Postcard Exchange #29 Comments and Feedback

[ndrs]

A small update:

I've printed replacement cards for those British Airways lost with my suitcase somewhere on the Luxembourg-London-San Francisco route.
It will be a lottery -- some of you in the USA will receive a colour card I originally intended to send. Some will get a B&W replacement.
I'll be travelling for the next ten days, so labelling + posting has to wait until the end of the month.

Andres

 

[piu58]

I got the card form BoxBrownie, which shows a funny merry-go-round with tractor seats mouted. Thank you!

 

[Pilami]

received postcards

Hi you all,
I received 8 postcards up until today for which I want to say thank you very much.
i'm having so much fun wirh this exchange, always looking forward to opening the mailbox just in case that there could be another card in it - I'm thoroughly enjoying this!

The cards I got so far are:

GWR Pannier Tank - by Ed Bray - I love the scenery and this forceful engine
Tree Monster - by blujeh2 - the monster simply popped out of the card, wonderful that you found this!
Winterdisteln - by Uwe Pilz - a really unusual card with this old paper, I like the emotion it gives, I think it supports the mood
Hedy's Vase - by bluejeh - a peaceful and very balanced still live with a beautiful vase
Chimpanzee with camera - by Steve Frizza - this one made me laugh and i appreciate the humour!
Shore - by Trond - a wondefully toned and very peaceful picture of a lake (I assume) - one of my favourite places to be!
alienis - by jimo - unusual atmosphere, really not sure if its pleasant or rather scary - 'I can hear someone reciting 'The Raven' - I simply love the comment given with teh card - I think this is going to become my new answer when asked about my pictures (I could give details but won't)
Merry-go-round - by BoxBrownie - I'm not sure that this Merry-go-round is for children, those tractor seats look quite big - the soft quality of the print enhances this (for me) a little sad mood.

Thank you all very much - I will be back for the next round and thank you George very warmly for doing this!

 

[gleaf]

Oh My and thank you.
I know you all warned me, I'm sure you did about retiring and available time.
My bad. I'm a slow learner.

Envelopes addressed and stamped then caught on the road with no way to print.

Miine should be out in 5 weeks. Very humble apologies.
Ill know to print first next time.

Best

George

 

[ozphoto]

Darwin's Reflection arrived today - had staff at the office guessing which way was up!

 

[Oxleyroad]

20/30 - another 6 prints in the post box over the last 8 working days.

BoxBrownie - Merry-go-Round. I remember on of these in the 70's. Built by a local farmer and brought to the primary school on Fete day as a fund raiser.
ndrs - Hat on Lawn. My first colour post card this round. I really like the shades of green and the sharp blackness of the top hat.
megzdad81 - Morning Ride. Wonderfull image catching the streaks of morning light on the fog through the trees.
ozphoto - Stonehenge. How did you get a photo without a million other visitors there and a picture that is not including that horrible rope that encompassed the stones to keep the visitors out. I made several visits between 94 and 97 at all sorts of time of day and was not able to capture what you have here.
drpsilver - Reflection. Wonderfull image Darwin. A card that has drawn comment from everyone who has seen it here on the bench in the kitchen.
hbooks - Dog. If this is your first print ever, I wished I had the courage to enter a print exchange with my first prints ever. You have done a really fine job, and this can only be the start of a life time addiction to chemistry in a darkened room...

 

[ozphoto]

ozphoto - Stonehenge. How did you get a photo without a million other visitors there and a picture that is not including that horrible rope that encompassed the stones to keep the visitors out. I made several visits between 94 and 97 at all sorts of time of day and was not able to capture what you have here.

I waited for a *very* long time and I don't remember a rope being present that day (1998) if I remember correctly, there was a very low wire which I'm actually shooting under - my mum was a saint: she was actually keeping watch for new appearances and letting me know if they were about to enter from the RHS; was later in the afternoon, and luckily all the big tours had finished up. The few stragglers that were there, are actually hidden behind the stones - one of the few times I haven't cursed slow walkers!!

 

[Oxleyroad]

So I needed to wait another year. I left Europe in 97, should have stretched my time for just 12 months more.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Well, I've been gone for 2 weeks and was pleasantly surprised that the only mail to have come in that time were all APUG postcards! The mailman had a good look at all of them before handing them over!

