FAN Print Exchange Update

[Vaughn]

Unless there is an epidemic of this happening I wouldn't change the process yet.

I agree. Besides the more fool-proof one tries to make something, the harder Mother Nature works at creating a better fool...

Vaughn

 

[Chazzy]

If a few people have spoiled the exchange by failing to honor their commitments, wouldn't it make sense to name names and ban them from future exchanges after a reasonable period of time has passed?

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I disagree, Chazzy. To me it's more important to forgive those people that are delinquent, because we can't tell what problems they may be going through. We're humans, not machines. Shit happens.
And as much as I'd like to have a print in return, forcing it out of the hands of somebody that doesn't either have the resources to honor their commitment, or for some reason doesn't want to - I'd say those are terrible grounds for actually receiving a work of art that was loved.

But some sort of control should definitely be in place. I think the deadline for this exchange was in November of last year. If you can't, for any reason, send or make a print, just forward the one you received instead.
I only had a communication about my print after I contacted the sender. And he promised that he had 'never short changed anybody'. I don't know what to believe, honestly, because I still haven't heard anything, even after I communicated that I forgave him. I'm willing to extend a lot of benefits of doubt, but at some point it's time to at least say something. That, to me, is just completely the wrong way to handle this, and I do admit it aggravates me quite a bit to have been treated this way. All in all I spent five hours perfecting the print I sent out, and I had to make that time. I am a full time employee, a full time student, and I try to operate a photography business plus take care of my family in addition to that. I could have studied for tests for five hours instead. If there's anything I dislike doing, it's working hard without getting anything in return.

- Thomas

 

[keeds]

As one of the transgressors I can fully appreciate the comments made here. You do only have my word that I will get the print done and sent and I appreciate that not knowing me means you can't be sure it'll happen. I am not going to air my dirty laundry here, there are very many good (to me) reasons why I have not completed this exchange. They are very personal and I will not tell you about them. Unfortunately all you have is my word that I will get this done. We are all human and most of us do this for fun. As much as I would like photography to be my main focus, it however falls very low down the list. I have had people not sent prints to me. No matter, everybody has their reasons. If it satisfies you I will send my prints went done and will not participate in any further exchanges (of all types). I feel sad about this but if upsets people that much I would rather not take part.