Postcard Exchange Round 31 Comments and Feedback

[fretlessdavis]

t is a little hidden on the Tetenal homepage, but if you open this PDF http://www.tetenal.com/opener1.htm?file=imaging_shop/images/00000734.pdf it will be under toners and is called sulfite toner. It is for sure not one of the new odorless toners ....
Actually all cards were bleached completely (were in the bleach for about 3 minutes until I could see no more reduction in tone for 1 minute). All cards were printed with higher contrast than I would usually do, to makeup for a loss of contrast. Other than that, I just followed the instructions of the toning kit. I feel that the paper is really having a large impact on how the toned prints turned out.

Thanks for the info. Definitely going to try it out. the PCX seems like a good way to experiment with that, too-- working with 4x6's instead of 8x10's.

Thanks for the link on the Tetenal-- It's prohibitively expensive over here ($47 for the 500ml kit, plus shipping). It looks similar to the formulation of most of the 'classic' sepias, though... I don't use much MGIV or Ilford in general these days for paper, but from what I can tell Sepia on a neutral to cooler toned paper should give the look I was trying to get out of the Seagull Warmtone. Most Sepia prints I've seen over here look way overdone, and as more of an effect than an enhancement. Good to know it's not just the Polysulfide/Thioreau type baths that'll give the more subtle pleasing result.

 

[Kc2edh]

I've received a few cards so far, all really really nice!

Still haven't decided what I want to use for my card yet, have a couple rolls of film from Christmas vacation that I still need to develop. It's looking like I don't have to get up early tomorrow, first time in almost a month. I must be getting older, because the first thing that comes to mind isn't "Time to go into town and hang out at the bar", it's "Finally I can spend a long night back in the darkroom!"

 

[Black Dog]

That's the spirit....maybe you could do a bit of homebrewing while waiting for your prints to wash?

 

[adelorenzo]

Despite having printed them BEFORE the start of the exchange I only just got mine into the mail today.

I have received two so far up here in the Great White North. Will post some comments once I get a bigger pile.

 

[drpsilver]

24 Feb 2014

Two items: (1) my postcards will be delivered to the Post Office tomorrow, (2) following are comments for cards I have received to-date.

I agree with previous comments on the card from rince. Good composition, wonderfully sharp, and tone. I like that the sepia toning is more brown than red. Very nicely done.
The card from jimbop is also very nice. It is wonderfully sharp with good composition. I like how the lions are looking is different directions. Makes me wonder what they are thinking.
The card from astroclimb is very interesting. I have read about Santurie de Chimayo, and it is always referred to as a "sacred site". Thanks for a very interesting image.
There was an entire generation that thought a trailer in the dessert was "California Dreamin'". Thanks to Peter Schrager I get to experience that feeling again.
I like the perspective of the photo from fretlessdavis. Looking at things in new and different ways is always good.

Look forward to more cards in the mailbox.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[Kc2edh]

That's the spirit....maybe you could do a bit of homebrewing while waiting for your prints to wash?

Had a successful night in the darkroom, and did a few more tonight. Almost finished! However, I may have "homebrewed" a little too much. For the first time, I dropped a tray with a full liter of photo-flo on the carpeting. Oh well, this is the worst apartment I've ever lived in. It won't make the tiniest difference!

The prints came out perfectly fine though....

 

[drpsilver]

24 Feb 2014

Just found two more cards on my desk ...

It took me a while to figure "which way was up" when viewing the card from SebastianKrauss. I really like how you captured the perfect mirror reflection. Very well done.
The card from piu58 has a great story behind it. This exhibit hall looks like a neat place to photograph. Wish you many good photographs and memories.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[Laurent]

I've been late to comment, in the past weeks I received:

- "Brothers in arms" from Jimbop, very nice view of two lions (I'd LOVE to see such animal in the wild!)
- A little California dreaming from Peter, I could see myself in such a place !
- "Tree trunk" from Sebastian Krauss, very nice contact print from 4x5. I love the texture and details of 4x5, even if I finally "resigned" from it.

Thanks to you!

 

[fretlessdavis]

24 Feb 2014

Two items: (1) my postcards will be delivered to the Post Office tomorrow, (2) following are comments for cards I have received to-date.

I agree with previous comments on the card from rince. Good composition, wonderfully sharp, and tone. I like that the sepia toning is more brown than red. Very nicely done.
The card from jimbop is also very nice. It is wonderfully sharp with good composition. I like how the lions are looking is different directions. Makes me wonder what they are thinking.
The card from astroclimb is very interesting. I have read about Santurie de Chimayo, and it is always referred to as a "sacred site". Thanks for a very interesting image.
There was an entire generation that thought a trailer in the dessert was "California Dreamin'". Thanks to Peter Schrager I get to experience that feeling again.
I like the perspective of the photo from fretlessdavis. Looking at things in new and different ways is always good.

Look forward to more cards in the mailbox.

Regards,
Darwin

Which one did you get? I made the mistake of doing 10 different postcards, but forgot to write down who got what... No idea now how to interpret feedback.

 

[Black Dog]

Sometimes I've forgotten who got what as well, so now I always make a list!

 

[ataim]

My prints have been ready for two week, but I just now dropped them in the box

I love the pints so far. Especially the lions! Good work there.

 

[Black Dog]

Very impressed with mine as well so far!

