What would your fantasy press photo find be?????

[billyb]

So far, two great choices, kind of gives you the idea of what some guys like to look for.
Graig, the eye appeal from behind the hitter, I like those too, and like you said, it gives a good view of the stadium.

Kawika, what a great photo, I have not seen that before. If you were lucky enough to find that press photo, what photographer would put that over the top for you???
Remember, it is your fantasy.

Joey, VanOeyen was hired by MLB back in 1908, but he was taking photos before that as he was hired by the Cleveland Press in 1901. Later in his career, he was approached by Eastman to test their new product called the flashbulb. Thus, no more powder flashes.

I would like to here some of the top dogs with their fantasy find, Ben, Mark, Steve, Lance and others, let us here if you have that fantasy photo still out there. I know there is so many choices, it is tough, but what would really open your eyes???? What photo would you have to hold away from you to keep it dry so your drool wouldn't get it wet...LOL

[Bob Lemke]

Portrait in uniform, ballpark setting, Eddie Gaedel . . . so I could make a custom card.

[billyb]

Originally Posted by Bob Lemke

Portrait in uniform, ballpark setting, Eddie Gaedel . . . so I could make a custom card.

Ha ha, Bob, spoken like a true cardboard junkie.

[billyb]

I am going to give another. After all, my thread, my rules...lol

Okay, one of Cobb's fights, doesn't matter which one. Nice background of fans and players alike. Conlon would be best for this one.

[BBSD]

Good call David. When I first saw this shot it really struck me. Thought it would be wonderful for the office. It really epitomizes baseball in the 20's. The pic does not to it justice, it really is a striking photo.

[billyb]

Barry,
Wow, nice job. That looks absolutely stunning.
Tell us about your football gear on top of the curio.

[BBSD]

Thx. 49er & USF stuff.

[thecatspajamas]

My tastes tend to lean more toward the esoteric and obscure than the big-name stars, so I would like to see something along the lines of Al Schacht and Nick Altrock clowning around before a World Series game. And since this one is falling into my lap, throw a HOFer or two in there that would normally price the photo out of "spending on myself" range. Just what are they doing in this photo, anyway?

Or, before Bob swiped my idea, I was also going to say a shot of Eddie Gaedel, only with him at bat just as the ball zips over the plate, and from an angle to also catch the expression of frustration on Bob Cain's face as he realizes he's thrown just a little high, again.

Or even better, how about a photo OF Charles Conlon taking his famous photo of Cobb sliding, from the perspective of the guy standing a few feet behind Conlon. Cobb is still caught coming in hard, dirt flying, but in the corner you see Conlon with his finger instinctively triggering the shutter on his camera.

Failing all that, just make it a sharp Bain photo of a slim, trim rookie-era Babe Ruth circa 1914. Any pose will do, just make sure it's one that Ben has never seen because when it goes to auction, I want to be able to pay off my house with the proceeds

[billyb]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

My tastes tend to lean more toward the esoteric and obscure than the big-name stars, so I would like to see something along the lines of Al Schacht and Nick Altrock clowning around before a World Series game. And since this one is falling into my lap, throw a HOFer or two in there that would normally price the photo out of "spending on myself" range. Just what are they doing in this photo, anyway?

Or, before Bob swiped my idea, I was also going to say a shot of Eddie Gaedel, only with him at bat just as the ball zips over the plate, and from an angle to also catch the expression of frustration on Bob Cain's face as he realizes he's thrown just a little high, again.

Or even better, how about a photo OF Charles Conlon taking his famous photo of Cobb sliding, from the perspective of the guy standing a few feet behind Conlon. Cobb is still caught coming in hard, dirt flying, but in the corner you see Conlon with his finger instinctively triggering the shutter on his camera.

