting historical moments, and presenting them to the audience through technical means. As time passed, visual arts gradually transitioned from simple replication to creation. Artists began to explore the meaning and emotions behind images, integrating their own viewpoints, emotions, and thoughts into their works.
In 2024, the PHOTOFAIRS SHANGHAI showcased a concentrated display of visual art pieces from over 150 artists, covering a wide range of themes including humanism, nature, society, art, and technology. Through unique forms of expression, these works explored diverse perspectives and insights, challenging traditional artistic boundaries, and offering audiences an unprecedented visual feast and sensory experience.
Here is the list of artists and galleries:
Artists
Jerry Usman, Bernard Foucault, Condidah Hever, Nobuyoshi Araki, Yinggong Xie, Imogen Cunningham, Renhui Zhao, Valerie Casuba, Vic Muniz, Yang Yongliang, Dan Luo, Yanpeng Lu, Tako, Thomas Dvorak, Helen Ma, Guanyu Xu, Junlan Feng, Liang Ma, Anastasia Samoilova
Art Galleries
ATLAS Gallery (London)
Galerie Bacqueville (Lille, Freisingen)
M Art Space (Shanghai)
Three Shadows +3 Gallery (Beijing, Xiamen)
see+ Gallery (Beijing, Shenzhen, Chengdu)
Changqing Gallery (Saint-Gimignano, Beijing, Mulin, Havana, Rome, Sao Paulo, Paris, Dubai)
Deyutang Gallery (Shanghai)
Shanghna Gallery (Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore)
Xie Gallery (Changsha)
Limited Edition Image Museum (Hsinchu)
Collectibility and Investment Value
Combining the above content, you will find that the collectibility and investment value of photographic art involve various aspects and must consider all factors comprehensively:
Artistic Quality
Photographic artworks must possess high quality and uniqueness in terms of expressing themes, styles, and creativity. Good works require exquisite technical application, profound conceptual connotations, and captivating visual experiences. Technical application includes the use of photographic techniques, proficiency in post-production techniques, and mastery of aspects such as color, light, shadow, and composition. At the same time, the themes and content presented in the works should have depth and breadth, capable of triggering audience reflection and emotional resonance. Uniqueness refers to the distinct personality and innovation of works in terms of style, subject selection, and creative techniques. Only works with controversy and attention are worthy of inclusion in the collection list, thereby gaining higher recognition and value in the collecting market.
Uniqueness
As photographic art is a replicable commodity, its scarcity is diminished, which may affect its investment value in the collecting market. Therefore, when considering collecting a photographic artwork, it is necessary to confirm issues such as its collection limitation and copyright protection with the artist. When purchasing photographic artworks, collectors need to verify with the artist whether limited edition prints or unique original works exist to ensure the scarcity of the artwork. Some artists may restrict the number of reproductions of their works or provide digital signatures and certificates to prove the uniqueness and authenticity of the work. Additionally, understanding the copyright status of the work is necessary to ensure effective protection of the copyright, avoiding copyright disputes and market risks.
Artist's Reputation and Artwork History
The works of renowned artists are often more readily recognized and sought after in the market because their names represent a certain level of quality assurance, serving as the so-called baseline for collecting. An artist's reputation is not only related to their personal creative ability and style but also closely tied to their status in the art world, awards, and honors received. The historical background of the artwork is also an important factor influencing its market value. Whether the work has been exhibited in significant exhibitions such as international art fairs, contemporary art exhibitions, and whether it has been collected by important art institutions or collectors, will positively impact its market recognition. The exhibition history and collection background of the work can demonstrate its status and influence in the art world, providing strong support for its market value appreciation.
Market Supply and Demand
Understanding the dynamics and trends of the market is crucial for assessing the investment value of photographic artworks. The purchasing intentions and quantity demands of collectors or investors for a particular artist or type of work can lead to price increases or decreases, while oversupply of artworks can result in a sharp decline in prices. The photographic art market may be influenced by various factors such as art trends, economic conditions, and social culture, causing fluctuations in market prices. It is essential to closely monitor changes and trends in the market and adjust investment strategies accordingly to seize investment opportunities.
Photography, as a medium for recording and artistic expression, holds profound historical and social significance. Through the appreciation of photographic works, individuals gain insights into the past, understanding the cultural trends and societal structures of different eras. It serves as a vital avenue for photographers to convey their thoughts and emotions. However, when considering it as an investment, caution is advised. The market for photography is subject to significant fluctuations and is susceptible to various factors. Therefore, it is essential to carefully assess the quality and potential value of photographic artworks.
Recommended Works and Books
- "The Genius of Photography" (2007) by BBC: This documentary series and book explores the history and evolution of photography, offering insights into its significance and impact on society and art.
- "L'art de la Photographie": This book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of photography, covering various styles, techniques, and artists from around the world.
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