Poll on the future of Postcard Echange

[George Nova Scotia]

With upcoming change to PHOTRIO should we make changes to the Postcard Exchange? Currently the main requirement is the image must be captured on film. Digital printing has been allowed but very rare, I think I've only seen one card printed on ink jet paper. The number of participants seems to have dropped in the last year or so. Currently in the 20-30 range, it used to be much more. Allowing other forms may help bring the numbers up again and add to the variety. Keep in mind you can always set your personal limit on the numbers.

So what are your thoughts? Should we stay the same or let anyone play? The next sign up starts September 1st.

 

[MattKing]

I wouldn't want to exclude those who shoot colour but depend on lab printing (almost always from a digital intermediate nowadays).
And I also wouldn't want to exclude those Alternative process people who have embraced digital negatives.
So I vote for the current rules.
EDIT: I'm confused by the wording of the poll - the "as it is now" rules currently permit hybrid originating from film.

 

[George Nova Scotia]

Matt, I agree the current rules basically include Hybrid if you start with film. I imagine there may be Hybrid processes that start with digital but then again that could just be my imagination. It seems with the new workflows we have Analog, Hybrid, Digital, or none. But I see your point and now we are left with just two choices.
Keep it as is or let everyone play.

 

[MattKing]

I imagine there may be Hybrid processes that start with digital but then again that could just be my imagination.

Yep - all sorts. Including having film negatives made from digital files.

 

[LarsAC]

A main motivation to participate for me (besides seeing great pictures) is to see how others print in the darkroom. That would include alt processes from digital negatives.

The current number of participants is ok to finish up the batch in an evening which is not a bad thing, BTW.

Lars

 

[Down Under]

May I ask a silly question? What exactly is The Postcard Exchange? I've been around these parts since the last landing of the ark, and I (vaguely) recall postings in the past about a camera floating around the globe, but that's it. What have I missed out on?

This said, I voted to keep it to film only. Opening it up to digital will be, in my view, a mistake. Every other photo web site in the world has digital image posts. Must we run with the mob? Let the digi boys and girls have their own postcard place. In this techno-crazy world out there, we who still prefer to use (mostly) film should have something entirely and uniquely left to ourselves to call our own.

To me all this to-do is like the current idiotic political (non)issue of same sex marriage (SSM) going on here in Australia - philosophically and every other -ically I'm okay with it, but I really don't want it to be made compulsory!

 

[Eric Rose]

Why not have both a digital and analog exchange? Each would reside on their separate sections of Photrio. If I wanted to participate in both I could.

 

[ozphoto]

For me, the wonderful thing about the PCX, is that I get to see how the participants shoot their world on film, minus all the PS manipulation that seems to be so prevalent - over-processed HDR I'm looking at you here!!

I get that sometimes you can't access a lab - I often have to inkjet print a scanned negative, but apart from that, there's no "digital manipulation". (Ok, the purists may say the scanning is DM, but in all fairness, you need to scan to put up into the APUG gallery, so how does it differ exactly?)

Naturally, there may be a lot of digital users out there who may want to partake in the PCX, maybe the digital/hybrid area can have a DPCX to meet their needs? Those in the current PCX who want A & D could then subscribe to both?

Don't get me wrong - digital definitely has its place, I just enjoy seeing the postcards in the PCX, because they are captured the analog way. If I want to see digital - I can visit Instagram. As always, YMMV.

 

[ozphoto]

May I ask a silly question? What exactly is The Postcard Exchange? I've been around these parts since the last landing of the ark, and I (vaguely) recall postings in the past about a camera floating around the globe, but that's it. What have I missed out on?

. . .

In a nutshell: you decide the number of cards you wish to print, signup by adding your name to the PCX list to the next "live" round (and the total # of prints). At the close of the signup, you'll receive a list of people to send your cards to, and in turn, you'll receive cards from others as well.

This thread explains the PCX in much greater (and probably better detail):
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Hopefully this thread will answer all your questions:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[jvo]

i haven't been on the postcard exchange for over a year now - having gotten custody of 2 grandkids has kept me pretty busy, and darkroom and time has been minimal. i hope one day to return PCX.

As such, i agree with ozphoto - not to be exclusionary, but because i guess i don't yet have an appreciation for the digitized world in my photography. (maybe in the hybrid area there could be a separate exchange, open to all forms?)

great question to have been raised - thanks george.

jvo

For me, the wonderful thing about the PCX, is that I get to see how the participants shoot their world on film, minus all the PS manipulation that seems to be so prevalent - over-processed HDR I'm looking at you here!!

...Don't get me wrong - digital definitely has its place, I just enjoy seeing the postcards in the PCX, because they are captured the analog way. If I want to see digital - I can visit Instagram. As always, YMMV.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Since we already allow hybrid techniques I don't have a problem with continuing with that. Personally I don't care if it starts or ends digitally, but either the start (film) or the end (hand-made print) should be analog. I wouldn't be interested in a digital only (from start to end) process.

As for numbers, I kind of like the smaller numbers as it makes things easier to print in the darkroom (20+ is a lot less tedious than 50+!). However, I do miss the variety from the larger exchanges.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Edit: (duplicate post)

I didn't vote in the poll because the options are too limited.

Another thought: Perhaps the next exchange, which would be the final one for 2017, could remain as is, as we see how the changes to Photrio take hold. It seems premature to vote now before we even know how things will pan out over the coming months.

 

[drpsilver]

For me, the wonderful thing about the PCX, is that I get to see how the participants shoot their world on film, minus all the PS manipulation that seems to be so prevalent - over-processed HDR I'm looking at you here!!

I get that sometimes you can't access a lab - I often have to inkjet print a scanned negative, but apart from that, there's no "digital manipulation". (Ok, the purists may say the scanning is DM, but in all fairness, you need to scan to put up into the APUG gallery, so how does it differ exactly?)

08 Aug 2017

I echo Nanette's comments about what brings me the most joy from PCX. It is fascinating to me how others "see" the world around them. This also helps my view of the world around me. It is also cool to get mail for around the world.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[tezzasmall]

I think I am with the majority of people on here. I would like to see it go as is, with (if there is a want for one) a separate exchange for digital workflow. Extra time allowing, I might even join up for both exchanges occasionally, if this is the way things go.

Terry S

 

[winger]

I'm with Moosontheloose and Eric Rose - let's see how it all pans out, but maybe add a digital one if there's enough interest. At least it results in a hard copy, which seems to be what's frequently lacking in digital circles.

 

[mike c]

I say leave it analog and after the change over if there is enough interest in a digital post cards let the ones that want it start one, thats pretty much how the post card exch. we have now started.

 

[George Nova Scotia]

So far 100% to stay as is. Anymore voters out there?

 

[Nige]

I say leave it analog and after the change over if there is enough interest in a digital post cards let the ones that want it start one, thats pretty much how the post card exch. we have now started.

+1

 

[George Nova Scotia]

Thanks for your help. Poll is 100% to stay as we are. I'll be closing this thread now. Sign up for the next round starts in a couple days so please join in.

If demand rises for a digital postcard exchange I'm sure we can help, Let's see what happens and maybe we can get more printed images circling the globe.