BoxBrownie's "Merry-go-round" is a nice contrast to ozphoto's "Stonehenge". The former has a melancholy feel to it, of days long past and probably forgotten. The latter has wonderful life to it, with the basic colours, clouds, and wide-angle view. I visited Stonehenge 6 years ago and did not get any shots that remotely resemble this (could be due to the cold, rainy, November day I was there though )

Darwin's "Reflection" virtually wills you to hold it upside down (it seems more "right" for some reason), but I like it in both orientations. Similarly, Edcculus's jumble of vines has me searching for hidden treasures within.

Labcoat has caught a great moment in capturing people cooling down during the heat of summer -- makes me wish we had something like this in Japan! It hit 40 degrees Celsius today (in the shade) -- unfortunately cooling off in fountains or sprinklers just doesn't happen here.

Finally, I have to give props to Hayley Books' first print ever -- a lovely dog portrait, although I would admit to wishing the dog was a little lighter to stand out better against the background. But in all other respects it's a nice print!

And, keeping with the animal theme for a moment, I also have to admit I enjoyed Stephen Frizza's print of Mr. Jiggs. For some reason this card got missed in my earlier comments.

Thanks to one and all, and looking forward to the getting the final cards for this round!

 

[ozphoto]

Oxleyroad's Steam arrived today - great story and I love shooting these types of subjects too.

Looking forward to more gracing the mailbox - the bills are getting boring!

 

[jvo]

rec'd from

hayley books, "a dog in...", excellent job for 1st print - i don't think you can go wrong with a dog as a subject. go to admit it takes courage or confidence to enter a print postcard exchange never having printed before - nice to see.
johannes, "...foals..." a spring time shot and unusually framed.
ed struble, "vines", intriguing
???, morning ride, an enjoyable print, done beautiful - nice light through the trees
jacco de kraker, "hillside", cyanotype... superb execution - someday i summon the courage to do one, this is truly inspiring!
boxbrownie, "merry-go-round", i somehow remember riding one of these - fond memory!
reflection, "drpsilver", love the tree!
mardan, "protrait", pensive - what's she thinking?
rachelle. "hae sai waterfalls" - very refreshing as i sit here on this hot summer day.

thanks to each of you.

jvo

 

[piu58]

The next card: Steam form AndyC. I like the story behind the photo and the phot itself too.

 

[Stephen Frizza]

I have received a few more that past 2 weeks which makes a nice change from the usual bills and boring political flyers (its election time here)

First up Bluejeh and Bluejeh2 ....two nice 5x7" the first being roses in a vase and the second a mosses on tree roots. Are the roses from your garden?

Second up is Oxleyroad close up of steam engine pistons. I am jealous because I love everything and anything steam and this sounds awesome! would love to see it running. thanks for the detailed explanation.

Third up DRPSILVER postcard titled 'Reflection" Beautiful card Love the reflected tree and how it is broken up by the reeds. Your dad would be proud of that image.

Fourth was from Hayley Books A cute dog in Port Aransas, you say this is your first print ever...Good work hopefully its followed by many many more! welcome to the world of printing.

Fifth card was by BoxBrownie I love the elements that are blending together in this the Buddha, yourself, the street with nice terraces. The lighting and contrast in this card is really pleasant as is the warm tone paper with selenium. Nice combo.

Next up is Ozphoto A nice colour card of Stone Henge. I hope to get here one day myself, In the mean time nice to see your image of it.

Last but not least I got a card from Edcculus Ivy growing up the side of a building, beautiful I wish more structures had Ivy growing on them here.

Has been really great to receive your cards and I look forward to the rest as they arrive. Many thanks everyone.

 

[drpsilver]

31 Aug 2013

Thank you all for your kind words about the image I used on my postcard.

Since I lost my comments to the cards I had received two weeks ago, it is now time to try posting comments again. Unfortunately they will be somewhat abbreviated. I will also do them in smaller pieces, and in no particular order.

The photo from labcoat effectively used a "tunnel" to focus the view on the subject of the image. Well done.
A nice piece of history is told with the photo from Oxleyroad. The engineer in my would like to see this engine run. It must be fascinating.
"Stonehenge" from Ozphoto is very nice. I really like how the clouds complement the stones. This image is wonderfully sharp. Make me want to visit again!
The merry-go-round photographed by BoxBrownie looks like it would be fun. There are a lot of stories to be told about this ride.

I am getting tired, it is 12:30 in the morning The next batch of comments may come in a couple of days.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[Oxleyroad]

Looking forward to Round 30!

I'll be in it as soon as I see the sign up

 

[George Nova Scotia]

Looking forward to Round 30!

I'll be in it as soon as I see the sign up

It will be up soon :wizard: One more chore to finish first!

