Monday, July 19, 2010
Ethical Validity of the Concept of “Edition”
A few questions about “Edition” that confuse me:
1. What is the meaning of "edition"? If we print 50 prints at one time (simultaneously) of a particular size—say 12”X18” on a particular paper, through a specific process, I think it is technically and legally called an edition.
2. If we keep all other parameters the same and print one piece at a time as the order comes, will it still be called an edition?
3. In this case would all the prints be identical through color management though printed on different dates? And if the color changes in a particular print, will it still be called a part of edition?
4. Suppose, later we change one of the parameters-e.g. type of paper—let us say we now print 50 prints with the same size and process but on a different paper (say metallic), will this set of 50 photos be called a new edition?
5. If this set of new prints on just a different paper can be called a new edition, it would imply we can generate numerous editions of the same file by changing just one parameter. Is it right?
6. If the point 5 is right then I don’t think that we are justified in calling any such collection of 50 photographs an edition at least for the purpose of luring customers for sale or for maintaining high prices. I think it will be ethically wrong to make the buyers believe that there would be only 50 prints of the image, while technically and legally we can generate numerous other editions if need arises in future.
7. If the point 6 is valid, then I don’t think that the concept of limited edition or any edition holds water. And thus it should be always an "open edition".
Kindly clarify and correct if and wherever I am wrong.
Regards,
Arun Gaur
http://http://tripolia-indianlandscapeimages.com
Ethical Validity of the Concept of “Edition”
A few questions about “Edition” that confuse me:
1. What is the meaning of "edition"? If we print 50 prints at one time (simultaneously) of a particular size—say 12”X18” on a particular paper, through a specific process, I think it is technically and legally called an edition.
2. If we keep all other parameters the same and print one piece at a time as the order comes, will it still be called an edition?
3. In this case would all the prints be identical through color management though printed on different dates? And if the color changes in a particular print, will it still be called a part of edition?
4. Suppose, later we change one of the parameters-e.g. type of paper—let us say we now print 50 prints with the same size and process but on a different paper (say metallic), will this set of 50 photos be called a new edition?
5. If this set of new prints on just a different paper can be called a new edition, it would imply we can generate numerous editions of the same file by changing just one parameter. Is it right?
6. If the point 5 is right then I don’t think that we are justified in calling any such collection of 50 photographs an edition at least for the purpose of luring customers for sale or for maintaining high prices. I think it will be ethically wrong to make the buyers believe that there would be only 50 prints of the image, while technically and legally we can generate numerous other editions if need arises in future.
7. If the point 6 is valid, then I don’t think that the concept of limited edition or any edition holds water. And thus it should be always an "open edition".
Kindly clarify and correct if and wherever I am wrong.
Regards,
Arun Gaur
http://http://tripolia-indianlandscapeimages.com