NFT Photography: How To Get Started in 2023
One of the latest and most talked-about trends in the art world is NFTs, and photography is becoming a big genre in this space. If you are interested in getting started in NFT photography as a buyer, this article will provide you with everything you need to know.
I. What Exactly is an NFT Photography?
NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are digital assets that represent ownership of a unique item or piece of content, such as art, music, or video. They are created using blockchain technology, which makes them secure, tamper-proof, and allows for the ownership of a unique digital asset.
NFT photographies are digital photographs that have been tokenized using blockchain technology. They are unique, one-of-a-kind pieces of art that can be bought and sold on various NFT marketplaces. By owning an NFT photo, you own the rights to that particular photograph, and no one else can claim ownership of it.
II. Why Photography is Becoming the Next Big Genre of NFTs?
Photography has been a popular art form for centuries, and it’s no surprise that it is now making its way into the NFT space. Some benefits of investing in photography NFTs include:
- Rarity: NFT photography is rare, as each photograph is unique and only one copy of it exists. Owning an NFT photograph means that you possess a one-of-a-kind work of art that no one else has.
- Authenticity: When you buy an NFT photograph, you’re buying an authenticated, original piece of art. The ownership and authenticity of the photograph are recorded on a blockchain, making it impossible to forge or duplicate.
- Investment: Potential NFT photography has shown incredible growth in value in recent years. As the market for NFTs continues to expand, investing in NFT photography can be a smart financial decision.
- Innovation: NFT photography is at the forefront of digital innovation in the art world. By owning an NFT photograph, you’re participating in a new and exciting movement that is transforming the way we view and value art.
- Support Photographers: In the digital age, photographers often have to contend with unsolicited distribution of their images without permission, credit, or financial return for their work. Now that NFTs have entered the mainstream, this dynamic is set to change.
III. How to Buy NFT Photography?
1. Get a crypto wallet to buy NFT photo
Before you can buy photography NFTs, you will need to get a crypto wallet that supports the currency used by the NFT marketplace you want to use. Crypto wallets act very much like a physical wallet or a bank account, where you can store digital currencies but also digital assets, or NFTs. You can buy, sell, trade, or transfer NFTs among wallets, therefore, having one is crucial for accessing the crypto world.
There are many different types of wallets but the most commonly used ones are hosted wallets, non-custodial wallets and hardware wallets. The wallet that is right for you depends on what you want to do with your NFTs, which blockchains you wish to use, and what kind of protection you want to have.
Download our NFT photography eBook to know the difference between hosted, non-custodial and hardware wallets and the most well-known ones we recommend.
2. Buy cryptocurrencies to purchase NFT photo
If you’re interested in buying NFT photos but don’t want to deal with cryptocurrencies, there are still options available to you. Some NFT marketplaces, such as laCollection and others, allow for purchases to be made using credit cards. This means you can still participate in the exciting world of NFTs and own unique, one-of-a-kind digital photos without having to navigate the complexities of buying and holding cryptocurrencies. Keep in mind that not all NFT platforms offer credit card payments, so be sure to check the payment options before making a purchase.
Download our NFT photography eBook to know how to choose a cryptocurrency exchange, choose the cryptocurrency you want to buy, and store your cryptocurrency in a wallet.
3. Start shopping on NFT photography marketplaces
For buyers looking to invest in NFT photography, there are several marketplaces available that specialize in digital art, including photography.
Download our NFT photography eBook to get a full summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the main general and photo NFT platforms.
IV. Top NFT Photography Projects in 2023
1. Getty Images x Candy: 70s Music & Culture NFT photo collection
- Getty Images launches The ’70s Music & Culture Collection on March 21, 2023, featuring photographs of popular musicians and cultural figures such as Jimi Hendrix, Elvis, David Bowie, and The Rolling Stones, among others.
- This marks Getty’s first-ever NFT drop, which is released in partnership with Candy Digital, a digital collectibles platform that has previously collaborated with major companies like Netflix, Major League Baseball, and WWE.
- This drop offers rare photographs from the Getty Images archive to individual fans and collectors, making historic content accessible for generations to come and providing music fans and photography enthusiasts the opportunity to appreciate them up close and personally.
- The photographs are available for purchase on Candy.com using credit cards or USDC, and are minted on the Palm blockchain. Prices range from $25 to $200.
- Getty Images is a renowned platform for images that includes popular platforms such as iStock, Unsplash, and Photos.com. The Getty Images Archive holds over 80 million photographs.
2. REZA x laCollection: Eye to Eye NFT photo collection
- In partnership with the Web3 art platform laCollection, the award-winning photojournalist Reza Deghati who uses REZA as his artist’s signature launches his first-ever collection of digital collectibles of his most acclaimed photographs on March 29th, 2023.
- This new collection of digital collectibles presents high-quality digital editions of REZA’s most acclaimed photographs accompanied by exclusive contextual videos with REZA’s voice-over narration. You’ll hear Reza describing the photo and giving details on the context, the people on the photo, etc…
- Part of the proceeds will support Reza Visual Academy, a non-profit organization providing photo-training workshops for youth living in precarious civil societies like refugee camps or disadvantaged suburbs in countries throughout the world.
- Digital collectibles unlock exclusive benefits to perfect your photography practice, including a portfolio review with REZA, an exclusive visit to REZA’s studio in Paris, and a book signed by the artist.
- The photographs are available for purchase on lacollection.io using credit cards or Ethereum. Prices will start at €148 ($158).
3. AFP x laCollection: Ephemerality to Iconicity NFT photo collection
- Agence France-Presse (AFP) and laCollection launch a second digital collection of press photos from the agency’s archives on April 5th, 2023. For the first time, laCollection allowed the public to vote for their 10 favorite photographs from a selection of 100 presented at an exhibition in Paris in 2022. The 10 selected photographs are sold as unique digital editions.
- AFP has an archive of 6 million silver print images. Highlighting the great musicians like Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong and Freddie Mercury; political figures such as President Donald Trump; and historical eras like Paris in the 1930s or post-war New York, this collection is a dive into 150 years of history.
- The photographs are available for purchase on lacollection.io either by credit card or with ETH and will be sold at auction. Prices will start at €300 ($322).
- Part of the proceeds will be devoted to the safeguarding and restoration of the agency’s photographic collection in order to ensure the preservation of this priceless historical, cultural and artistic heritage.
V. Best Way to Display NFTs?
1. NFT photo digital display frames
These frames can be hung on a wall or placed on a tabletop.
2. NFT photo VR headsets
Virtual reality headsets can transport you to a virtual gallery space.
3. NFT photo large screen displays
Large screen displays can range from a TV to a full wall installation.
4. Samsung NFT Hub
The Samsung NFT Hub platform lets collectors browse, collect and display their favourite NFT art all from their Samsung TV.
Download our NFT photography eBook to know the advantages and disadvantages of these 4 NFT display solutions.
Photography NFTs are an exciting and innovative way to own unique and exclusive pieces of art. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can get started in the world of NFT photography and support emerging photographers and artists. Remember to do your research before you collect!
