Original fine photographic prints themselves can possess an indefinable aura. Some people put this down to the alchemy of the photographic process, others to the "presence" of the subject, relayed so directly and transparently by the medium itself. However it may be that they exert their influence, fine photographs can offer us a centre of stillness for contemplation, illuminate the Human Condition, or transport us to a different intellectual plane.
There seems to be widespread agreement amongst collectors that the starting point for collecting photographs is to seek out images that appeal to our own personal taste. There are certainly photo-gallery directors who will discourage purchasers intent on buying for investment value alone, the principle being that we should feel happy to live with our choice - and it would be impossible to build a collection of any coherence in such a way. After all, photographers create their work to be seen, to share their vision and communicate their insights to a wider audience.
This said, there are indications that the investment value of carefully selected portfolios of fine photographs have ranked well with other forms of financial investment over the last decade or more.
So we hope that, as we enter the second year of our publication, you will appreciate our continuing search for beautiful and interesting images to present within these pages, whether valuable classic pictures by master photographers, allowing you the opportunity to invest in a slice of photographic history, or new work reflecting the exciting diversity that makes up the world of photography today.
- Piers Rawson