Accessible Art, Free Photographs…
The ConceptArt should be accessible to everyone. I have always felt that if I had the means to do so I would give my work away, as the intent has never been solely to profit, but to create and share with those around me. I make no claim that my motives are pure. However, no amount of money in the world could convince me to stop doing what I do.
The Experiment
In order to increase the accessibility of my own work, I have decided to offer a free 8×10 fiberbase print to anyone and everyone who would like one. The only catch is that you must make a minimum donation of $2.00 to cover the cost of postage.
This is not to say that you shouldn’t donate more than $2.00. By all means, please feel free to donate whatever you believe the print is worth. Do not hesitate to give as much as your budget will allow, or just donate two dollars and get a nice print dirt cheap to hang on your wall. The choice is up to you.
When you make a donation, you will receive an 8×10 inch fiberbase silver-gelatin print of your choice. This is not a digital inkjet, a lightjet or a giclee. This is a 100% archival chemical print, hand printed by me, not a lab.
To Receive A Print
Step One: Choose the print that you would like from those available in the print gallery. Note the reference number of the image, you will be asked for it when you make a donation. Once you have made your selection, fill out the PayPal donation form.
Step Two: Make a donation of as much or as little as you like through PayPal. The minimum amount is two dollars to cover the cost postage. You do not need a PayPal account to make a donation.
Step Three: Wait eagerly at the mailbox while your print is mailed to you.
Please Spread The Word
I urge all of you who read this to Stumble, Digg, Delicious and Technorati this post. If you are not interested in a free print, please consider sharing this page with someone who is. The success of this experiment depends on your participation.
Tags: Art And Photography, Recent Photographs
December 11th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Accessible Art, Free Photographs……
I’m a big fan of Joe Szymanski’s work, and I’m thrilled that he’s offering up free prints if you cover the cost of shipping. GET YOURS TODAY!…
December 11th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
You’re a brave brave soul. This is really awesome though — I’m interested to hear from you how many people take you up on this offer.
December 12th, 2007 at 3:25 am
Four donations so far. Not brave, just really needed a project.
December 12th, 2007 at 8:32 am
[...] Szymanski is experimenting with the notion of free art. He’s offering free prints from a selection of his work to those who are willing to cover the cost of shipping via a PayPal [...]
December 12th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Do you only send them to US addresses?
December 12th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
At the moment yes, I am only shipping to the United States. Sorry to disappoint. This is still sort of an experiment.
December 13th, 2007 at 7:33 am
Hi Joseph,
this sounds like a great idea, and you got me thinking of doing the same with my own photos… My only problem is getting the prints in the first place, so I’d really like any info on the system you are using.
I wish you a lot of success with this experiment, and will probably order one if you ship to Europe.
Cheers,
/Alexandre
December 13th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Alexandre,
I’m not sure what you mean by the “system” I’m using. The prints offered are hand made darkroom prints. I’m printing on an Omega D2 enlarger modified to use a Zone VI cold light head, so the condensers under the light source have been removed. I’m using Seagull-Oriental fiber base paper with Ilford cool tone developer. Thats about the gist of it. Is that what you were looking for?
December 14th, 2007 at 12:52 am
@Joseph: indirectly, yes
I had assumed that you were printing from a digital file, and unfortunately I don’t have a darkroom available, so I’ll have to look into some other way of getting prints.
Thanks for sharing the internal details
December 14th, 2007 at 2:10 am
My pleasure. You might look into the LightJet process if you are working from digital files. The quality is excellent and the prices keep going down little by little. I fiddled around with it myself awhile back with some color images. But frankly, it just wasn’t the same as a wet print when it came to black and white work.
January 17th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Hi im interested in the prints im from the uk would you send them if i paid the postage?
January 17th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
I’d be happy to ship to the UK. I haven’t updated this post, but on the donation page it states that prints are available internationally for a minimum donation of $5.00.
http://www.openorigins.com/donations/
January 27th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Can I receive a print if I’m from Russia? No idea how to get it if possible at all.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Yes, you can. I have updated the donation page, if you would like a print, and you live outside the US, the minimum donation is $5.00.
Visit the donation page here.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Joseph, what a totally admirable approach to your art.
Once my partner gets back in (and agrees wth my decision :LOL:), we’ll be hitting that donations link.
February 10th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Wonderful to hear that, thank you.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Hello Joseph,
I would be interested to hear how your project is running. Did you recieve some donations yet?
February 11th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I have, in fact I’ve received nearly 100 donations so far. A great deal more than I had expected.
February 17th, 2008 at 11:37 am
This is a very brave and noble thing to do, as an artist, Joseph. I am happy to read you have already received 100 donations. I will recommend everyone i think might be interested in this project.
February 17th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Thanks, I appreciate the support.
March 5th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Joesph, you’ve done a really great job! I’ll certainly recommend this to my friends.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:57 am
[...] Pree Print, Projects I’m going to try an experiment to see what happens. The idea came from Joseph Szymanski, a photographer I follow. For the next several months, each month I will offer a free print, you [...]
May 8th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Joseph, my compliments and admiration.
Since I also feel that art and beauty is something to be shared, I am going to build a website with free downloads of my photographs and digital art. It is nice when you do not have to depend on the money as your income, but just share for the sake of sharing some beauty in this world.
I love your work, and forward the link to your website to my friends.
Success!
May 8th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Miriam,
Thanks for the kind words and support.