Some concise definitions that describe the process through which most of the photographs were produced. Should you need any further clarification please feel free to contact us, we would be glad to be of assistance. FINE ART PHOTOGRAPH A photograph produced for the purpose of being presented and displayed as a work of fine art. Photographs made by the artist or under the direct supervision of the artist are considered to be of the finest pedigree, such photographs are made with conservation in mind using only finest quality papers, photo-chemicals and inks. Most fine art photographs are handled and signed by the artist. In certain circumstance some photographs are produced posthumously by the artist's estate and notated as such on the actual photograph. With fine art photographs it is recommended that they are stored, framed and conserved using only museum quality acid free materials. PHOTOGRAVURE The most aesthetically beautiful process for reproducing a photographic image using ink. Photogravures are noted for their subtle tonal range. A gravure is an image produced from a photographic negative transferred to a copper plate and etched in. Hand pulled photogravures were a popular method for early photographers to reproduce their work for publication purposes, a fine example of this can be found in the photogravures that were produced for the photographic journal, Camera Work (1902-1917). Alfred Stieglitz, Alvin Langdon Coburn, Edward Steichen and Paul Strand were all masters of photography who employed this process for the reproduction of their early works. GELATIN SILVER PRINT Is a black & white photograph printed on a cotton rag fiber based paper which is coated with gelatin and light sensitive silver salts. Prints are made in a dark room employing a photo chemical process by the photographer or by a professional printer under the supervision of the photographer. This is the most permanent and archivally sound method of producing a black and white photograph from an negative onto photographic light sensitive paper. This type of print is also sometimes referred to as a silver bromide print. PLATINUM PALLADIUM PRINT A platinum print shows an extra ordinary tonal richness and gives the longest permanency of any printing process. A positive printing technique that employs light-sensitive iron salts to form a provisional image that is subsequently made visible by conversion into platinum metal. CONTACT PRINT A print made directly from a negative by placing light sensitive paper directly onto the negative and exposing it to light. Contact prints have an exceptionally sharp resolution and high tonal ranges as they are direct impressions from the negative without any enlargement thus not loosing any resolution which normally occurs when the scale of the image is increased. AUTOCHROME An early form of color photography using plates coated with dyed starch grains and patented by the Lumiere brothers in 1904. images with glass plates. Invented in 1904 in France. WET STAMP A rubber stamp coated with ink with information about the photographer, the photograph, edition, copyright etc. Usually found on the back of the photograph. BLIND STAMP An embossed marking that is present on the mount of a photograph or the photograph itself indicating the photographers name, studio address or copyright of the photograph. VINTAGE PRINT A print that was typically made by the photographer close to the time the picture was actually taken. Like a fine wine, these prints are known as vintage prints and usually command a higher monetary value. A print made within 5 years from the date that the negative was originally produced is considered a vintage print.