Photography has different characteristics and techniques not found in other art forms. Fortunately, art collectors see and appreciate these differences. You may want to double-check the numbers you see, but remember, good art is always worth the investment. While for some people the value of a photograph is just an image from a camera shot, for those who know the true meaning of photography, it can also be worth millions of dollars.

The overwhelming majority of the photographs below were taken with analog cameras. Man Ray's Portrait of a Weeping Woman sold for $2,167,500, making it one of the most expensive photographs ever sold. The oldest photo on the list was taken in 1842, while the newest photo was taken in 2009. The most expensive photograph ever sold is Andreas Gursky's Rhein II, which sold for $4,338,500.

Here are the world's most expensive photos:

Cindy Sherman Untitled 92 1981. Chromogenic color print. Sold in New York in November 2013: $2,045,000

Man Ray Portrait of a Tearful Woman 1936. Color Gelatin Silver Print. Sold in New York in May 2017: $2,167,500

Cindy Sherman Untitled Film Still 48 1979. chromogenic color print. Sold in New York in November 2014: $2,225,000

"Billy the Kid" (Fort Sumner, New Mexico) 1879. Tin-type. Sold June 2011: $2,300,000

Andreas Gursky Paris, Montparnasse 1993. Chromogenic color print. Sold in London in October 2013: $2,416,475

Andreas Gursky Chicago Board of Trade 1997. Chromogenic color print. Sold in London in June 2013: $2,507,755

Man Ray Noire et Blanche 1926. Silver print. Sold in Paris in November 2017: 2,688,750 euros

Cindy Sherman Untitled 153 1985. chromogenic color print. Sold in New York in November 2010: $2,770,500

Cindy Sherman Untitled 96 1981. chromogenic color print. Sold in New York in May 2012: $2,882,500

Andreas Gursky Los Angeles 1998. Chromogenic color print. Sold in London in February 2008: $2,900,000

Edward Steichen The Pond - Moonlight 1904. Sold in New York in February 2006: $2,928,000

Cindy Sherman Untitled Film Still 48 1979. chromogenic color print. Sold in New York in May 2015: $2,965,000

Richard Prince Untitled (cowboy) 2000. Ektacolour Print. Sold in New York in May 2014: $3,077,000

Andreas Gursky 99 Cent II Diptychon 2001. Chromogenic color print. Sold in London in February 2007: $3,346,456

Jeff Wall Dead Troops Talk 1992. Transparency in Lightbox. Sold in New York in May 2012: $3,666,500

Gilbert & George To Her Majesty 1973. Gelatin Silver edition. Sold in London in June 2008: $3,765,276

Andreas Gursky Rhein II 1999. Chromogenic color print. Sold in New York in November 2011: $4,338,500