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08/06/2004 03:46:52 PM · #1 |
I am trying to assign a value to two prints that I am donating and I am wondering if signing them matters that much. I did sign them on the back of each print as well as included an information sticker on the back of the frames. If signing them matters then can anyone estimate a percentage over the base price I should increase it by?
On another note, I didn't assign any number to these prints because I fealt that that is irrelevant. If someone wants to by another print I simply order another one from one the online services I use. There are no production issues that require large numbers of prints to be printed in order to keep costs down. So what would be the point of numbering prints from digital files?
Thanks.
T
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08/06/2004 03:54:34 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by timj351:
So what would be the point of numbering prints from digital files?
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Articficially introduced rarity to increase potential value.
It originates mostly from destructive printing techniques (e.g., woodcuts) where the original wood would wear down over time - so only a limited number could be made. Similarly for film printing, by the photographer, where only a finite number of prints can be made (just due to the time involved). The photographer asserts that after x number of prints 10, 25, 50, 100 the negative will be destroyed - so no more prints can be made.
Often the numbering is done 'backwards' starting high, counting down to further empart this feeling of a limited quantity.
The fact that it is completely meaningless for digital items is mostly ignored by those who feel it increases the value they can obtain from their images.
I'd take a different view that as many people as possible can buy my prints - get it out there, create demand. If nobody knows what they are missing, nobody will want to buy them.
As to what to charge for them - particularly when donating it depends what purpose you are 'valuing' them for. If it is tax purposes, all you can claim is the cost of the materials that went in to producing the prints. There is no element of how much the image is worth - just material costs.
Otherwise, if it was for sale - then you set the value - it is what you think it is worth. In many cases I've seen people totally undervalue the contribution of their art - again just charging for material and construction time costs.
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08/06/2004 03:57:13 PM · #3 |
I am not an expert on this...
I do believe the value you place on them is dependent upon how much you have been able to obtain in the past for similar pieces. If you have never sold anything, then it would be a little more difficult to figure out.
If it was me, I would add at least 5 to 15% of the cost of the print, matte and frame and then add some additional money, based on the time it took for me to obtain and post process the shot. Being the rank amatuer I am, I wouldn't feel very comfortable 'charging' more then 10 to 15 per hour.
I would take that final figure and round it to something more 'palpable'. Such as taking $82.31 and rounding it up to $85. (I have no idea your costs here, so whatever.)
In the end, I suppose it is up to you.
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08/06/2004 05:10:51 PM · #4 |
What size is the print and what size is the mat/frame? Did you use reasonably decent quality framing materials?
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08/06/2004 06:08:57 PM · #5 |
Hi Tim
I don't know if I can be of any help but 2 years ago when I started out with photography I took several images of places here in Hamilton and took them to the City Council. They looked at the 10 images and said, yes, very nice, but we only want to buy one thank you, the rest are all similar to what we have already. So she asked me for the print and asked me to download the image for their website and said I could still carry on using it
She took the print which was not even matted or framed and gave me a cheque for $200 plus GST I could hardly believe it. Wow, how great! all very pleased, and, yes! it is on their web site for all to see.
I sold my next print for $200 also
Then someone in the art gallery persuaded me to exhibit my work and put a price tag of $200 on each print and although it did well with lots of wonderful comments I only sold one print I believe as it was suggested by one comment that although they were really nice prints they were nothing out of the ordinary anyone with a camera could have taken those images so I was bought back down to earth. A huge learning curve for me.
I believe I could have made money from that experience if I had only listened to my 'Gut' feeling.
I am not put off but I think if you believe that your prints are worthwhile which you must do if you are donating them
Put a price on them that you would be willing to pay for them yourself
make that a fair price (Not over the top) and then if people like your work and want prints themselves you wont feel embarrassed at saying a price.(As I did with my exhibition I always felt they were over priced.)
Don't forget cost of frame and matt are expensive. Even go to an art shop that sells framed prints to see what there valuation would be don't forget they always add on a percentage, but I am sure you can work out the cost.
If you are going to sign it maybe just a small signature in the bottom right would look nice with the date.Placed just under the print but it has to be done neatly (I feel) If I were buying a print I would like a signature on it for one I think it is nice to acknowlege ones own work and nice to know who the photographer was it seems to add value.
Good luck with your photography and I hope my experience helps you.