 

[jvo]

it's official!

my tardiness... i'm "half printed" - had an unanticipated 2 weeks in the big apple, and didn't even get to take any pictures! will be hard at finishing printing this week/weekend and out by 3/10. please excuse my delay!

jvo

 

[drpsilver]

02 Mar 2014

Several items:

1. The card I received from fretlessdavis is a photo of the hub and spokes of a wagon wheel in Flagstaff, AZ.

2. Postcards I have received over the past week.
The card from ajmiller is very nicely composed and printed. I like the partial reflection - in connect the foreground and background of the photo.
A photo of a special plant from TXFZ1. Must be cool to see it bloom for the first time in many years. Enjoy the specialness of this time.
It is always nice to receive an "alternative process" print. The image that adelorenzo chose fits well with cyanotype. Great perspective on a large subject.

Thanks to all for a bunch of great images.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[Laurent]

I received a beautiful cyanotype, of the SS Klondike, but can't find who sent it... Anyway, the image is beautiful, and the fact that it's a cyano makes it even better!

Thanks!

 

[MattKing]

I received a beautiful cyanotype, of the SS Klondike, but can't find who sent it... Anyway, the image is beautiful, and the fact that it's a cyano makes it even better!

Thanks!

My best guess is that it came from adelorenzo.

And I agree - it is beautiful.

 

[adelorenzo]

Thanks guys! Yup the SS Klondike cyanotypes are mine. Sounds like I forgot to put my name on there!

 

[piu58]

Yesterday I received two great cards:
- The cyanoytpie (SS Klondike, from canada). I am canoeist and made a trip from Whithehorse/Yukon to the Klondike some years ago. This image reminds me this great adventure.
- Vyshmirsky wrote an very unusual interesting card mad on very thick cardbord. Great looking! Which company makes this?

 

[vyshemirsky]

I received a few excellent cards. I will write a proper "thank you" post later.
I particularly loved a photo of a monkey, and a cyanotype of SS Klondike, but I loved all the postcards - the beautiful picture of a shed toned to brown colours was excellent too. I will write more later.

- Vyshmirsky wrote an very unusual interesting card mad on very thick cardbord. Great looking! Which company makes this?

The whole thing was handmade. It is a proper optical print on Kodak Supra Endura paper, glued to mountboard and then cut to size. I managed to print 2 of those per 8x10 sheet and then cut down to size.

 

[Laurent]

I received a few excellent cards. I will write a proper "thank you" post later.
I particularly loved a photo of a monkey, and a cyanotype of SS Klondike, but I loved all the postcards - the beautiful picture of a shed toned to brown colours was excellent too. I will write more later.



The whole thing was handmade. It is a proper optical print on Kodak Supra Endura paper, glued to mountboard and then cut to size. I managed to print 2 of those per 8x10 sheet and then cut down to size.

I received your card too, and I really love ot. The presentation is very neat, and the image is lovely !

 

[anikin]

My cards are in the mail. Sorry about the delay. I have received a lot of beautiful postcards so far. I will try to comment on them soon.

Eugene.

 

[megzdad81]

Rince, the photo of the old shack in Mecklenburg was fantastic--cutting-edge sharp and I really love the toning. It should look even better in an 8 by 10, or better yet, 11 x 14!

Uwe, it took me a while to figure out what the double exposure was. I finally figured it out when I saw the beer bottle on the ceiling. You didn't say how you did it--was it each half of the total exposure or did you have to expose extra? Nice job!

Sebastian--half frozen lake--same problem as I had with Uwe. When I pull a card out of the mail, it was upside down and took me a long time to figure out there was frozen grass in the foreground the lakes where I live are never that still.

Darwin-- Teasel-- wickedly sharp for what had to be in open-air. I especially like how the stocks stand out from the background. Very nice contrast without it being overdone.

 

[piu58]

Yesterday I got a fine print: The print of a fuller's teasel form darwin. Thank you very much!

 

[ajmiller]

Two received here yesterday, safe and well, in North Yorkshire UK.
One from Paul Ward (ataim) - great landscape, beautiful light.
The other from Darwin (drpsilver) - striking print 'Teasel' - superbly done.

Thanks to you both - they're on our wall now.

 

[anikin]

Here's what I have received so far:


ajmiller - reflections in the field. You've got a great eye. I love the lines,
silouette of the trees and the whole composition. The photo is just perfect!

Ataim - forest in colorado. The photo reminds me of Shiskin's "Morning in a Pine Forest" Just add the bears and you've got it

Just yesterday I've got a postcard by Mark Sauerwald of Mission San Juan Bauticita. Amazing clarity and a great composition. I'll try to visit it next time I am in California.

A photo of my next home by Peter Schrager. Enough said.

A boat house by Dennis Rince. Beautiful structure and texture. I love the detail on your print, it just pulls you in! By the way, great toning! Just perfect for this subject.

"Snake Plant Bloom" by TXFZ1. Beautiful plant and a great story!

The tree trunk by SebastianKrauss. A great puzzle photo. Tell me what do you see? I see a monster crawling out of water

piu58 "Trade hall #17" Great architectural shot! It's not easy getting perfect parallel lines in such a wide angle shot. The only thing that bothers me is the coffee cup in front. Don't know why, it's probably just me.

And two best cards of this exchange, and maybe even of all time are "Brothers in arms" by jimbop and "SS Klondike" by adelorenzo. These two are just amazing!