Failing all that, just make it a sharp Bain photo of a slim, trim rookie-era Babe Ruth circa 1914. Any pose will do, just make sure it's one that Ben has never seen because when it goes to auction, I want to be able to pay off my house with the proceeds

Lance,
Al Schacht and Nick Altrock, great characters in a great era. I always enjoy photos of them.
Great idea, catching Conlon on film taking a famous photo. And still retaining all the content of the original photo, good one.
You know Ben is thinking right now, "what photo of a 1914 Ruth would I like?" It would be an interesting choice. But Lance, this is your fantasy, you would sell your fantasy?????

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by billyb

But Lance, this is your fantasy, you would sell your fantasy?????

Picking one really expensive photo that I could sell and buy lots of cheaper (but equally attractive) photos is really just my way of saying, "I would wish for a thousand wishes." Like I said, I like the oddball & unusual stuff, not necessarily the most expensive.

[71buc]

"Ain’t no man can avoid being born average, but there ain’t no man got to be common." Satchel Paige

I have always dreamed of owning an original of this Life magazine photo...it's just so cool and just so.... Satchel Paige I doubt I would ever find it under the circumstance described in this thread but we are talking fantasy aren't we?

[billyb]

Originally Posted by 71buc

"Ain’t no man can avoid being born average, but there ain’t no man got to be common." Satchel Paige

I have always dreamed of owning an original of this Life magazine photo...it's just so cool and just so.... Satchel Paige I doubt I would ever find it under the circumstance described in this thread but we are talking fantasy aren't we?

71 Buc
Yes, we are talking fantasy. Good choice.
Have you tried to contact Life to see where they store their Original photos or negatives. Maybe you can get a copy from them. That would make a great piece to put on a wall.

[71buc]

They do sell copies but I want an original. I have two nice Ruth images that I would trade for one in a heartbeat!

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

My tastes tend to lean more toward the esoteric and obscure than the big-name stars, so I would like to see something along the lines of Al Schacht and Nick Altrock clowning around before a World Series game. And since this one is falling into my lap, throw a HOFer or two in there that would normally price the photo out of "spending on myself" range. Just what are they doing in this photo, anyway?

Or, before Bob swiped my idea, I was also going to say a shot of Eddie Gaedel, only with him at bat just as the ball zips over the plate, and from an angle to also catch the expression of frustration on Bob Cain's face as he realizes he's thrown just a little high, again.

Or even better, how about a photo OF Charles Conlon taking his famous photo of Cobb sliding, from the perspective of the guy standing a few feet behind Conlon. Cobb is still caught coming in hard, dirt flying, but in the corner you see Conlon with his finger instinctively triggering the shutter on his camera.

Failing all that, just make it a sharp Bain photo of a slim, trim rookie-era Babe Ruth circa 1914. Any pose will do, just make sure it's one that Ben has never seen because when it goes to auction, I want to be able to pay off my house with the proceeds

Lance,
Awesome post and some terrific choices. Well done!

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Lance,
Awesome post and some terrific choices. Well done!

Thanks, Scott! I had to stop myself there before I just started listing all of the obscure D-level minor league teams that I've never seen a photo of, which would probably either suck all the life out of the thread or have me dismissed as a kook (or both). I'll just pretend I found that Ruth photo, and continue my imaginary spending spree in my head

[billyb]

This thread has got me to thinking about another question, so since this thread appears to be dying, I would like to ask your opinions about my new question.
The top of the heap, regarding press photos, the Cobb sliding into 3rd base and Ruth's eyes by Conlon, the Pulitzer prize shot of Ruth leaning on his bat, etc....the top tier photos, is there room at the top for other photos similar to those, or would they be judged harshly in comparison to these iconic photos.
What I mean about similar is, another photo of Cobb sliding into third, another Ruth's eyes photo, or another Ruth leaning on his bat, but maybe with different variations, a different top tier photographer perhaps.
With new photos coming out almost every week, there is that possibility.
I know that without seeing a photo to compare this is next to impossible question to answer, but imagine a similar photo, but done by a Thompson, or VanOeyen or another top photographer. Can their photos be judged fairly????
Or are these top photos, now in place, incomparable and unapproacjable, in your minds.

