Photography: 200 Years in the Making

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It may surprise to learn that the world’s very first photograph was taken in 1826—with an eight-hour exposure time! A grainy view from a window in France, it marked the beginning of a visual revolution (picture below).

And yet, it took almost two centuries for photography to be taken seriously by the art world.

Today, thankfully, that has changed. Photography is not only considered a legitimate art form—it’s one of the most dynamic and conceptually rich areas of contemporary collecting.

The world's first photography: View from the Window at Le Gras, c. 1826. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce

Like painting, photography spans genres: portraiture, landscape, still life—even abstraction. But it also holds a unique place in how we capture memory, history and time.

They can tell stories, challenge us, move us—and in some cases, even shift perspectives.

A powerful example is the work of Fabrice Monteiro, a Senegalese photographer who has exhibited internationally, including at the Astrup Fearnley Museum in Oslo. In his series The Prophecy, Monteiro creates what look like surreal fashion editorials—but there’s a twist.

Each image was shot in heavily polluted landscapes outside Dakar, Senegal. The garments? Made entirely from trash and textile waste. The result is stunning and deeply unsettling: a haunting visual commentary on environmental neglect and the human cost of consumption. Monteiro himself described the series as:

“A series of spirits sent by Mother Earth to warn humankind about its neglect and destruction of the environment.”

This is proof that photography can be beautiful and activist at the same time.

Fabrice Monteiro © F. Monteiro / BONO

But what makes one photograph worth €500 and another €50,000? This is where things get interesting.

As a collector (or an aspiring one), understanding photography requires learning a new vocabulary—one that includes:

📸 Print types – from silver gelatin and platinum prints to pigment inkjet or Polaroids, the printing process dramatically affects visual quality, texture, and longevity.

📜 Editions & artist proofs – most photographs are sold in limited editions. The lower the edition number—and the earlier the print—the higher the value.

⌛ Lifespan – materials matter. A pigment inkjet print can fade over time if poorly stored, while a platinum print may last generations.

💰 Pricing – why does one image by the same artist sell for far more than another? Condition, edition size, provenance, exhibition history, and even subject matter all come into play.

Pepper Nr. 30, 19 30, Edvard Weston © Weston/BONO

And here’s the paradox: photography is reproducible—and yet, in the fine art world, scarcity still drives value.

Collectors today are not just buying images—they’re acquiring narratives, technical mastery, historical moments frozen in time.

So the next time you find yourself in front of a photograph, pause and ask: Is this just an image—or is it a message, a moment, a mirror?

And, if you’re curious about starting or refining your own art collection, or simply want to take your art interest to the next level, I am here to help and guide you!

We are opening very few private places in my 1:1 art advisory program.

Together we will:

Learn how to look at and understand art – from major art history concepts to contemporary trends
Discover how to navigate the market with clarity and confidence
Learn to assess value — not just in terms of price, but in meaning, quality, and long-term significance
Evaluate your current collection and define a clear vision for it
Get access to and connect with artists and galleries you might not find yourself
Build a collection that feels right for you — one that brings joy now, and becomes a legacy for the future

If you’re interested, just send us an email to [email protected] with a short application: an introduction of yourself and your relationship with art today, along with your goals and wishes – and we take the conversation from there!

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Photography: 200 Years in the Making

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