Postcard Exchange Round 13 - Results, Feedback and more

Dietmar Wolf · Apr 1, 2008

Adam. Your shot is funny. Thanks.

rst · Apr 2, 2008

So, the plan was to start the next signup round at the beginning of April. But I see that there were a lot of people late this round (including myself ). From the number of cards I received I would say that there are still people who have not sent their cards yet (I sent out 50 cards and got 34 cards but these 34 cards make this round already to one of my best rounds.) So my proposal is move the next round to start with signups on May 1st. Continuing this schedule we will end up with 3 postcard rounds per year (Signup on January, May and September) which is OK in my opinion. What do you think?

And now for something completely different: Steve Frizza sent a self portrait - and a good one btw. In one of the last rounds Greg sent the twin self portrait and I met with Mick in person. So from all the postcard exchange participants I know from three how they look like. So my idea for the next round is to have a self portrait round. Everyone should send a self portrait which should not be too old and really show you in a way that the others will be able to recognize you on the street. What do you think of this idea? Fun? Or would it drive away too many people from the postcard exchange?

Regards
-- Ruediger

mooseontheloose · Apr 2, 2008

I'm 17 for 25 at the moment. I also feel a May sign up would be better to allow those who are a little late sending their postcards to catch up.

I also really like the idea of an overall theme for the exchanges -- although I would prefer it to be general ('self-portrait') and not overly specific (as in 'really show you in a way that the others will be able to recognize you on the street'). Personally I would prefer some creative license (since not all of us are comfortable in front of the camera -- or good at portraits) but that's just me. I think this exchange has also revealed some other themes -- the past, nature, oddball stuff, infrared, etc. -- that would be interesting to follow up.

Having a theme might drive some people away -- perhaps it could be optional? Those who are up for the challenge (or like having some direction in terms of choosing or producing an image) could send postcards based on the theme, and those who don't could still participate with some other image.

rachelle

Mick Fagan · Apr 2, 2008

Well I have already printed some (30) cards for the next round.

Self portrait is a good idea, I have one of myself using a self timer taken with a 15mm lens, with my nose about 50mm from the lens. I guarantee that you wouldn't easily recognise me, unless you knew me very well.

Rüdiger, it is a good idea and if it is decided to run with it, perhaps you could think of starting round 14 now with a start up time of May the first, with June the first being the actual start time.

That way newish people who won't have known it was to be a set subject, will have ample time to prepare.

Mick.

Tim Gray · Apr 2, 2008

I'm ok with a later start. I was definitely one of the ones who was late this round and until a couple weeks ago, hadn't really gotten a chance to shoot much in the last couple months. So an extra month to burn some new negs would be great.

tim_walls · Apr 2, 2008

I thought I'd got all my cards out... But while tidying up the catastrophe that is my life last night I managed to find an extra sheet of labels for cards I haven't sent yet. Eek! Sorry! Will get them out ASAP - anyone who should've received my card but hasn't, it's probably my fault not the post office's...

So a later start would definitely suit me. Hopefully by June I'll know where I'm living! (I quite like the self-portrait idea as well; however I hate photos of myself - but I guess that's what makes it a challenge.)

kraker · Apr 2, 2008

Received cards from:
Adam, nice photographer's eye, lots of things happening, very nice, though I personally would have tried to get a bit more contrast in the print.
Bob F., nice lines, nice curves (still talking about the walkway itself, yes!), well-balanced composition. Makes me wonder, though, if this is *partially* sepia-toned, then what does a fully toned print look like ? (I still have to have a first go at toning...)

Thanks to both of you.

And with those, my count is at 21 out of 30 (not counting the 3 from Kate, which are outside the regular exchange); even a few from the people who are normally amongst the early birds are still missing.

So, yes, a delayed start would be good, this round needs more time to finish. And although mine are all sent, I'm not really prepared for the next round yet. Which reminds me that I need to do the shooting for the last Polaroid Exchange...

As for the suggestion of having a theme: it's an interesting thought!

Maybe, just to get a good overview, the people that are delayed could post that (again) here?

erikg · Apr 2, 2008

I think pushing the date back is a good idea, I'd like to see the rest of this round before the next batch starts rolling in. I think doing a self-portrait round would be fun too, although the rest of you may not think so when you get a picture of my ugly mug!

AdamKap · Apr 2, 2008

I like thew ideal for a self portrait, and I definatly could use the May sign up.

Got two more cards as well:
gordrob's Teahouse. Amazing shot. I definably think of this when I think of a postcard. Great choice
Bob F's British Museum. Great shapes, Ever since I saw the BBC documentary on it, Ive wanted to shoot there.

Stephen Frizza · Apr 2, 2008

did I inspire this perhaps? hehehehehe...

drpsilver · Apr 3, 2008

02 April 2008

I agree with erikg that I would like Round #13 to be completed before Round 14 started, therefore I could support a delay in starting Round #14. As Ruediger mentioned in an earlier post that would mean signup in May and September. My question is in 2009 do we begin with signups in January and resume the usual schedule?

I kinda like a theme for each exchange as long as it (1) allows some flexibility of interpretation, and (2) following the theme is not a requirement to participate in the exchange.

A self-portrait would be a challenge for me, but I am willing to try. I usually like being on the ground glass side of the camera!

Regards,
Darwin

rst · Apr 3, 2008

drpsilver said:
My question is in 2009 do we begin with signups in January and resume the usual schedule?

My proposal is to come to a schedule of 3 exchanges per year and signups are in January, May and September.

drpsilver said:
I kinda like a theme for each exchange as long as it (1) allows some flexibility of interpretation, and (2) following the theme is not a requirement to participate in the exchange.

