if I knew then what I knew now....

Calina

That's probably not the most appropriate title.

One of my favourite photographers is Ric Steiniger who does landscapes in Australia. I was in his gallery in Cairns 18 months or so ago and I bought one of his prints. It's in a photo roll at my parents place, along with a bundle of Philippe Plisson prints, all waiting for me to get my own place, or at least not have to share with flatmates and an accommodating landlord on the picture hook front. The day I was in the gallery, Ric was in the gallery signing stuff and I just said hello, and walked away with my print, which was like a huge luxury to me at the time because it wasn't just a repro, but an actual signed print.

I know the guy has a gallery and all that...but if I knew then what I know about taking photographs now, particularly in terms of stuff that I've blown up big and stuff (prior to going digital I only ever printed two pictures larger than 6x4), the one thing I would have asked is this: "How do you decide what to hang on your walls at home, is it all your own stuff or do you go for something completely different?

Does anyone else wonder about this? I have a moratorium on buying other people's posters at the moment (there''s one outstanding exception from Plisson) on the grounds that I have so many of my own photographs that I want to hang - and I'm at the stage where I have almost too many, plus a desire to print them big, eg 30x20 inches where possible. When the decision is for you, what would make you choose the ones you do? I'd be interested to know what you think, and, if I had the opportunity to ask other guys, like the Peter Liks and the Ric Steinigers and the Philippe Plissons if they hang their own photographs on their own walls, what makes them choose they ones that they choose?

ThOnda

As a simple man, I have a simple answer. I make big prints only for some occasions - exhibitions or gifts. But I do print smaller ones to have them and to look at them anytime and without turning on my PC.
And talking about other peoples' photos, it's more difficult. I like photos that cannot be on any wall without calling an ambulance. And those I like and could be on a wall won't be understood by the people around me.
And to completely admit my ignorance, I have always big calendars with pictures of paintings, mostly impressionistic. Very inspiring, but not photos.

PopeBuckfastXVI

Calina wrote: »

have to share with flatmates and an accommodating landlord on the picture hook front.

Rent is dead money

RoryW

PopeBuckfastXVI wrote: »

Rent is dead money

Ah yes but without getting into a view on the property market debate (there are other forums for this), if Calina had bought say 12 mths ago, her property would be worth less know that she would have paid for it based on average declines in the property market. The rent she would have paid in the last year would be less than this decline so she has actually saved money ! (assuming of course that she buys "soon") and with this "saved" money, she can buy some more gear !!

As for landlords I would have thought Calina that any landlord would be delighted to have his property decorated with some of your framed pictures. A picture hung properly on the wall is far better than a "poster" stuck on the wall with blutac. In the worst case when you move on you can leave the hook in the wall or if he wants it removed a little polyfiller and paint and its as good as new.

back on topic, I think the main thing is to occassionally select photos and print them whatever the size. I think it is too easy to admire photos on a screen and never get around to printing them and then they get lost in the mists of time.

I think people would prefer to have their own pictures on the wall where possible as its cheaper than buying someone elses and also when you see it you remember the background to the photo and it triggers the memories etc

/ends rambling post