Cycleback's Important Tips for Photograph Collectors

Giclee in Fine Art Photography

Giclee, also known as iris print, is a fancy form of inkjet printing that prints digital images. They can make quality reproductions of fine art prints and movie posters. A photographer can digitally scan the original negative or transparency and make an giclee from the scan. Under the microscope, the giclee image will be made up of a fine pattern of multi colored dots.

Traditionally, fine art prints have been black and white in part because the most common form of color photograph (chromogenic) has a tendency to fade and discolor. The Dye-transfer photo , while permanent and of highest quality, is expensive and difficult to make. The similar high quality and permanent cibachrome color photo has a ultra-glossy surface that not all photographers like.

The giclee is used my some photographers due to the versatility and the permanence of the colors. Notable photographers who have used giclee include Richard Avedon, William Weldman, Walter Chen and David Hockney.

For some collectors and critics, there is a stigma attached to giclees. Giclee is a mechanical print and not a photograph, and there is a common stigma to computer prints.