Photography is often undervalued by some people. With current technological advances, cellphones are equipped with sophisticated cameras at affordable prices. This makes more people buy cellphones that can be used for anything compared to buying professional cameras which are relatively more expensive and can only be used for taking photos or capturing videos. However, if you are still have passion to become a photographer, don’t be discouraged yet. Because some there are some photos that have been sold for millions of dollars. There are the list of the 5 most expensive photos ever sold:
1. ”Rhein II” By Andreas Gursky, sold for $4.3 Million (2011)
“Rhein II” is an iconic photograph made by the German photographer Andreas Gursky. It depicts a postcard whitewashed and happy landscape around the Rhine River close to Düsseldorf in Germany. The image’s symmetry and careful digital manipulation made the image one of the most well known works of art. The second edition, “Rhein II,” was sold at a Christies auction for $4.3 million in 2011 making it the highest price ever paid for a photograph at the time.
2. “Untitled #96” by Cindy Sherman, sold for $3.89 Million (2011)
Cindy Sherman is a conceptual artist recognized for her pieces that interrogate identity and self-interpretation. “As part of her esteemed ‘Untitled Film Stills,’ ‘Untitled #96,’ is an image of a woman in an ambiguous and somewhat mysterious narrative. The photograph fetched $3.89 million at a New York auction in 2011. It still sits among the most expensive photographs, testament to the formal skill and exploration of identity and gender in Sherman’s art.
3. “Phantom” by Peter Lik, sold for $6.5 Million (2014)
“Phantom” is a photograph by Australian photographer Peter Lik, known for his landscape images. It shows a beam of light filtering through a cave in Monument Valley, USA, resulting in a very dramatic and pleasing result. In 2014, “Phantom” was sold for $6.5 million, making it one of the priciest photographs in history, although its sale was controversial, with some critiquing the authenticity of the purchase.
4. “The Pond-Moonlight” By Edward Steichen, sold for $2.9 Million (2006)
Edward Steichen is among the most celebrated photographers of the 20th century. One of his most important works is “The Pond-Moonlight,” from 1904. Example: The moonshines over a pond,its light shiningback into the water in a wondrousand romantic way. This had sold for $2.9 million in a Sotheby’s auction in 2006, making it one of classic photography’s most valuable photos.
5. “99 Cent II Diptychon” by Andreas Gursky, sold for $3.3 Million (2007)
Another Andreas Gursky photo, “99 Cent II Diptychon,” captured neatly stocked store shelves. It embodies the consumerist world, the image reflects a tale of structure and order, that conveys through powerful visual means. Its auctioned price of $3.3 million in 2007 made it the most expensive photograph ever at the time and helped drive the appreciation of contemporary art