Fine Art Photography of Gettysburgh Fred Gantz has been involved in photography for about 25 years. He started printing digitally around six years ago when he retired. He mostly shoots film, medium or large format, and then scans the transparency or negative.
Fred owns Fine Art Photography of Gettysburg, a 1k square foot gallery just north of Gettysburgh. About 60% of his gallery sales consist of nudes, the remaining 40% is mostly landscapes. “Most of these are from the Southwest, which can sell quite well in the East if you are in the right market”.
Fred also makes books and I asked him about this market:
“For the most part I simply approach gallery owners and show them my work, (both prints and books). Over time I have learned which galleries sell my style of work and which cater to the appropriate fine art customer.” How did you get started with digital printing? “I started when digital printing when color darkroom supplies were becoming less available, and more expensive. At the same time digital printing was beginning to demonstrate quality output. I started with numerous printers until I found one that could seemed the best at replicating darkroom output”. (HP8750) What made you decide to go with an HP printer? "I know this is very subjective but I believe that it produces prints that best replicate the look and feel of the old fine art papers I used in the darkroom".
Do you have any advice for the many students/novices printing their own work?
“Do not get swamped in all gadgetry and technology that seems to be the center of today’s photography. Many of our true masters worked with very simple equipment. Shoot extensively, be very critical of your work. Don’t mimic but develop your own style”. Did you realize you had an award winning print with Amelia?
“I have received many compliments about this print and it has been a good seller so I suppose I did have an idea. This is the first time that I had submitted it, or any other print in a contest”. What do you like most about what you do? “I love the creative, contemplative part of photography. When compared to most photographers my shooting style is very slow. I have to slow down models who have previously worked with a machine gunners and a motor drives . I think that is why I prefer to work with amateurs who have never posed before, or have only modeled in drawing classes”. What do you like least? “Marketing. I wish I could just give away my work to collectors who appreciate the art”. What do you like most about Hawk Mountain papers? “The fine art market that I sell in is very upscale and demands a quality product. Your papers meet that need. I also appreciate the variety of surfaces that you can provide”. What do you like the least about Hawk Mountain papers? “I wish that there were more paper sizes available”.
Note: Some of you would like us to stock 11”x14” but unfortunately, it is not a huge seller so we don’t stock it. We can however, cut just about any paper size you want. | 
