Postcard Exchange Future: Digital? Alone or together.

[mooseontheloose]

Like Matt, I've been in the exchange for quite a while and love the variety of prints that I have gotten over the years. For those of you who have not taken part in it before, it already is a hybrid exchange, as it has accepted all forms of printing, as long as the original was on film. However, I think the opposite approach is acceptable to me as well - even if the original capture was digital, if the final output was done in a hybrid/analog way (enlarged negs, cyanotypes, etc.) then why not? I feel the analog process is just about film, but the final print. That said, I probably would want to see a digital-only type of exchange, rather than have it mixed in with the current model.

So I'd like a combined exchange, but for me that means there still is an analog part to the process, not all digital.

 

[fgorga]

Like Matt, I've been in the exchange for quite a while and love the variety of prints that I have gotten over the years. For those of you who have not taken part in it before, it already is a hybrid exchange, as it has accepted all forms of printing, as long as the original was on film. However, I think the opposite approach is acceptable to me as well - even if the original capture was digital, if the final output was done in a hybrid/analog way (enlarged negs, cyanotypes, etc.) then why not? I feel the analog process is just about film, but the final print. That said, I probably would want to see a digital-only type of exchange, rather than have it mixed in with the current model.

So I'd like a combined exchange, but for me that means there still is an analog part to the process, not all digital.

+1

This seems to me to be a very workable compromise.

 

[Jim Christie]

I don't see any reason to not allow digital, other than the possibility of alienating some participants who don't want to receive digital photo postcards. It would complicate things maybe too much if people could choose what types of card to receive (they're need to state what type of card they're sending).

To me this seems like an ideal solution that would potentially open participation to a broader audience while still allowing the exchange to remain analogue for those who prefer that. I was interested to see this poll because since moving over to digital some years back, one thing I miss from my film days is participation in the postcard exchange. Regardless of the outcome, I'll be looking forward to the final results of the poll.

 

[Nige]

not all digital.

That would be emailing Flicker URL's

 

[drpsilver]

Like Matt, I've been in the exchange for quite a while and love the variety of prints that I have gotten over the years. For those of you who have not taken part in it before, it already is a hybrid exchange, as it has accepted all forms of printing, as long as the original was on film. However, I think the opposite approach is acceptable to me as well - even if the original capture was digital, if the final output was done in a hybrid/analog way (enlarged negs, cyanotypes, etc.) then why not? I feel the analog process is just about film, but the final print. That said, I probably would want to see a digital-only type of exchange, rather than have it mixed in with the current model.

So I'd like a combined exchange, but for me that means there still is an analog part to the process, not all digital.

18 Nov 2021

Like MattKing and mooseontheloose I have been participating in these exchanges since Round #12. For me photography allows an artist to see the world in many different ways. One of the biggest thrills for me in these exchanges has been seeing other photographer's work. I have received cyanotypes, instant photos, and photograms over the years. What they all have in common is that the artist was part of the process on making the "art piece". I am ok with a workflow that includes some analog process, because not everyone has the luxury of their own darkroom. I agree with Rachelle's comments above.

Regards,
Darwin

Edit:

19 Nov 2021

If postage costs are prohibiting photographers from participating in the exchange the option of doing only two rounds a year might be an incentive to join. This would reduce costs without missing any PCX rounds. For the record, in the US all international postcards have required "letter rate" postage for several years.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[mooseontheloose]

18 Nov 2021

19 Nov 2021

If postage costs are prohibiting photographers from participating in the exchange the option of doing only two rounds a year might be an incentive to join. This would reduce costs without missing any PCX rounds. For the record, in the US all international postcards have required "letter rate" postage for several years.

Regards,
Darwin

Darwin, I think this might be a good option for a lot of people. I'd rather see reduced rounds rather than eliminate or completely change the way the exchange is done now. That said, I still think the numbers are fairly healthy - from what I've seen of the early exchanges, the numbers were quite similar, so I don't think we have much to worry about yet.

That said - I think a number of exchanges are suffering across the entire site - participation in the monthly shooting assignment is low, the current "let's all shoot one camera" camera is MIA years after it began it's journey, and some of the other print exchanges have mixed participation and successful completion rates (I know that I need to fulfill a few of these myself), although some may be doing better than others. So clearly the postcard exchange is not an outlier, but the realities of the increased costs to send prints (especially internationally), combined with the makeup of our current membership, probably has a lot to do with it. Compared to others I feel lucky here in Japan - sending a postcard only costs 70 yen (about $0.60 US), although I often spend more than that since the 70 yen stamps suck (I just use the letter rate 82 yen stamps - still cheaper than the postcard or letter rate elsewhere).