[71buc]

The three photos you listed are works of art. However, what constitutes beauty in art is obviously highly subjective. The two Conlons you mention are, in my humble estimation, very striking. The Nat Fein photo has never really appealed to me. This may call my taste into question. Nonetheless, I think all three pale in comparison to this one.

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/.../2006/645.html

[Runscott]

I think the shot of DiMaggio completing his swing would be right up there.

All-in-all, I like the Combs picture more than any of them.

Another good fantasy pic would be a hitherto undiscovered action shot of Babe Ruth from 1914 with the Red Sox, of iconic composition caliber, perhaps delivering a pitch to another future HOF-er.

[billyb]

Thanks Mike, but it seems that you have put those two Conlon photos up there as incomparable, thus, no photo could compare, no matter what other photographer took the photo, And no other photo of same content, could be a work of art also.
So I assume, there is no other room near the top with the iconic works of art.
By the way, I agree, the photo you provided is superior.

[thecatspajamas]

A beautiful, crisp, finely-detailed photo will always be appreciated for its visual presentation, regardless of the photographer, subject, or ability of the viewer to put into words what exactly makes it a "nice picture."

That said though, visual presentation alone does not always translate to $$$ when a piece goes up for sale, which is the angle it sounds like you are approaching this question from. Subject matter is important, in that a photo of a HOFer will almost always bring more than a similar one of a "common" player, and all else being equal, photos shot by "known" photographers also tend to bring more.

I know you get all that already, but another factor to consider is the notoriety of the image itself. One of the reasons that everyone, even those who are not sports enthusiasts, will recognize Conlon's photo of Cobb sliding, or Fein's photo of Babe Ruth bowing out, is that they were recognized as being top-tier images from the start and have been used and reused and reprinted and seen over and over and over, so that the original works that those countless iterations were derived from have been elevated to iconic status. They are not just images OF icons, but rather the images themselves are iconic. That kind of notoriety takes time and exposure to imprint on the general consciousness. So while I think it would certainly be possible to find a new photo that SHOULD rival the old icons in terms of the "four C's" and notoriety of the photographer, I think any newcomer would have difficulty in challenging an original iconic photo in terms of price realized at auction.

That doesn't mean that they would be "judged harshly" or go unappreciated. I just don't think it would be possible for a new image to supplant one of the "old guard" in the public consciousness so quickly, if at all. As Mike's top pick illustrates though, you don't have to have the "best"/most-well-known photo to have a darn nice one that will turn the head of anyone who encounters it and/or bring a handsome sum on the auction block.

Just my 2 cents. And just so you know, you're killin' me, Bill

[71buc]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

I know you get all that already, but another factor to consider is the notoriety of the image itself. One of the reasons that everyone, even those who are not sports enthusiasts, will recognize Conlon's photo of Cobb sliding, or Fein's photo of Babe Ruth bowing out, is that they were recognized as being top-tier images from the start and have been used and reused and reprinted and seen over and over and over, so that the original works that those countless iterations were derived from have been elevated to iconic status. They are not just images OF icons, but rather the images themselves are iconic. That kind of notoriety takes time and exposure to imprint on the general consciousness. So while I think it would certainly be possible to find a new photo that SHOULD rival the old icons in terms of the "four C's" and notoriety of the photographer, I think any newcomer would have difficulty in challenging an original iconic photo in terms of price realized at auction.

Interesting response Lance. Do you think the perception of a photographic image as iconic can be subjective as well? I would think not. However, I often see it used as a descriptor of photos in auctions.

[glchen]

I'd like a nice clear original photo of Ruth with Baltimore in uniform. Ruth pitching would be nice, but I'd "settle" for the photo used to make his 1914 Baltimore News card. :-p

[billyb]

Originally Posted by glchen

I'd like a nice clear original photo of Ruth with Baltimore in uniform. Ruth pitching would be nice, but I'd "settle" for the photo used to make his 1914 Baltimore News card. :-p

As a fantasy, you get to choose which photographer took your photo, who would be your choice??

[glchen]

I'm not picky there. Van Oeyen, Paul Thompson, or even Conlon would be good.