I don't get it
Dec 12, 2014 04:54:48 #
A few years ago I saw a colour photo of Antelope Canyon by Peter Lik.
At the time, not knowing that this was a well-known natural phenomenon, I was very impressed and, noting he had a highly inflated price on it I assumed this was also a very unique shot.
But that was before I did a search and found there was any number of very similar photos by many other photographers - (leaving me wondering if they copied him or he copied them).
Anyway, he's now re-processed the original colour photo, done a slight crop and applied a black and white conversion and sold it for $6.5 million! ... I know he is a master of self promotion, but I just don't get it - why would ANYone pay that much?
Here's the colour version
http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2011/01/27/5937543-natures-best-photography-antelope-canyon-ariz
And here's the B/W version in a Guardian article - I tend to somewhat agree with the authors comments
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2014/dec/10/most-expensive-photograph-ever-hackneyed-tasteless
(view them side by side)
At the time, not knowing that this was a well-known natural phenomenon, I was very impressed and, noting he had a highly inflated price on it I assumed this was also a very unique shot.
But that was before I did a search and found there was any number of very similar photos by many other photographers - (leaving me wondering if they copied him or he copied them).
Anyway, he's now re-processed the original colour photo, done a slight crop and applied a black and white conversion and sold it for $6.5 million! ... I know he is a master of self promotion, but I just don't get it - why would ANYone pay that much?
Here's the colour version
http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2011/01/27/5937543-natures-best-photography-antelope-canyon-ariz
And here's the B/W version in a Guardian article - I tend to somewhat agree with the authors comments
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2014/dec/10/most-expensive-photograph-ever-hackneyed-tasteless
(view them side by side)
Dec 12, 2014 05:08:56 #
Not only do I wonder why anyone would pay so much, I also wonder why they would pay for something that isn't even particularly good. I have several shots from within the canyon that I feel are superior to this photo. In fact, I still fail to see what all the fuss is about.
I don't get it either.
I don't get it either.
Dec 12, 2014 05:18:26 #
johnske wrote:
but I just don't get it - why would ANYone pay that much?
but I just don't get it - why would ANYone pay that much?
Because they can?? :lol
SS
Dec 12, 2014 05:21:53 #
I did see this image yesterday I think but didn't give it a second glance let alone read the story and see the price. To me it's an ok image but lacks detail, the B & W has more detail but surely it should be in colour. Each to their own I guess :D
Dec 12, 2014 05:35:21 #
johnske wrote:
Anyway, he's now re-processed the original colour photo, done a slight crop and applied a black and white conversion and sold it for $6.5 million! ... I know he is a master of self promotion, but I just don't get it - why would ANYone pay that much?
I saw that article a couple of days ago. I guess if you can afford to spend $6.5 mill on a photo, money isn't a big worry in your life. The buyer is probably hoping to sell it for more in the future.
Dec 12, 2014 05:43:02 #
DaveHam
Loc: Reading UK
Some photographers are good enough at self promotion to attract the attention of the arty big budget sector of the human race where in part the process of having spent so much on an image is as important as the image itself.
Lots of us will make statements like 'the picture is nothing special', 'I have similar I think are just as good'; that may be the case. What these commentators lack is the focus, dedication and self promotion skills this photographer has in spadefulls.
And for the record personally I would not rate any of Lik's work that I have seen worth one thousandth of the price paid for this.
Lots of us will make statements like 'the picture is nothing special', 'I have similar I think are just as good'; that may be the case. What these commentators lack is the focus, dedication and self promotion skills this photographer has in spadefulls.
And for the record personally I would not rate any of Lik's work that I have seen worth one thousandth of the price paid for this.
Dec 12, 2014 07:09:57 #
johnske wrote:
Anyway, he's now re-processed the original colour photo, done a slight crop and applied a black and white conversion and sold it for $6.5 million! ... I know he is a master of self promotion, but I just don't get it - why would ANYone pay that much?
Anyway, he's now re-processed the original colour photo, done a slight crop and applied a black and white conversion and sold it for $6.5 million! ... I know he is a master of self promotion, but I just don't get it - why would ANYone pay that much?
I hope it was at least framed for that price, and had a hanger on the back?
Dec 12, 2014 10:00:49 #
Dec 12, 2014 10:55:57 #
TheDman
Loc: USA
The more I read about this guy the more it becomes clear that he's simply a pathological liar, so I now doubt this "sale" ever happened. There's marketing, and then there's outright BSing.
Take this photo for instance. That's great if you want to make a composite image and all (although this is a particularly hack job of it), but don't lie to our faces and tell us the following ridiculously melodramatic, trumped-up story of how you "captured" it:
This shot has eluded me my entire photographic career. I have spent years trying to perfect this image, there are so many variables you don't even think about. It's a really touchy image, but when it all lines up, the result is out of this world literally. I have drawers full of transparencies that I have shot over decades that just didn't cut it. I tried all the variables--different lenses, exposures, compositions, times, then much to my frustration the results back from the lab were always disappointing.
The remoteness of Kodachrome Basin in Utah was an obvious choice to finally nail this elusive image; remote, clean air, and a selection of cliff tops to shoot from. I had been watching the phase of the moon and tonight the moon was close to full. I had a specific composition in my mind and I searched for days to line up this classic tree with the moon. Tonight I hope it all comes together. It was a long night but I knew at some point my perseverance would be rewarded.
