My wife is a kindergarten teacher at a small private school. Every year they have a gala to raise funds for building improvements, scholarships, etc. This year I donated a framed print of one of my challenge entries for the silent auction.
I am proud to say that this was the most bid on item in the silent auction and the highest price paid for any item in the silent auction. It sold for $400.00 and was bought by the school board chairman. This woman has dedicated much of her life to the school, students and teachers. She underwrites several initiatives and gives countless hours of her time. No one would have batted an eye had she not bid on anything in the auction.
When compared to what sells in my region, this appears to be a fair retail price for a framed, matted, quality photograph of that size. It always comes down to a customer who likes the image and can visualize a place on a wall to hang it. An arms' length financial transaction means the buyer and seller were both happy. Well done!
I was more curious to see "how it was written" (moreso than the textual content). I'm always looking and thinking about ways to sign/title prints/mattes.
I signed the print itself. I struggle sometimes wondering if it is better to sign the mat or the print. I usually go for the print.
I spent some time with the framing. It is a custom frame job from Aaron Brothers. The framer and I spent about 2 hours going through various mat and frame combinations. I had them call me when the mats arrived so I could come in and print the title on the mat before it was framed. The title is "The Forest for the Trees", followed by the year, 2010. I wrote the title with a standard #2 pencil. It is a little off center and not perfectly straight - you only get one chance. I do like the personal touch it adds to the piece.
I was very pleased with the framing, especially the museum glass. I highly recommend it. With discounts the framing price was just under $200 (triple mat, acid free mats, and museum glass). That and the print that I did myself on an Epson Stylus Photo 2200, was my donation for the event. The print size is 13"x 18.5" and the frame is 20"x24".
Frankly, I was hoping it would sell for more. However, it did sell for a decent price and the money goes to the school. Also there was a lot of buzz about it throughout the evening. Plus I got to be hero to my wife for participating in the event in a meaningful way. The gala is a very big deal for the school and the teachers.
Beautiful photo! (I know this photo wasn't taken with the Olympus PEN, but I'm considering buying one of those, has it exceeded your expectations?)
It has. I love how light the camera is. The image quality up to ISO 400 is awesome. Past 400, the bigger cameras shine through. I am having a lot of fun with it.
I have a lot of travel for work this year (as usual) I plan to take the PEN outfit with me and leave the heavy stuff at home.
Olympus did just release the E-PL2, mine is the E-PL1. The sensor is the same, but supposedly it has better high ISO performance. The biggest difference is the E-PL2 takes a cable release, the E-PL1 does not. I may pick one up just for that. Although, the 4/3 rumor mill says Olympus is going to announce a professional grade micro 4/3 body in the next month or so. I may wait to see how that plays out.
BTW - the image that was in the auction was the image that won the Popular Photography / American Photo Travelographer of the Year photo contest in the Great Outdoors category. The prize was the PEN E-PL1!
My wife is a kindergarten teacher at a small private school. Every year they have a gala to raise funds for building improvements, scholarships, etc. This year I donated a framed print of one of my challenge entries for the silent auction.
I am proud to say that this was the most bid on item in the silent auction and the highest price paid for any item in the silent auction. It sold for $400.00 and was bought by the school board chairman. This woman has dedicated much of her life to the school, students and teachers. She underwrites several initiatives and gives countless hours of her time. No one would have batted an eye had she not bid on anything in the auction.
BTW - the image that was in the auction was the image that won the Popular Photography / American Photo Travelographer of the Year photo contest in the Great Outdoors category. The prize was the PEN E-PL1!
Oh I saw that prize for that comp!!! Think you've convinced me to get it now. I wanted to leave the 'heavy stuff' at home sometimes and thought this would be a good one. I used to have a small Olympus Camedia P & S that took great photos, but over time it died on me.
I signed the print itself. I struggle sometimes wondering if it is better to sign the mat or the print. I usually go for the print.
I spent some time with the framing. It is a custom frame job from Aaron Brothers. The framer and I spent about 2 hours going through various mat and frame combinations. I had them call me when the mats arrived so I could come in and print the title on the mat before it was framed. The title is "The Forest for the Trees", followed by the year, 2010. I wrote the title with a standard #2 pencil. It is a little off center and not perfectly straight - you only get one chance. I do like the personal touch it adds to the piece.
I was very pleased with the framing, especially the museum glass. I highly recommend it. With discounts the framing price was just under $200 (triple mat, acid free mats, and museum glass). That and the print that I did myself on an Epson Stylus Photo 2200, was my donation for the event. The print size is 13"x 18.5" and the frame is 20"x24".
Frankly, I was hoping it would sell for more. However, it did sell for a decent price and the money goes to the school. Also there was a lot of buzz about it throughout the evening. Plus I got to be hero to my wife for participating in the event in a meaningful way. The gala is a very big deal for the school and the teachers.
Obviously, you are not a lefty. If I did that it would be smeared all along the matte ;)
Thanks for posting the closeup and info. I've not been brave enough to sign any prints. Well, I did sign and number the back of one canvas, but nothing on front so far.
