Collection of fine art photography

Still, with a few exceptions, most people are still uncomfortable about collecting photography. Perhaps it’s time to change our pre-conceived ideas and open our minds to the wonderful world of top-class photography.

It’s important to divide the world of photography into two distinct parts. There is, on one hand, documentary photography which captures images of scenic landscapes, city life, everyday life and situations. Then, there’s message-based photography in which a photograph conveys a message or is a satire on our times, thinking or attitudes.

Artist Shilpa Gupta is perhaps the best example in the message-based category. She had people carrying bags wrapped in white canvas with the words “There is no explosive here” printed on them. She then photographed these people in different situations like at a metro station or getting out of a car in London. This was a clear satire on how everyone after the London metro blasts carrying a bag was treated with suspicion.

No one has captured the Indian scenario — whether it’s the Taj Mahal or just a beautiful landscape — better than the acclaimed photographer Raghu Rai. One of his medium-sized prints could cost you close to Rs 3 lakh, but the effect is magical. Then, there’s Dayanita Singh, who captures the moment and brings us the beauty of everyday life and also the magical Prabuddha Dasgupta.

Em·body- An exhibition of photographs

Wonderwall Presents

em·body

An exhibition of photographs
by

Saadiya Kochar
Vikas Malhotra
Ajay Rajgarhia

Preview: Thursday, 26th February 2009,
6:30pm Onwards

At:
Polka Art Gallery
E-5 Defence Colony
New Delhi 110024

The exhibition will be on view from 27th February to 7th March, 11am to 7pm.

Ajay Rajgarhia's photos tell you there is more to the mundane..

Two closed doors that Delhi based Ajay Rajgarhia captured in his camera are symbols of a major decision in his life. Two years ago, he closed the door on his garment business, and started taking photos for a living. More doors turn up as you inspect the fascicle of photos he has displayed, along with Kolkata- based photographer Leena Kejriwal's, at the Apparao Galleries. Not all of them dredge up phases in Ajay's life. Beautifully shot, they just...
visit full article at Photography News..

India's Art Scene Turns to Photography

Photography's power to lure collectors world-wide is matched by the pragmatic fact that it remains far more affordable than many art forms. An installation by Indian artist Subodh Gupta featuring metal utensils piled on a rickshaw recently brought $842,500 at auction, while work by Indian master painters like F.N. Souza command prices as high as $2.5 million. On the other hand, prices for a limited edition photograph by an artist in India range from 20,000 rupees to 600,000 rupees ($416 to $12,500). Over the past two years, such modest prices have attracted relatively younger Indian buyers in their 30s and 40s, seeking to experiment with a medium that their parents barely considered art. Hoteliers, restaurateurs and company directors have been tapping galleries to furnish their walls. Yuppies are turning to photographs for home décor. Vintage prints, once considered dusty relics, suddenly have cachet and fetch $5,000 or more from private dealers. Artists better known for installations, video and performance are now experimenting with digital cameras.

Contemporary photographers have seized on fresh interest from gallery owners and other patrons to find new audiences and escape expectations imposed by commercial commissions. "There is more of an incentive to do our own projects. We create totally under our own steam," says Clare Arni, a British photographer born in India who lives in Bangalore and makes a living primarily as an architectural photographer. In November, Ms. Arni exhibited a suite of works in vibrant colors documenting disappearing professions in Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai, such as silk dyers, medicine grinders and painters of movie posters -- a product of 18 months of research and travel. The show sold out two editions of prints.

Some gallery owners contend that the current financial uncertainty might actually be good for photography-collecting by allowing it to mature without the crazed speculation that infected the overall Indian art market.

view full article at India's Art Scene Turns to Photography....