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Photography Question 

Soni Martin
 

How to correctly sign a fine art photograph?


How do I correctly sign a fine art photograph before it is matted and framed behind glass?
-Do I use a pencil or pen and sign on the matt?
-What information should I include and where (name, date, title?)
-Or do I sign on the photograph and with what tool (pen??)
- If it is an edition, where is that information, if it is not an edition?


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May 04, 2002

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  I always sign the mat in pencil. The first couple of prints I made to hang in a gallery I signed with those gold pens and it looked very tacky. I sign my name and then the edition number. For example 1/15 (1st print of an edition of 15). On the back of the backing board I place a label with my name and address and anything else I may feel is pertinent.


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May 05, 2002

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  BTW, my wife's name is Soni. I thought she was the only one! ;-)))


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May 05, 2002

 

Soni Martin
  Jeff, thank you for the answer. As in a fine art print (like an etching, etc.), do you also include on the matt the date
and title? [By the way, other than your wife, I have heard the name used 3 other times. Two of the times they were in foreign countries. I wonder if we pronouce it the same, I pronouce Soni like Bonnie with an "S."]


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May 05, 2002

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  I've seen prints signed with the date and sometimes the title. I usually put that info on the back. I like to keep the frame & mat as simple as possible so that nothing detracts from the print. Too much writing on the mat is distracting to me. But as I said I've seen others include such info on their mats.

That's exactly how my wife's name is pronouced. Although, a lot of people tend to pronounce it like the television set (Sony).


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May 05, 2002

 

Soni Martin
  Thank you for the advice on signing the photograph in a proper manner. I think you are correct in limiting the information on the matt so it does not distract from the photograph. Since I just discovered this site yesterday, I appreciate you taking the time to assist so quickly!

Alas, people mispronouce my name more often times than not- Sony, Sonja, Sonya, and Sunny. [Thanks again for the help.]


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May 05, 2002

 
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