No.1 Buy the work you love
The most important element of collecting artworks must be finding works that you love, rather than finding works that you've heard of. When you love a piece of work that intensely influences you, touches your heart, or makes life more meaningful to you, these are good reasons to purchase a piece.
No.2 Know the Edition
The edition in photography is equivalent to an identity card for an artwork. For example, with work or certificate numbers as 1/10, 10, it tells you that there are 10 copies of this specific work, and this piece is the first one. If there is no number, marking AP (Artist Proof) indicates that it is reserved for the artist, and in most cases there are only two prints in an edition marked AP.
No.3 Know the Medium and Scale
There are many types of photography materials, Ink Jet print being the most common one. If collectors want to maintain the photos for more than 100 years, they may consider works printed on acid-free paper with mineral pigments. There are a variety of traditional photo mediums; the most common types are Pigment print, Type C print, Cibachrome and Dye transfer prints, among others. Dye transfer prints have been discontinued, so the price of this medium will cost you an arm and a leg. Moreover, you should keep track of the scale before you make the purchase, so that you know the photos will fit in the places you want to hang them.
No.4 Condition
Before buying a work, you need to check the condition of the work, to note any damages or fading, so as to protect your rights as the owner.
No.5 Storage
Storage is extremely important for buyers to note before collecting.To prevent photography works from deteriorating, they should not be exposed to the sun or to an extremely humid environment. The most suitable environment for photography is below 21 ℃ (or 15 ~ 21 ℃) with a humidity RH value between 30% and 50%.
No.6 Provenance
Information regarding work’s provenance is important. Work bought from the photographer or his family is reliable. Usually, auction companies possess detailed provenance records. When buying from a reliable gallery, collectors should ask about the provenance of the works in question.
No.7 Documentation and Catalogues
Ideally, when you purchase a work, records will contain albums, publications, news report, or articles. It is recommended to collect albums or related publications while buying photography works.
No.8 Artist Signature/Certificate
Normally, photographers will sign their autographs and label the edition on the works. If you are concerned about the provenance or authenticity of the work, you should do further verification. If there is no signature or edition on the work, make sure you have a certificate with artist's signature as proof.
Photo2 Wu Cheng-Chang, Seeing and Construction—Circle, 2005
Photo3 Liu Yi-Chun, Theater Part 1, 2012-2016
Bottom Photo examination at Taipei Fine Art Museum