 

[George Nova Scotia]

The ROUND 30 sign on thread is up, link below in my sig.

I must say that I'm very sorry my cards haven't made it out to the world yet. They will be going very soon. It's been rather warm and humid this summer and with no air conditioning and the darkroom in a second floor spare room it's been tough. I just don't get along with the heat & humidity.

I've received many cards and hope to acknowledge them soon. One I'll mention now, kraker's card arrived in the last mail. Lovely card actually the first cyantype I've seen in person. Just one question, why does it have a stamp on the back saying it was "MISSENT TO MPC JAKARTA" ? That seems a little out of the way to get from the Netherlands to Canada.

 

[kraker]

George, that seems a little out of the way indeed. Haven't got a clue what happened there. Could have gotten stuck on another of my postcards, but then again, Jakarta was not on my list of destinations for any card this round, so that possible explanation doesn't hold up. Let's just say that it is all part of the fun of this exchange. I'm glad it reached you in the end.

Now it's time to sign up for round 30.

 

[Pilami]

Hi,
in the comments I read somewhere about a blog somehow connected to the Collodion process? I'm not sure if I got that right, BUT:

dear ndrs, if there is a blog in any way about, concerning or whatever to collodion pictures: could you give me a link/access?
please?
thank you ever so much
pilami

 

[rst]

Mine got printed yesterday. Now they wait under a heavy book until I get the time to write them. Should be sometime this week.

Since I am late again this round I should sit out round 30 - that should be enough self-punishment.

Cheers
Ruediger

 

[megzdad81]

OK, first I will make my excuses for not commenting before now—spinal fusion on 6/6 at neck level that has provided really good medicine, and limited all activity with a hard brace to keep the head in place relative to driving, typing, developing, and picture-taking. The right (dominant) hand still doesn’t function correctly. The postcards received were a regular bright spot in 2.5 months of shut-in and recuperation. (Note to self: never re-organize negatives while under the influence of really good medicine …)
1. Uwe —winter scene with snow bank, you later said was on 70-year-old paper—amazing!! The image still holds detail in the snow where there was just a slight tone difference. I have a 99% full 250 sheet box of 12-year- old Kodak Polymax II RC that comes out completely black no matter the exposure. South Carolina is unkind to photo paper.
2. Steve Frizza—Mr. Jiggs—thank you for the picture of my son with his first camera … Honestly, we loved it here, but were confused as to where it came from, or if you actually shot the picture since you mention Tri-X—seeing as how the postcard came from Australia, and Wikipedia says Mr. Jiggs died 10 years before the first Polaroid Land Camera. Just asking …
3. Bruce McCaughey—“The Boat Building Shed”—wonderful tonality and crispness in the detail.
4. Ed Bray—“GWR Pannier Tank 6430”—wonderful that the engine and coach have been preserved. It looks like there is exhaust coming from the stack—is this regularly operating engine? Thank you for the backstory to the image subject . Is it the full frame for the 5x7 negative?
5. Matt King—“Pump House Graffiti”—very interesting approach with the toning. The graffiti artist looks to have been somewhat influenced by Picasso. Nice catch of the ‘street’ art—sometimes we go right by the obvious because it doesn’t fit our mental picture of what will be a good subject.
6. Trond—“Shore”—as I’ve said before, I’m a sucker for tone. An image with good tonal range is like a great song or bottle of wine, and “Shore” is just really pleasing to my eye. I also like the visual play of what look like two specific harmonic sets/tracks of wave that lead from the bottom to the marsh outlet. Maybe no one sees it but me (I have a cataract, and really good medicine), but I enjoy the visual play. Thank you for a memorable image.
7. Ivan S.—“Weathered Pillars”—I really like the subject, and the foreground appears to me to be snow. I would like it better if the snow was lighter/brighter to contrast against the pilings. I guess I would like more contrast, but maybe you had a low contrast subject even with the snow.
8. Peter S. – “Backlot” – this image reminds me of innumerable self portraits of the same style my favorite worst was a detailed self-portrait of my reflection in a window I was shooting through. So is that you or a truly unknown?
9. Anikin – “Airport Security – I didn’t know what to think, figuring it was 3 Amigos in costume. Then I got out my magnifying glass and read “Inchon” on the sign above. I will not be going to Korea … Nice “street capture”.
10. Rachelle – “The Beach” waterfall – very nice. Light and airy with the mist, yet the image looks 3-dimensional. There is a little S-shape in the lower left that hints at another little fall …
11. Kraker – “Hillside” – CYANOTYPE!! Marvelous! I would have liked it more without the little copse of trees on the left, but what a first attempt! Thank you.
12. Hayley – “Dog” – great first print. It caused me to go back and look at my first three rolls. The first two were chemical disasters, but the third, I’m thinking ‘not bad for first attempt’ (I was about 21, so looong ago.). You had a bright background to throw the meter off, but kept great detail in the dog’s face, even in shadow. Not easy.