Yes, it should not be a requirement. I am still not sure about what I should think about my own proposal :confused:

To collect our thoughts about this I started a new (there was a url link here which no longer exists) so here we can concentrate again on the feedback.

Regards
-- Ruediger

Mick Fagan · Apr 3, 2008

If we were to have themes for each round, I think quite a few people would start to drop out.

The idea of being told what to photograph is reasonable, however if all of the cards coming in were of the same subject, it could start to look like a competition of who has the best version.

I see an incredible array of pictures coming in from around the world with each exchange. The way we all have different things we wish to photograph giving us a variable viewpoint of the world, is one of the strengths of the postcard exchange.

I can see the logic of having a set subject every other year or so, and as long as the lead time is reasonable it could and probably would work.

Just my tuppence worth!

Three rounds a year, is probably a very good number!

Mick.

rst · Apr 3, 2008

Mick Fagan said:
... The idea of being told what to photograph is reasonable, however if all of the cards coming in were of the same subject, it could start to look like a competition of who has the best version.

I see an incredible array of pictures coming in from around the world with each exchange. The way we all have different things we wish to photograph giving us a variable viewpoint of the world, is one of the strengths of the postcard exchange.

These are two very good points which let me think that having themes would be a bad idea at all. I do not want competition and the variety of subjects is really a strength. Thanks for helping me getting a clear view. I should have thought about it before proposing a self-portrait round.

Regards
-- Ruediger

I will crosspost this in the other thread.

KWhitmore · Apr 3, 2008

More cards coming in...
Tim Gray's watering cans, nice tones, great DOF, also congrats on the new darkroom, you're off to a great start.
Gordrob's tea house, what a beautiful place! You captured it perfectly...I had a complete "wish I was there" moment looking at it, thanks!
James/blackmelas train station, awesome description and I love the diagonals. I can't see how you could "eek" much more from this, it's already great!
Don's airplanes, wow and wow. I think you took advantage of your once in a lifetime shot and nailed it. You were ready for it...
Bob F's courtyard walkway, great compostion, everything's so well placed here, I also like the creamy tones from the sepia.

Thanks again to all who sent cards, this was a fantastic round!

Katherine

BWKate · Apr 3, 2008

I receivedBobF's wonderful postcard of the walkway at the British Museum. I also love the creamy tones and I definitely had a "wish I was there" moment. I love this image because it shows a different part of the courtyard than is usually pictured. I can just imagine the great echoey space! Well done!

Allen Friday · Apr 3, 2008

Hi all,

I am back from New Zealand and I have developed about half of the film I exposed on the trip. I hope to develop the rest this weekend and to make prints next week. I haven't forgotten about the exchange, I'm just a little (okay, a lot) behind in my darkroom work. For some reason, when you are gone for three weeks, work piles up on the desk.

Thanks for all the terrific cards.

Allen

BWKate · Apr 3, 2008

No worries Allen, but we are expecting some really cool travel postcard!!!

Received Don Grindstaff's historic photo of the space shuttle catching a ride on the 747 airplane. Very cool! Don't worry that it's not a perfect print or neg. Glad to have it!!
Don, the pen I find that works very well for writing on RC postcards is the black Ultra Fine Sharpie. It dries quickly and is permanent. Good for writing on the Printfile film holder sheets. I write all my postcards with my black ultra fine point Sharpie and no one so far has said my writing was blurred or rubbed off.

Buster6X6 · Apr 3, 2008

Three more cards arrived last couple of days.

AdamKap "Shoot the freak" well composed and interesting photo with a lot of detail.
James blackmelas as always well exposed and composed image with outstanding lens. Very nice. Last but not least:
Bob F British museum walkway. Like the composition very inviting color make's it interesting and well balanced. Good round guy's.

Cheers Greg

kraker · Apr 6, 2008

Don Grindstaff's card arrived yesterday. Very unique picture, I'm glad to have it. Should the Postcard Exchange have a theme? No, it should not. This is what makes it unique. I wouldn't have wanted to miss this picture.

Don, do you have some more details? Like when was this picture taken and which shuttle is it? (I guess the latter can perhaps be deduced from the former...)

BirgerA · Apr 6, 2008

My cards were sent out friday afternoon, sorry for the delay.

Regards

Birger A.

AdamKap · Apr 6, 2008

Got Don's card, great historical shot, thanks.
Also got Dylan's card, I love the selective focus.

Dietmar Wolf · Apr 7, 2008

Hi Birger.

You card arrived today. Very nice! What is this for paper? Fiber and high gloss finish? Or RC ?

regards, Dietmar

BirgerA · Apr 7, 2008

D. Wolf said:
Hi Birger.

You card arrived today. Very nice! What is this for paper? Fiber and high gloss finish? Or RC ?

regards, Dietmar

Thank you Dietmar

I ran out of Ilford Portfolio Postcard stock and had to use some Ilford MGIV Multigrade IV RC De Luxe Glossy. So it's all RC.

Regards

Birger A.

Don Grindstaff · Apr 7, 2008

The shuttle pic is of Discovery in "05" it landed at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana to refuel in route to Florida. Apparently 747's are not very fuel efficent with shuttles on thier back. I was lucky enough to have been at work the morning they announced it was arriving, by the time I ran home for the cameras it was on approach so the b&W film shots where rushed. I switched to the digital and got some fair shots of it on the ramp also.

I would like to extend my great thanks for all of the wonderfull shots I have recieved I am truly honored and and humbled by the collective work of this group.

I was not real happy with that print or neg. but I had a big smile while taking it. I wish I had of had more film that day instead of having to use the digital.

Postcard Exchange Round 13 - Results, Feedback and more

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