All the best
Sally
My prints were all 8x10 and I had printed them all myself
Message edited by author 2004-08-06 18:13:52. |
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08/06/2004 06:37:15 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
What size is the print and what size is the mat/frame? Did you use reasonably decent quality framing materials? |
The size of the prints are 12 x 16 inches, so they are not large. I didn't feel that I could or should go any larger with these files form my F707. These are the prints I dicussed awhile back of "Taking Cover" and Needle in Red". At this size I think the quality looks very good and the lustre paper was a great choice. The matts were custom cut but the frames were ready-made so the cost of matting and framing was not a lot. After I posted this thread I checked out a site that offers matted and framed prints from a proffessional photographer in Oregon (Ron Keebler, //www.oregongallery.com/) and I was surprised at how low and reasonable his prices were. For example, a 14x18 was only $62. The matting and frames are simple but appropriate and he has the advantage of having all of the matting and framing done there in the shop. I decided upon a price of $135 each because I payed retail for the materials and I did the assembly. The prints were from EZ Prints and were about $12 each plus tax. I wanted to make sure that I didn't go too much higher than I will be charging anyways so I am comfortable with this price. Does it sound appropriate to you?
Thanks everyone for your help.
T
Message edited by author 2004-08-06 18:38:15.
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08/06/2004 06:59:39 PM · #7 |
Sounds fine to me, but are you trying to come up with a valuation for tax purposes?
If so, the value of your tax deduction is limited to your actual cost.
-Terry
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08/06/2004 07:10:19 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by ClubJuggle:
Sounds fine to me, but are you trying to come up with a valuation for tax purposes?
If so, the value of your tax deduction is limited to your actual cost.
-Terry |
I understand. It was for the value of the work for the auction purposes so they have an appropriate starting point for the bidding. There will be a lot of people there that will see these prints who may be interested in purchasing a print directly from me. I needed to make sure that I didn't go too high. I also wasn't sure if having the print signed made a big difference as apposed to prints that are ordered and sent directly from the printers to the purchaser without first being signed by me. I figured that they must be worth a little more signed so I took that into account too even though I am still a nobody in the photography world, except to my family and friends ;)
T
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08/06/2004 07:11:30 PM · #9 |
I charge in the neighborhood of $225 for a matted/framed 12x18. It usually varies between $200 and $250 depending on the framing I have used for it...
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08/06/2004 07:15:32 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I charge in the neighborhood of $225 for a matted/framed 12x18. It usually varies between $200 and $250 depending on the framing I have used for it... |
D'ohhhh! Maybe I should have waited a little longer to read all of this before I submitted the amounts. It is really difficult to judge this stuff. I really need a rep ;)
T
Message edited by author 2004-08-06 19:16:15.
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08/06/2004 07:20:06 PM · #11 |
For an auction, it won't really matter. The value of the print will be decided by those who see it and like it. A lower starting bid is probably a good thing for that sort of stuff. To you, it doesn't really matter in this case. If you were pricing for retail sale, it would make a bigger difference, especially if the shop owners are taking 30% off the top, which they do in most cases.
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08/06/2004 07:44:20 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
For an auction, it won't really matter. The value of the print will be decided by those who see it and like it. A lower starting bid is probably a good thing for that sort of stuff. To you, it doesn't really matter in this case. If you were pricing for retail sale, it would make a bigger difference, especially if the shop owners are taking 30% off the top, which they do in most cases. |
Good points. I'll keep this in mind.
T
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08/06/2004 07:55:49 PM · #13 |
john is exactly right, although i wouldn't go too low. i recently sold an 8x10 of peek for $250 from a gallery, so when i was asked to donate a print to a local charity (silent) auction, i gave an 11x14 and put suggested value at $150. i didn't want to go too high, because like john said--the participants will decide how much it is worth to them. however--i have also found there to be a weird quirk to human nature--that the more it costs, the more it must be *worth*. :)
p.s. i also sell 8x10s in a couple of local coffee shops/art houses. i rotate i think about 15 different prints, but i sell them all at a flat $100. there are other artists selling their stuff for more extravagant prices, but i just cant bring myself to do that. yet. :)
Message edited by author 2004-08-06 20:00:36. |
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08/06/2004 09:14:38 PM · #14 |
If you are donating a peice of art that you made, you can deduct your costs from you income taxes. Nothing more. If your work usually sells for a google dollars, you get a deduction of your costs according to IRS rules.
If you want to get a deduction for the work, you need to sell it to someone, and they can write off the cost, then you can buy some of their work and write off the cost. If you both donate to the same auction everybody wins.
I know this is auxilliary to the question of assigning value, but just because you set the price and it sells at that price does not mean you can deduct that price from you taxes. Just FYI |
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