Following in the footsteps of the Magnum picture collective and inspired by the digital revolution, photographer Jill Furmanovsky registered a website called rockarchive.com in 1998. The idea behind it was to make her work, and that of other rock photographers and visual artists, more accessible to fans and collectors.
To launch the project, Jill selected 30 classic black and white images of major rock artists from her 30 year archive, to make into an edition of 30 darkroom prints. Edition 30/30/30 as it became known, was the first collection for an innovative and original project that now publishes more than 500 images by 50 photographers and art-directors.
Priding itself on exceptional print quality, the collective continues to grow and is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2008.
Whether capturing the spirit of a live show, collaborating directly with musicians to create unforgettable record covers, or shooting timeless documentary images, Rockarchive's distinguished contributors continue to work directly at the source.
The company's philosophy is to accord recognition to the art of rock photography and to help maintain the rights of its practitioners. Rockarchive promotes lesser known work by high profile photographers and the work of up and coming photographers.
Many collectors seek out Rockarchive's exclusive, embossed fine-art prints as an investment. Some images have increased ten fold in value since they were first published.
Look closely at the pictures, read the captions, and you will suddenly find yourself there. That is the power of rock photography at its best.