Collectors' Corner: Finding A Guide

MEG member Timothy Hyde collected fine-art photography for years before he took up a camera.  Over the past two decades, he has built an extensive collection that includes works from emerging and well-known photographers of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Arbus, Mann, Winogrand, Eggleston, and many others.  Tim shares his thoughts here and in subsequent posts on some of the opportunities and pitfalls in collecting fine-art photography in the rapidly-evolving art market. 

The sale of photographic works in traditional galleries is a fairly recent phenomenon.   In 1975 there were probably fewer than five such galleries in the entire country.  Sadly, perhaps, the explosion of fine-art photography galleries in the 90’s has become something of an implosion in the past four or five years.   Partly due to the economy, partly due to competition from online forces (as in so many other areas of commerce), the gallery world is contracting.   The art scene has also become a lot more complicated and less straightforward. 

                                                                 (c) Tim Hyde

For the collector of photographic prints, this is both a problem and an opportunity.  It is a problem because the emerging collector used to be able find a seasoned gallerist who would not take advantage of the emerging client, but who would act as a guide…helping the client build his or her collection not only from within that gallery, but also through multiple other sources. Now the collector is increasingly forced to rely on the various online and ad-hoc resources available.The opportunity part comes with the huge expansion of online galleries and resources, the growth of “cooperative” galleries like Multiple Exposures Gallery, and the increase in the range and number of art fairs around the country.   

It is an exciting time for the collector willing to invest the time necessary to navigate this complicated world and to seek advice from those who have adjusted to the new environment. A local example of this development is Kathleen Ewing.  For many years, Ms. Ewing operated Kathleen Ewing Gallery, one of the most prestigious fine-art photo galleries in the country.  Situated in the Dupont Circle area, her gallery was, in fact, was one of the earliest specializing in photographic works of art.   Ms. Ewing closed her stand-alone gallery in 2009, and now works out of her home in Northwest DC.  She still represents a number of prominent photographers, still mounts exhibitions, still shows work, but now by appointment only...or, as elsewhere, online.  While the physical gallery may be gone, Ms. Ewing is still an essential guide for emerging collectors in the metropolitan DC area. A cup of tea and a discussion or two in her home is a great way to get started.