New England splint basket, $29,900.

A Web Site of Their Own

Photography Enthusiasts Have a New Place to Surf

Cyberspace has a new Web site, one that will make any collector of photographs and related rdf_Descriptions happy to take up the sport of Web surfing. Confidently described – by its creators – as “the most important Web portal for photography collecting on the Internet,” www.

“It’s about time photography had a site to call its own,” says iphotocentral.com’s president, Alexander Novak. “This will be a very major boost for the entire field of photography and curating.”

Photo enthusiasts will find very detailed search capabilities at the address, which will peruse a multi-dealer photography gallery and bookstore, in addition to an International Calendar of Photographic Events.

The site is different than most dealing with fine artwork since it is primarily retail-oriented; no bidding on artwork is possible. Iphotocentral.com will have a gallery of 20,000 or so images at prices ranging from $50 to $250,000, making it the most extensive collection of images on the Web.

In addition, the site will offer articles on collecting issues, such as appraisals, insurance and conservation, as well as photographic history.

Novak says the site’s emphasis on aesthetics and history will also make it a useful link for museums and other non-profit institutions. “This is the outlet for master photographers, and our site will change the entire way historical images and art photography is bought and sold.”

The Web site is currently open for previewing, and its official launch will take place October 1.