Sales & Services
Buy Fine Art Photography
Fine Art Photography or Posters?
Why is fine art photography more expensive than posters? What's the difference between the two?
Fine art photography is a work of art.
Fine art photography is printed on real photographic archival paper that will last for decades.
Posters are printed on thin paper that tears easily and is not meant to last.
Fine art photography is special and unique because few copies are printed. You will be only one of a few people in the world displaying that piece of art in your home or office.
Posters are mass-produced.
Fine Art Photography Processing, Printing, and Archival Quality
Irene does all pre-print processing herself, adjusting color temperature, tonality, saturation, and other image qualities to perfection. The fine art photos are then printed using professional printers on real Kodak professional photographic paper to create "digital photo prints." This technology uses lasers to expose real photographic paper, which is then developed using traditional wet chemical processing methods.
Irene offers a choice of luster or metallic Kodak professional photographic papers for her fine art photography. Luster is a cross between matte and glossy, but is much nicer than either. Metallic paper gives a metallic sheen to the photograph, so that white appears silvery and colors are super vibrant. Metallic is Irene’s personal favorite and is what she usually uses when exhibiting in fine art galleries and fine art shows.
Both of these professional-grade Kodak archival papers boast state-of-the-art image stability properties, for example, up to 100 years or more in typical home display.
Open Editions vs. Limited Editions
Open editions may be printed an unlimited number of times in a certain size or on a certain paper, although they are still not mass-produced for sale. Irene’s 8x10 and 8x12 print sizes are usually sold as open editions. Prices for Irene’s open edition 8x10/8x12 fine art photographs range from $95 - $245 (matted).
Limited editions are editions of a photograph in a certain size and on a certain paper, where Irene has decided to limit the number of prints of that edition. Limited editions are therefore more valuable, because only a certain number will ever be printed and sold. Irene’s limited editions are usually in editions of 50 at a size of 11x14 and larger. Prices for Irene’s limited edition 11x14 fine art photographs start at $600 (matted and framed). Sizes range up to 20x30.
About Matting of Fine Art Photography
Most people view the purpose of matting as one of aesthetics – the matting beautifully frames the photograph and draws attention to it, so that a matted photograph looks better than an unmated one. However, the practical purpose of matting is to protect the photograph by preventing it from touching the glass of the frame. The matting material is also critical. Less expensive mats contain acid and lignin, and over time, the acid eats away at both the matting and the photo, causing the colors to fade and the photograph and mat to turn yellow.
Irene’s fine art photographs are matted with acid-free archival mats (open editions) and museum quality, 100% rag mats (limited editions).
Irene typically signs the mat in the bottom right hand corner and writes the title of the image on the bottom left of the mat, unless otherwise requested.
In-Gallery Purchase of LIMITED EDITIONS
Irene is represented by the Parish Gallery in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., which has been open since 1991. Owner/director Norman Parish also serves as the President of the Art Dealers Association of Greater Washington. You may view a selection of Irene's limited edition work by visiting Parish Gallery at:
Parish Gallery
Canal Square
1054 31st St., NW, Washington, DC 20007
Tel. 202-944-2310
E-mail: parishgallery@bigplanet.com
There are many other opportunities to view and purchase Irene's work through fine art galleries and art spaces. Irene exhibits frequently. Consult the calendar of events to find an ongoing or upcoming exhibit.
Web Purchase of LIMITED EDITIONS
A selection of Irene’s limited edition work on metallic photographic paper can be purchased through Art-Mine.com, which is managed by Agora Gallery in Chelsea, New York. The sizes listed are the print sizes (not the frame sizes), but the prices include matting and framing. Visit Irene Abdou’s Art-Mine.com portfolio to view the artwork.
In-Store Purchase of OPEN EDITIONS
A selection of open edition fine art photographs are available at Art Galaxy in Germantown, MD:
Art Galaxy
19725-C Germantown Rd., Germantown, MD 21704
Tel. 301-540-9055
http://www.artgalaxyframing.com/
Purchase through Irene Abdou Photography
Prefer to purchase directly from the artist? Please contact us for pricing information and/or to set up an appointment to view artwork.
E-mail: Irene Abdou Photography at photoswithsoul@gmail.com
Phone: 202-367-6071
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