In a World of Digital Repetition, the Value of Uniqueness Grows

As digital reproduction and AI-generated images become like nano-plastics seen just about everywhere, the appeal of collecting unique, hand-crafted artworks has never been stronger. A one-of-a-kind photographic print offers more than visual appeal; it embodies the artist’s intent, rarity, and the increased investment potential of a truly singular piece by challenging ideas surrounding the spiritual and economic valuation of artworks, creating a productive tension between photography’s individual present and its relinquished, reproducible past.

‘ Cymatic Water + Light, Plate 0870 ’, dated 2023

The Power of Uniqueness in a Reproducible Medium

Photography is often viewed as a reproducible medium, yet artists who embrace singularity in their process challenge this assumption, elevating their work within contemporary fine-art discourse. My approach—constructing sculptural scenes entirely underwater and capturing them on large-format analogue film—ensures that each print carries the weight of an unrepeatable event. There is no digital manipulation, no composites, only a decisive moment sealed in time.

This rarity is further reinforced by the absence of editions in my work, a position I embraced in 2013. Unlike limited editions, a truly unique photographic print becomes an artefact of singularity, holding the same level of exclusivity as a painting or sculpture. I have previously written about Essential Tips for Collectors on Collecting Photography , which expands on this philosophy.

The Emotional & Conceptual Depth of One-of-One Prints

Collectors are drawn to unique works because they represent an unrepeatable act of creation. Knowing that no other person will own the same piece strengthens the emotional bond between collector and artwork. In my practice, water itself becomes an unpredictable collaborator—shaping light, texture, and movement in ways that can never be replicated.

These concerns align closely with my engagement with impermanence and transience, revitalising the Vanitas tradition so deeply embedded in my work. Just as moments in life cannot be repeated, neither can these works.

Vanitas Room at the exhibition ‘ Intersection ’

The Market Appeal of Uniqueness

From an investment perspective, collectors understand that scarcity drives value. While high-volume reproductions can saturate a market and erode desirability, unique prints retain prestige indefinitely. Museums, galleries, and serious collectors often prioritise singular works, recognising their long-term cultural and market significance.

Historically, many of the most sought-after photographic works were unique prints, from early daguerreotypes to contemporary experimental processes. As the art world becomes increasingly digital, the rarity of a one-of-a-kind physical print gains even greater traction. I explore this further in my guide to investing in fine art photography .

‘ I steal an adventure every time I look in your eyes ’ — unique silver gelatin print

Why Unique Prints Are a Statement of Artistic Integrity

For artists, choosing to create unique works represents a profound commitment to artistic integrity. It resists the commercial pull of endless reproduction and preserves the purity of intent. My photographic process—constructing scenes underwater, capturing them on analogue film plates, and producing a single print—ensures each work remains an original testament to vision.

While I value collectors of my earlier pre-2013 editioned works, those releases were instrumental in shaping the principles that now define my practice.

Collectors who invest in unique works acquire a period of my lifeline that cannot be replicated. In an era saturated with limited editions and digital prints, owning a one-of-one artwork is a definitive statement of appreciation for provenance, rarity, and authenticity.

Stay Connected

I hope you found this reading insightful. Across this platform you will find both unique works and select pre-2013 editions. If you have questions, please do ask — and let’s stay connected.