Icon Gallery Buyer’s Guide

Photography as an Investment

Fine art has always been a solid and comparatively dependable financial investment. Although values may fluctuate, quality works have always been found to appreciate over time. Fine art photography offers a great opportunity for collectors, especially because it often costs less than buying paintings or sculpture. Of course, we believe that your investment should be not only financial, but also aesthetic. We encourage you to follow your tastes, style, and instincts. Buy and collect what you like, look for images and subjects that inspire, and the enjoyment you derive will certainly be just as important as your financial returns.

Originality & Authenticity

Only a photograph that is printed and signed by the photographer during their lifetime is considered an original. Posthumous editions are often authorized by a photographer’s estate and may be stamped or embossed with an official seal. We think that these “later” prints are not equivalent in either collectability or value, and they may not be produced to the same standards of quality demanded by the photographer during their lifetime. Therefore, every print we offer is acquired from the original photographer, produced to the highest archival standards, hand signed, and printed only as many times as the edition allows.

Limited Edition Prints

Limited Edition prints are produced in predefined numbers by the photographer or under their direct supervision. Restricted production makes limited editions more exclusive and, therefore, more valuable—all other things being equal, smaller editions usually command higher prices. Limited editions are made with a commitment that no other reproductions will be made in that particular size and format. Each print is hand signed and inscribed with numbers that indicate the size of the edition and the unique number of the individual print.

Artist Proofs

Artist Proofs (often designated “A/P”) are a tradition in printmaking as “test prints” to ensure that limited edition prints are of the quality required. Artist proofs are generally limited to 10% or less of the regular edition size. Artist proofs are often considered to be more valuable because there are fewer available and they may differ slightly from the final edition prints.

Open Edition Prints

Not all images are available as limited editions. The designation Open Edition is used when the number of prints made of a specific image are not restricted or predetermined. Open edition prints are signed, but not individually numbered, and can be offered at a price that is substantially lower than that of limited edition prints. This may be more accessible for—and appealing to—beginning collectors.

Escalating Edition Pricing

Limited edition prints may all be sold at the same price or may be subject to periodic increases. Some prints are sold on a tiered structure where the price is subject to gradual increases as the edition sells out. This graduated pricing model protects the value for collectors who buy early in the edition. The choice of how to price images is left up to the individual photographer.

Fine Art Printing

Each photographer uses different printing methods, but are all considered to be archival quality according to current industry standards. Archival prints are produced using materials and techniques designed to promote longevity and, if properly maintained, should last well beyond a lifetime.

Archival Pigment Prints

Archival Pigment printing is considered to be the highest-quality digital reproduction technique. Archival pigment prints are produced through a computer-controlled process very similar to that of modern inkjet printers. Fine-art prints are digitally produced using fade-resistant, pigment-based inks printed on archival substrates. This ensures outstanding light fastness and stability, as well as flawless color reproduction across an extremely wide tonal range.

Silver Gelatin Prints

Silver Gelatin prints are traditional black & white photographic prints produced directly from a film negative in a darkroom. Photographic paper is coated with a layer of light-sensitive silver emulsion and is chemically processed to develop an image utilizing techniques that have remained largely unchanged since the 1880s. Silver gelatin printing has a proven track record of archival stability—under ideal conditions, prints will last over 100 years without visible fading. Silver gelatin prints typically give deep rich blacks, crisp whites, and a smooth range of tones in between.

Platinum Prints

Platinum prints are similar to silver gelatin prints but use non-reactive platinum compounds instead of silver chemistry. This early process originated in the 1830s and has been favored by some of history’s greatest photographers. Platinum prints are expensive to produce and require a high degree of technical competence. Platinum prints provide rich tones and the greatest dynamic range of any printing method—resulting in superior depth and detail. Platinum prints are also known for their superb image stability and unrivaled archival properties. It is estimated that a properly made platinum print can last thousands of years.

Chromogenic Prints (C‑Prints)

The Chromogenic print process was first developed by Kodak in the 1940s and is the most common type of contemporary color photograph. Chromogenic printmaking is a traditional lab process that uses chemistry to develop at least three light-sensitive silver emulsion layers. These prints may be produced from original color negatives, slides, or from digital files (often referred to as a “Digital C‑Print” or “Lambda” print). C‑Prints have a higher dynamic range and more subtle gradations than archival pigment prints, resulting in a truly beautiful photograph featuring superior color saturation and fidelity.

Cibachrome (Ilfochrome) Prints

The Cibachrome process of printing from color transparencies (slides) was first introduced in 1963. Although still widely referred to as Cibachrome, Ilford purchased the technology from the original developer (Ciba-Geigy) and the process was renamed “Ilfochrome” in 1992. Cibachromes can generally be distinguished by the high-gloss—almost mirror-like—reflective quality of the paper, superior image clarity, and rich, saturated colors. Because of the exceptionally stable AZO dyes embedded in the emulsion, Cibachromes are renowned as the longest lasting and most fade-resistant of all color prints, with unprecedented archival quality.

Care & Handling

Photographs are easily damaged, but with some sound judgment and simple precautions, your fine art prints will look exceptional and will continue to be enjoyed for many generations to come. Treating your prints as though you were a museum curator is also the best defense in protecting their financial value.

• Handle your print carefully from the edges with clean, dry hands or—if possible—white cotton art-handling gloves
• Store your prints flat, separated with acid-free slip sheets, and away from anything that might damage their surface
• Keep your prints in a stable environment, away from fluctuations or extremes of temperature or relative humidity
• Always frame your prints properly, using archival-grade materials and processes
• Never hang or display your prints in direct sunlight, strong indirect daylight or under fluorescent lighting
• Insure your prints against damage or loss with a “rider” on your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance

Framing

We do not offer standard framing options. We believe that every photograph deserves detailed consideration in order to determine the appropriate framing treatment. Professional custom matting and framing services are available, and we are happy to consult and present options that will complement your style and space. Please contact Customer Support at support@icongallery.com for further information.

Lighting

Choosing proper lighting is an important part of exhibiting your art for the best effect. Natural light is the best choice for color rendition and accuracy, but it also is damaging to artwork. Fluorescent lighting distorts colors and casts high levels of ultraviolet radiation that will accelerate image fading and discoloration. Incandescent lighting creates warmer tones that may cause a color imbalance in your print. Halogen lighting has a color temperature that is closest to natural light—making it a very popular choice—and is ideal for illuminating most images.

Although light-emitting diodes have been around for over a century, recent advances in technology have launched a new era of LED-based fixtures. Efforts to phase out incandescent bulbs have also driven significant improvements in lighting technology—LED lights last longer than other types of bulbs, have extremely low power consumption, contain no toxic chemicals, and offer superior color rendition. LED bulbs produce minimal heat and emit virtually no damaging ultraviolet radiation, which also makes them a perfect choice for showcasing valuable artwork.

Display

Art has a transformative power. It enhances and enriches the spaces where we live and work and adds color to our lives. Our goal is to help you discover iconic images that reignite your passion for music and create a unique experience that complements your lifestyle and aesthetic tastes. Carefully consider the placement of your purchase to enhance your viewing pleasure and maximize its emotional impact. Say goodbye to bare walls, and make your space as distinctive as you are.

Custom Size Prints

Custom print sizes or larger sizes than those available on this site may be available by special order. Please contact Customer Support at support@icongallery.com for quotes on specific images, and we’ll help you find the best print for your space.

Black & White Conversion

Many of the color photos in our gallery can be converted for reproduction as black & white fine art prints. If you are interested in a black & white print, please contact Customer Support at support@icongallery.com, and we will be happy to assist you with your request.