As one of the major auction houses, Sotheby’s periodically has auctions of photographic art. I truly enjoy following what is coming down the pike, and if I like the collection I try to purchase the catalog after the auction is over on ebay. These auctions bring together photographs that I would have no chance of seeing outside the catalog. Of course, there are many that I have seen numerous times, but there are that many new ones to me. Besides, seeing some work in a collection like that of an auction gives interesting insights as to photographic influences.
I have subscribed to Sotheby’s announcements of photography auctions. When there is a new one, I get a notice in my e-mail. Then I visit the electronic catalog to view the contents of the auction. The presentation of the lots is very nice and I can screen capture any photograph I like. This way, I have created quite a collection of great photography. You see in these auctions photographs that you would not normally associate with a particular photographer, and seeing that reveals another side of him or her. Looking at some of the industrial landscapes by Ansel Adams for instance I could not help but see the humorous side of him with an industrial photo that resembles a person stuck in a hole with his butt and legs outside.
I heartily recommend following Sotheby’s photography auctions to anyone interested in photography. The printed catalogs are reproduced with great quality and on ebay you can find them after the auction date for about $10-$20, well worth the price. Here is a representative collection I sifted from several auction catalogs for you to enjoy. I left the images as large as I captured, they may fill your screen. They appear in alphabetical order by full name.
Flora
Infrared Earthscapes
Junk Yard