Looking to do a print exchange

Filmproject · Feb 20, 2025

Hi! I am new here and not sure how this works exactly, and I am still trying to figure it all out! If this isn't in the right spot, please let me know! I am getting back into film photography and darkroom printing after 33 years and I would love to do a regular monthly (ish) exchange with some people. It would give me a project to work on each month, a way to learn from others and watch their growth too. Is there an already organized group that does this regularly that I could join into it a couple newbies that are interested? I'm really open and flexible, just want to connect, share, and learn with others. Thanks!

mshchem · Feb 20, 2025

A fun thing is the photo postcard exchange, roughly 4 times a year.

Filmproject · Feb 20, 2025

mshchem said:
A fun thing is the photo postcard exchange, roughly 4 times a year.

Yes! That is what brought me here! I heard about it in a YouTube video. I will get on the one in March! I am also looking for a regular monthly (ish) swap with 1-5 people. A photo pen pal in a way.

Ajven · Feb 20, 2025

There is also "Blind Print Exchange" (BPX) on this site. I have joined twice and I received amazing photos. Although it is a little bit complicated - I usually send 8x10" that are heavy and sometimes you have to fill customs declaration according to target country. The main interesting thing is that you know who is receiver of your print(s) but you do not know who will sent the prints to you until the envelope is in your hands.

Filmproject · Feb 20, 2025

Ajven said:
There is also "Blind Print Exchange" (BPX) on this site. I have joined twice and I received amazing photos. Although it is a little bit complicated - I usually send 8x10" that are heavy and sometimes you have to fill customs declaration according to target country. The main interesting thing is that you know who is receiver of your print(s) but you do not know who will sent the prints to you until the envelope is in your hands.

Awesome! Thanks! I saw that one too and I will keep an eye out for when that one happens again! I am looking for something more regularly, casual, and local in the US (to avoid regular international expenses). Something with 1-3 people maybe that is sharing a 5x7 (ish) print monthly (ish). Something I can work towards each month and to share and learn from others as I watch them grow as well. Kind of a Photo Pen Pal.

koraks · Feb 20, 2025

I'm going to copy in @BHuij who fairly recently organized a cross-platform print exchange; you can read about it here: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/fall-2024-print-exchange-via-reddit.208873

Filmproject said:
more regularly

Filmproject said:
each month

I think you'll find that if you do an exchange, it's pretty challenging to keep the pace of a cycle every month. By all means give it a try, but I think the Postcard Exchange is a good example of what is feasible. Indeed, I'd recommend joining that one even if just to see how it goes, and then take the lessons learned to your own exchange.

Don_ih · Feb 20, 2025

I don't think you'll get many takers for an exchange that happens every month. You might be able to find an individual or two who will do a "pen-pal" type of reciprocal exchange - you send them a photo, they send you a photo. But I wouldn't count on that always being once a month. Sometimes, it's hard to find time to get into the darkroom to make a print - particularly one you might want to send to someone else.

So, I think you should try the postcard exchange. You'll find most participants are in the US. You don't have to use "postcards" - you can make a print (as small as 3.5x5 or as big as 5x7) and put it in an envelope.

It is good practice and you will get some swell prints in return.

BHuij · Feb 20, 2025

You already know about my upcoming exchange. Sign-ups open in March and I'll be sure to post here

For what it's worth, I have found a few pen pals who are also into photography over at reddit.com/r/penpal.

Filmproject · Feb 20, 2025

BHuij said:
You already know about my upcoming exchange. Sign-ups open in March and I'll be sure to post here

For what it's worth, I have found a few pen pals who are also into photography over at reddit.com/r/penpal.

Perfect! Thanks so much! Ya, just looking for someone who is interested in being a Photo Pen Pal, not super intense, but someone who when I have something I am working on, I can send a copy to and also they can send me.

Filmproject · Feb 20, 2025

Don_ih said:
I don't think you'll get many takers for an exchange that happens every month. You might be able to find an individual or two who will do a "pen-pal" type of reciprocal exchange - you send them a photo, they send you a photo. But I wouldn't count on that always being once a month. Sometimes, it's hard to find time to get into the darkroom to make a print - particularly one you might want to send to someone else.

So, I think you should try the postcard exchange. You'll find most participants are in the US. You don't have to use "postcards" - you can make a print (as small as 3.5x5 or as big as 5x7) and put it in an envelope.

It is good practice and you will get some swell prints in return.

Thanks! I will definitely participate in the postcard exchange and see how it goes! For the Photo Pen Pal, I am not looking for an intense commitment, just someone I can send a photo to once a month or so when I am working on something, and they can do the same. Nice just to have someone to share with every once in a while and to watch them grow too. Maybe nobody is interested, and that ok too.

Looking to do a print exchange

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