The notion of fine-art print refers to photographic reproductions on paper limited to 30 copies, signed and numbered, made under the artist’s control. These procedures guarantee a special tax and legal status for the work, combined with tax exemption possibilities.
But in fact, it is a defensive reaction of photography, aiming to organize the artificial scarcity of prints to enter a speculative art market, and to create a legitimacy based on the (almost) unique piece to respect the tradition of fine arts. This scarcity benefits neither the artists nor the public, but only a few speculators and a handful of artists at the top of the food chain. It does not guarantee the income of artists and discourages many potential buyers because of the prices it imposes. In fact, there is no argument that justifies limited editions, other than to fit into the habits of a deliberately elitist art market.
I have abandoned limited edition art prints in 2021 and reduced my prices accordingly, to reach a wider audience selected by their interest in my work rather than by their resources. Photographs sold in limited editions of 30 copies before 2021 will remain in limited editions until stocks run out, out of respect for customers who have already purchased them under these terms. The methods and papers used for the prints remain the same and continue to use the best options available today for longevity of preservation and color quality.
For those customers who wish to do so, and considering the special relationship to the work that they may legitimately seek, all prints are also offered signed and numbered (although not limited) with an additional charge.