Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I am stuck on b&w and a bigger size. Statistics say color and 5x7 / 8x10 are the most sold.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

That would probably depend on where you are trying to sell them and what your target audience is, along with the quality of your work. Where did you get your statistics?

Chan Garrett

Some years ago, I attended an outdoor art show where I found an older, very dignified looking photographer exhibiting both color and black and white prints. I asked him if he sold many of the black and whites. His answer; "Tourist buy color. Collectors buy black and white."

MrPhotog

Have you considered publishing a collection of several photos in a booklet and selling it as a ‘tour guide’?

On a trip to Europe I shot thousands of pictures, but I also bought several ‘coffee table’ books with images of museums and art collections. These were Mostly for myself, but they would have made nice gifts for friends, and cheaper than making them prints.

The full-page and half-page images would be about the size you are considering. You could do both B&W and color images as well. Sell them as a group.

Let’s say you are photographing a famous church or architectural monument. Working with the approval of their managers, Over a period of time you could assemble photos of areas not usually seen by visitors, and capture images at times that tourists are not usually around.

It used-to-be that the big market for these images was postcards—somewhat smaller sized than you would like to sell. These would be printed by the thousands and sold to retailers in quantity. The retailers would eventually sell them at low cost, but a profitable price. If they got a million tourists and sold a few thousand postcards in a year it was a good part of the tourist business. Unfortunately fewer people send post cards these days, so the market os much smaller.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

I'm not so sure about 5x7. People print family photos for Christmas cards in 5x7. Most people who buy photos don't, because they are considered not worth the money. I'm sure you've heard the old saying: "There are lies, damned lies, and statistics."

ecurb Loc: Metro Chicago Area

Just what are you asking ?

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Good point!

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

It seems clear to me what he is asking. He want to sell prints, and he is doing large black and white prints. He believes some statistics show color prints at 5x7 or 8x10 sell better, and he wants feed back on that. He's just not giving us enough information to help him, like where and to whom does he want to sell, and where did he get his statistics.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

As I said earlier in the thread, I have grave doubts about the marketability of 5x7 prints.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I guess we'll have to wait and see if the OP returns to clarify his post.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I am asking what is your experience or research in what sells better. B&W or color.
I would like to do larger printers for home walls and collectors of interesting images and photo illustration.
Thanks for the comments more are welcome.
PS statistics right or wrong or skewed are how the world and marketing work.
Algorithms are ruling decisions and promotions in most of our life
and you may know this or not. Census controls how much you get from
the government and services.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Additional info: I have been following photography most of my life. As a young Art Director in NY worked as an agency Asst. Art Director and worked with image makers like Pete Turner. Being in advertising and graphics
I was around imagery and Art Direction. I follow the high end imagery and the fill the wall places. Have gone to Art Basil for a few years. Follow other sites like Saatchi and just Art.com. And research online and ask questions. Observation is probably the best way to make decisions.
I had a tragedy recently my wife had a bad cath and is now parazlyzed from a stroke. I have been working
on this print business for 5 years prep. I now would like to retail and make a few bucks to help
with the large out-of-pocket for my wifes disability.

User ID

Agree.

The market price for a 5/7 is so low that it hints to a buyer that the thing is so trivial it’s not worth owning.

nikonbrain Loc: Crystal River Florida

Most of my experience printing is printing for clients that show at art shows and local galleries from 9 x 12 and up. A selection of these sizes from 9 x 12 to 44 x 120 . Most chose to have multiple sizes of each image to cover the pocket books of customers . From 5 x7 folded note cards with the image on front description and name of the image on the flip . And your email and ph# for reorder at the bottom in smaller font of facing page leaving room for the buyer to pen a letter to recipient these can be bought at "Desktop publishing " and everything needed to make from Envelope to scored notecard and glasscene packaging for under @100.00 for 100 sets we sell these @ $3.95 each or 3 for $10.00. I have 1 customer sell at least $100.00 of these at each art show sometimes on a slow show he at least covers his booth fees . You can also get a template to set up and make these cards . Next size is 9 x 12 x 1 1/2 gallery wrap canvases sell very well sized for tourists or visitors to take home in luggage also matted prints at this size . Next size 12 x 16 ,also very popular and the most asked for after note cards . Then 18 x 24 , 24 x 32 , and 24 x 36 is real popular in areas where customers have bigger walls in more effluent homes ..not uncommon are 20 x 50 gallery wrap canvas . Usually these are landscape panoramas of beach sunrises and sunsets in our area . Paper satin prints and canvases for smaller sizes with gallery wrap canvases for larger . None of my customers sell black and white it would be collectors as someone suggested . And definitely larger the better with matching mat and well framed images . In florida everyone wants large black and white images of Florida artist Clyde Butcher whose work is reminiscent of Ansel Adams and also prints very large up to 8 feet x 10 feet wet prints in his south Florida gallery .If your black and white images are of this caliber you will do well . I have not had the pleasure yet to print this style as I believe the artists are not that common or good it takes more talent to do a great Black and white as it does a great color image ... do not forget calendars and books of your popular images you can get the books at Walgreens and CVS 50% off certain times a year ...Happy selling to You

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Thanks everyone I appreciate the sizings and thoughtful replies. Tom