Need Advise on Pricing Contest winning Photo

[dudedudedude]

I just won a contest at my university, UVA, and many people have expressed interest in buying prints. Here is a link to the photo:
http://www.uvamagazine.org/site/c.esJNK1PIJrH/b.4745569/

I normally sell at the following rate:

8*10 -$30
16*20 -$45
20*30 -$70

However this is a very unique shot and I thought that I may be able to sell it for more although I am a small fry right now so I can get more equipment. Basically, what would be a realistic pricing scheme for such a shot. Any suggestions would be very appreciated.

[FlyingPhotog]

Excellent Image and congrats on the win...

IMO, your pricing here is too low.
$40 .. $60 .. $125 at least

[Dermit]

Nice shot! I like it. As far a s pricing, that is tricky. You got to factor in your specific market, plus art is very subjective as to value. But personally your 8x10 price is about right, 16x20 is too low, and 20x30 is way too low. Do yourself a favor and print this up on a 16x20 or 20x30 metallic. The metallic will rocket this shot and you should be able to get good money for reprints just by showing this one in metallic.... probably should have it dry mounted as well. i would make your 16x20 at least $90 and probably more, and your 20x30 closer to $200 or more.... but that's just me. Some people will say that is too low... some will say too high. Again it comes down to perceived value weighed against market value.

[dudedudedude]

Thanks,

I was thinking I might be low

[FlyingPhotog]

Now that I think about and also having read Dermit's suggestion re: metallic paper, yeah, he's got a better price range in mind...

[johncolby]

Greetings Sean! I'm in the MSTP at UCLA...neat to see you're in it out at UVa!

If you're looking to do the metallic printing, I've had great results with El-Co Color Labs. Their poster special (http://www.elcocolor.com/poster_special.htm) is hard to beat. Turn around/shipping is quick too.

Great capture too...how long was the exposure?

[dudedudedude]

John,

Thanks for the info and compliment. Nice to see another photographer in medicine. I might be heading over to your side of the coast for residency if I can work it out. Like to see those west coast mountains and dunes. The exposure was between 1 and 1.5 hours.

[sapearl]

Congrats, and very nicely done - you certainly don't see images like that everyday :D.

I agree with what Jay is saying about your pricing being on the low side. Very often people DO attribute worth/value to who much they pay for an item, especially in the "art world." When you make a sale, will it be matted and framed? That would certainly enhance it's beauty and value and also enable you to increase your price. I'll take another approach too and recommend that you make it available only at a particular size.

Some images are fine small. Others really have impact when printed larger. Something TOO big will be too expensive, take up too much wall space and won't sell. Consider offering this only as an 11x14 OR a 16x20 (if you feel the resolution will hold), mount it in an archival white mat, put it in a simple black metal (Neilson style) frame, and price it at $175. - Stu

[snyderman]

First of all, congrats on snagging top honors. Beautiful shot.

When selling anything, you have to first understand your cost base. Then, add on a reasonable profit margin and price accordingly.

All the best for brisk sales!

dave

[Buckeye1]

John,

Thanks for the info and compliment. Nice to see another photographer in medicine. I might be heading over to your side of the coast for residency if I can work it out. Like to see those west coast mountains and dunes. The exposure was between 1 and 1.5 hours.

Wow! What time of the night was that taken? How do you keep people from walking into the scene??

[johncolby]

Wow, indeed! No wonder you mentioned on the contest site that your toes were starting to freeze by the end!

[sapearl]

I will hazard a guess that it was a lengthy exposure owing to the star trails, and that any pedestrians literally "walked through" the exposure ?;)

Wow! What time of the night was that taken? How do you keep people from walking into the scene??

[Dermit]

Wow! What time of the night was that taken? How do you keep people from walking into the scene??

A thousand people could have walked through the scene and not showed up on the exposure.