 

[ozphoto]

Ouch, Bob - hope you're feeling better soon!

 

[Stephen Frizza]

2. Steve Frizza—Mr. Jiggs—thank you for the picture of my son with his first camera … Honestly, we loved it here, but were confused as to where it came from, or if you actually shot the picture since you mention Tri-X—seeing as how the postcard came from Australia, and Wikipedia says Mr. Jiggs died 10 years before the first Polaroid Land Camera. Just asking …

There have been multiple Mr Jiggs in America this is the Mr Jiggs of tv show and party hire fame in the 1970's. The image is from an American archive I have been printing. I really liked the shot so shared it all with you. Here is a super 8 link to Mr Jiggs at a party http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNinJuKDl2M

glad you liked it.

 

[Mike Wilde]

Further card comments from the ones that have been piling up in my 'mail to be processed' pile.

Box Brownie- Merry Go Round. Poingnant capture of a simpler time of our past amusements. Nice and sharp, good dof, and local contrast. The framing at the top of the image being partially cut off it a tad distracting.

DRP Sliver - Reflection. The delightful distortions of the glass like fore shore thry the reeds is almost like a fine art pencll sketch. Very well executed.

NDRS Top Hat - A nice RA-4 print that uses the yellowed highlights of this out dated paper to advantage, pairing well with with the strong greeen grass that predominates the scene. The skillful placement of the top hat in the frame makes it anything but banal, and the story of the hat makes the image stronger.

labcoat - Baltimore Fountain. A delightful street scene of a hot days case of urban frivolity indulged while cooling off. The lady holding up her dress as she wades captures the feeling best for me.

Oxley Road - Steam. A great capture of a scene of industrial elements of the past. I too get out every few years to see a big steam engine on its annual historic run, down at the Hamilton water works.

OzPhoto- Stonehenge - Wow. What a great panoramic RA-4 print - really makes you feel you are in a special place. No sign of the hand of modern man anywhere in the image other than the shorn grass. Fantastic clouds, and the bird perched on one of the edges of one stone makes it all that beter.


My card printing effort for R29 is stalled at the moment. The envelopes are all addresses, and the stamps bought, but no printing so far.

I have taken the past few months (when my time has not otheriwse been spoken for by others) up entirely with building shed in my back yard. We have a single car garage that my wife parks her car in regualrly. It is otherwise stuffed with garden implements, snow shovel and sleds, christmas and halloween decorations, home maintenance building supplies and tools, etc, as well as camping supplies and a canoe all tucked into the rafters and in shelves beside and in front of where the car parks.

I have grown tired of being the contortionist to get stuff at ground level out whlie the car is in there, and am loath to move the car out, then in again for easy access to things like rakes and hoes.

So now I am almost finished a 100 square foot with 8' ceiling shed. It has fully insulated walls, floor and ceiling and is now weather tight. I am presently digging power supply and communcation conduits the 80' to reach to the house, with an eye to making a bit of a studio of it to get out of the house to contemplate, and also to set the stage towards deploying a hot tub spa next to it in a few years. The ground is very dry presently, so the digging is comaratively easy, though in truth digging consolidated clay is not easy digging. About 40' left to ga, and I seem to get about 8' per night while taking care to not sever all tree roots I come across for a large tree that shades the house.

I will get the due round 29 cards out, but as you see 'life' is in the way at the moment. I have done all rounds from 14-28 well. I am not signing on to round 30 unless all is in order before the sign on cut off date.

 

[Ed Bray]

4. Ed Bray—“GWR Pannier Tank 6430”—wonderful that the engine and coach have been preserved. It looks like there is exhaust coming from the stack—is this regularly operating engine? Thank you for the backstory to the image subject . Is it the full frame for the 5x7 negative?

The engine runs daily from April through to October, and at most weekends between November and March.

Almost the full frame I had to crop a little off the bottom to fit the postcard format so it is a reduction rather than an enlargement, I had to use a 240mm lens on the enlarger to go so small.

I have had some other cards delivered, but been a bit busy with other things so will catch up in a few days or so.