I was white-knuckled as I set up the mammoth lens, filling the viewfinder with this balanced scene, the tree framed amongst the rocks and the low lying clouds added to the tension... this had to work. The desert silence was stunning, my pulse raced, I could hear the blood running through my veins. Then, I saw the horizon starting to glow. The golden sphere slowly rose in front of me. I was totally stunned. I couldn't believe it. So connected to this lunar giant that I was trembling. Such an impact on my life. I pressed the shutter, a feeling I'll never forget. The moon, tree, and earth.
I hope to share with you this amazing connection I had on this special evening with the moon, that affects our lives. It certainly affected mine.
Peter Lik
Master Photographer AIPP, PPA; FBIPP, FRPS
The air was so clear that the moon jumped in front of the clouds! LOL!!!
Take this photo for instance. That's great if you want to make a composite image and all (although this is a particularly hack job of it), but don't lie to our faces and tell us the following ridiculously melodramatic, trumped-up story of how you "captured" it:
This shot has eluded me my entire photographic career. I have spent years trying to perfect this image, there are so many variables you don't even think about. It's a really touchy image, but when it all lines up, the result is out of this world literally. I have drawers full of transparencies that I have shot over decades that just didn't cut it. I tried all the variables--different lenses, exposures, compositions, times, then much to my frustration the results back from the lab were always disappointing.
The remoteness of Kodachrome Basin in Utah was an obvious choice to finally nail this elusive image; remote, clean air, and a selection of cliff tops to shoot from. I had been watching the phase of the moon and tonight the moon was close to full. I had a specific composition in my mind and I searched for days to line up this classic tree with the moon. Tonight I hope it all comes together. It was a long night but I knew at some point my perseverance would be rewarded.
I was white-knuckled as I set up the mammoth lens, filling the viewfinder with this balanced scene, the tree framed amongst the rocks and the low lying clouds added to the tension... this had to work. The desert silence was stunning, my pulse raced, I could hear the blood running through my veins. Then, I saw the horizon starting to glow. The golden sphere slowly rose in front of me. I was totally stunned. I couldn't believe it. So connected to this lunar giant that I was trembling. Such an impact on my life. I pressed the shutter, a feeling I'll never forget. The moon, tree, and earth.
I hope to share with you this amazing connection I had on this special evening with the moon, that affects our lives. It certainly affected mine.
Peter Lik
Master Photographer AIPP, PPA; FBIPP, FRPS
The air was so clear that the moon jumped in front of the clouds! LOL!!!
Dec 12, 2014 11:08:23 #
TheDman wrote:
The more I read about this guy the more it becomes... (show quote)
This sort of salesmanship goes for all kinds of photography stuff; music stuff...all kinds of things.
Just like Andy Warhol's Soup Cans. :)
Dec 12, 2014 11:10:20 #
SharpShooter wrote:
Because they can?? :lol
SS
SS
There was an article in the WSJ a couple weeks ago about the world of ultra high priced art. Stuff like 42 million dollar sculptures etc.
They made one point about the people who buy these things. There are only so many extravagant houses you can buy, eventually you start looking for stuff to fill them with.
Dec 12, 2014 11:13:19 #
I like the idea that a photo tells a story.
I also wonder what the story is in this one?
For example: the light shape in the middle: Is it a waterfall going into that blown-out area near the bottom? Or is it a genie rising out of an opening in what? Water? Sand? and brightly lit from below?
The swirls on either side - smoke?
I'm sorry, and with all due respect to the photographer and to the buyer, who both obviously liked this photo, but I wouldn't pay 6 1/2 dollars for it - much less 6 1/2 million...
I also wonder what the story is in this one?
For example: the light shape in the middle: Is it a waterfall going into that blown-out area near the bottom? Or is it a genie rising out of an opening in what? Water? Sand? and brightly lit from below?
The swirls on either side - smoke?
I'm sorry, and with all due respect to the photographer and to the buyer, who both obviously liked this photo, but I wouldn't pay 6 1/2 dollars for it - much less 6 1/2 million...
Dec 12, 2014 11:13:59 #
TheDman
Loc: USA
rpavich wrote:
This sort of salesmanship goes for all kinds of photography stuff; music stuff...all kinds of things.
Just like Andy Warhol's Soup Cans. :)
Just like Andy Warhol's Soup Cans. :)
At least Worhol didn't claim to have received divine inspiration to paint the soup cans and that he'd never seen a can of Campbell's soup in his life. :)
Dec 12, 2014 11:28:58 #
TheDman wrote:
The more I read about this guy the more it becomes clear that he's simply a pathological liar, so I now doubt this "sale" ever happened. There's marketing, and then there's outright BSing.
...
Peter Lik
Master Photographer AIPP, PPA; FBIPP, FRPS[/i]
The air was so clear that the moon jumped in front of the clouds! LOL!!!
...
Peter Lik
Master Photographer AIPP, PPA; FBIPP, FRPS[/i]
The air was so clear that the moon jumped in front of the clouds! LOL!!!
Agree with the BS'ing ;-)
And his signature line is missing - BS, MS, and PHD -
Bull S*^&
More of the Same
Piled Higher and Deeper
Dec 12, 2014 11:43:39 #
johnske wrote:
Anyway, he's now re-processed the original colour photo, done a slight crop and applied a black and white conversion and sold it for $6.5 million! ... I know he is a master of self promotion, but I just don't get it - why would ANYone pay that much?
Are you sure the photograph sold was in black and white and not colour? Although the article you linked to illustrates the photo in black and white, as far as I can tell, no article mentions specifically that it was a black and white photograph that was sold.
Why would anyone pay that much? Buy it at $6.5 M, later sell it at $7M... and you have increased your bank account by a half million dollars. Well, subtract taxes and other related expenses of course. Also, imagine all those celebrities and international dignitaries knocking on your door to get a look at the famous print!
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