 

[MattKing]

Well, the other day when I printed up the cards for the current round (awaiting labels and postage as we type) I also made a point of printing the next round of cards from another negative.
So no matter what, you will have me around for a while!

 

[George Nova Scotia]

Looks like another 24 hours left for the poll. I appreciate all the comments and will sit done and have a good read thru. Still time to add your voice.

 

[gijsbert]

Like Matt, I've been in the exchange for quite a while and love the variety of prints that I have gotten over the years. For those of you who have not taken part in it before, it already is a hybrid exchange, as it has accepted all forms of printing, as long as the original was on film. However, I think the opposite approach is acceptable to me as well - even if the original capture was digital, if the final output was done in a hybrid/analog way (enlarged negs, cyanotypes, etc.) then why not? I feel the analog process is just about film, but the final print. That said, I probably would want to see a digital-only type of exchange, rather than have it mixed in with the current model.

So I'd like a combined exchange, but for me that means there still is an analog part to the process, not all digital.

+1

 

[Don_ih]

I think, if the exchange remains as is, it will get new participants if it is stressed that people can sign up for as few cards as they wish and they can send cards that are inkjet prints from film scans. The more I think about it, the less I expect many digital photographers will make postcards.
And some people don't want any prints. That was one of the responses I got when I asked why so few people take part in the exchanges. So people are not interested in photos taken and printed by other people. Fair enough.
Also, a lot of people don't seem to know the exchange exists at all.

 

[Laurent]

One day, when I've fulfilled my commitment to Round #52 (IIRC), I'll be back, and would be fine with a mixed Postcard Exchange.

 

[jvo]

Start one.

That's a possibility - personally I like the "combined" idea, and understand any reluctance on the part of a film/darkroom photographer. I'd also like any effort to be complementary rather than competitive withe the current exchange.

I'm not sure what that would look like - so if you have some ideas that's also the purpose of this thread.

 

[George Nova Scotia]

Hi everyone, the poll has closed but please comment if you like. I've been tied up lately with some paper work and am way behind on my fruit cake making.

I promise I'll be back shortly.

George

 

[jvo]

if you haven't "brandied" your fruit cake yet, you are way late to the parade!!!!

Enjoy the holidays!

 

[Wayne Frederick]

I have not been able to participate in the postcard exchange for quite a while because of fatigue and depression from the pandemic. I prefer to send and receive 100% analog postcards. I hope to be able to participate again.
Regards, Wayne

 

[iandvaag]

I've missed out on the last few rounds as I am finishing up my MSc and just haven't had the time. I haven't checked APUG for months! Sorry to hear that participation in the PCX has been faltering; I hope to rejoin in the spring or summer when I graduate. I'm dogmatically all-analog for my own stuff and it's what I enjoy most, but I think Rachelle's suggestion is the best one.

 

[George Nova Scotia]

if you haven't "brandied" your fruit cake yet, you are way late to the parade!!!!

Enjoy the holidays!

I give the fruit an overnight soak in rum before baking. Then they have to age. I still have three from last year and everyone who gets this years knows to go slow.

 

[George Nova Scotia]

Thanks for the comments, I'm still trying to catch up with things but should be back to speed soon..

 

[Rob Skeoch]

Hey George,
I've been on and off with the exchange for a number of years, dropping out when I moved and didn't have a darkroom. Now we're building the darkroom and I have time to play a bit more.
I would only send darkroom prints and appreciate getting back darkroom prints. I have little interest in digital.

 

[George Nova Scotia]

I'm back, most of my chores are caught up on. Papers packaged and about a dozen fruit cakes in storage.

It's still 2021 here but I be opening up the sign up thread shortly.

I read through the comments and looked at the poll results. I'm not sure that a digital only exchange would be viable, maybe but it would be a small one. There seems to be interest for digital/hybrid methods. Keep in mind we have always allowed alternate printing methods. I don't think I would have ever held a cyanotype or Van Dyke brown print if were not for this exchange.

Ok, here's my plan for 2022. The first exchange for 2022 will be open to everyone. Film shooters are still our main focus, but really the true focus I feel is make prints and exchange them worldwide and see what may be possible. Digital shooters will be welcomed, with bonus points for hybrid print methods.
How we go from there will depend on participation and comments on the actual cards. A separate digital exchange may happen later, but we will have to see.

I do hope that everyone participates if they can. See you in 2022.

George