Jorge sent a contact print to me...

[bmac]

Lets see how the revolving portfolio works for starters.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Lee, that could work for certain kinds of groups, but depending on the participants, an exchange system might raise the problems discussed a few responses up. Some people are working in more costly media and couldn't necessarily afford to make nine prints each round, and some people who exhibit regularly in galleries might not be so eager to trade prints in this manner.

 

[Jorge]

I have not run this by Sean yet, but if a permanent print exchange is desired by members I guess we could set up a "print exchange" gallery. In it, those who wish to exchange prints can post them and the members can view them and respond to the posting member. This way members can see the subject matter as well as the skill degree of the posting member, as well as each participant can judge if he wants to exchange or not. I think this would be about the best possible way to set up an exchange where people exchanging would be of comparable skills.

 

[Jorge]

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (jdef @ Dec 21 2002, 11:15 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>If I want to exchange my prints for those of comparable quality I can go to the high school! The thought of comparing my printing skills to yours (Jorge) is enough to put me off the whole idea. My intention is to send a print to those I'd like to exchange with, no strings/expectations/obligations attached, and if that person feels like sending me a print, I will gratefully accept, with no illusions of parity on my part. I will understand completely if no print is offered in return, and will take no offense. I am overwhelmed with work right now, and awaiting delivery of my first box of Azo, but when it arrives along with the Amidol, I will make a print for Jorge, even though I know I have many, many prints to make before I approach his level of skill. Being a beginner, it's easy for me to disregard others' skill levels compared to mine, and I understand that the reverse is not necessarily true. The fact is that there are not enough of you to worry about from an expense point of view, even if I made prints for all of you, and If I recieved a single print in return, I'd be well rewarded. I realize that this is not a model many would adopt, but it satisfies my aspirations. I look forward to participating in the revolving portfolio as well.-jdf</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
No, no, no, Jay I think you misunderstand me. For example you might post a portrait that I like ( and judging from your examples at PN you have some very nice ones) if so I would not mind exchanging with you. My whole point is, the posting in a gallery will give people a chance to make at least an initial judgement and decide to exchange a print with such person. Being able to see the print would be an advantage and would put aside the "skill" factor. I mean if I liked your print then who cares if it is your first print ever, no? Of course if I see a print with no contrast, or dust, or of aunt Mary, then I might not want to exchange with this person. OTOH if the print is more or less well scanned (oh boy I am completely ignorant about how to do this!) and shows a nice image, why would I think your "skill" level is below mine? As far as I am concerned the results are what matter.....not how many years you have spent under a light bulb.

Also this idea I have it is so that those who place a certain importance in the provenance of a print would also have the opportunity to participate. Lets face it not everybody thinks like you or me, some people might want to exchange only azo prints, ot pt prints, this way they also have a chance without looking like jerks for refusing someone. For instance I might post a 12x20 pt print, and specify I want a comparable size contact print. This way those who wish to exchange 3x5 shoots of fido will know I am not the one to contact. Sounds good?

 

[Jorge]

I think you are selling yourself short, Jay. So instead of focusing (pun intended) on the "skill" issue why not forget about it and post a few images if we set up the gallery. I think you will be surprised.

 

[SteveGangi]

OK, I think I have a few that might be good enough based on feedback from some local people, and I will get busy. Some will be Fuji/Kodak enlargements since I don't have an enlarger, others will be contact prints. When will we start up? For me a Christmas deadline would be a bit too short but after Christmas I will be on vacation and can do quite a bit of work/play. Just one thing. With a house full of dogs, cats, birds, pet rats etc dust is pretty much an inevitability here. I will simply delete the worst ones.

This next is for Jay.... Just because Jorge's (and other people here) prints are so impressive doesn't mean you aren't any good. Using that yardstick, I would never take part either. Instead of putting yourself down, take notes and pick their brains and see what they did to get the results you like. We are not competing. Also remember, they probably never do one print and stop. I bet they do a lot of fine tuning before they are satisfied. For me, this is a chance to see the real prints from people I have talked to on the web without having to go to an fancy out-of town gallery or squint at a web page.

 

[bmac]

David and I are coordinating the project, and ironing out the final details over the weekend. The deadline for prints will not be pre Christmas. You will have a lot of time to get your prints done. More info soon.

Brian

 

[Les McLean]

Brian,

I am interested in the print exchange idea. Is it possible that I could be considered, given that I live in the far north of England although I don't mind the potentially high cost of postage.

 

[bmac]

Not a problem Les, the portfolio is going to have a lot miles under its belt by the time it is done.

Brian

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

We can work out a kind of rolling deadline once we get the list together, since the prints won't be collected all at once, but rather, each person will add a print when it comes around to them the first time around, and when it comes a second time, they'll take the first print out and put in a new one. We'll try to arrange the list as best we can to keep the postage costs reasonable, and so that those who can't afford a heavy postage burden won't get stuck with one where possible.

 

[lee]

I would like to participate after January 21, 2003 Then I will be free to make new prints. Before that I will be printing a new show.

lee

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

We'll start working out the schedule and the details in a new thread with a call for participants. I doubt we'll really start going before the new year, and it will take a while to move through the list anyway (figure it will stay with each participant for about a week and mailing time, which could be quite long as it goes internationally), so Jan 21 should be fine.

 

[bmac]

There is a new thread with info on the project located in the off-topic conversations section.

Jusmp to it here: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Brian

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I just tried to fix that link, but the database doesn't seem to like it, either as straight text or as html. Go to the "Off Topic" forum, and you'll find the thread there.