Postcard Exchange Round 45 Comments & Feedback

[Black Dog]

I sent mine out (Funky rocks in Zion NP) on December 14, I hope a few made it.
I must admit and maybe apologize for not really commenting here on cards received, but I have received many; I got quite a stack of them on my desk, it is really fun to receive these cards, so thanks!!

It made it to Cumbria-nice moody image with a dramatic Strand-esque sky. Thanks.

 

[Laurent]

I've not been very present in the last weeks, and did not comment on all the beautiful cards I've received. Sorry for this.
My cards are printed, but I still need to address and send them.

I hope you'll pardon me!

 

[drpsilver]

07 Jan 2019

After long last I have had some time to comment on the cards I have received. Here are my comments in the order of the pile next to the computer.

Jon Tryggvason: A elegant, but a bit ghost like, portrait of a girl. I like the contrast of the dark background and white dress, it emphasizes the subject.
mike c: This image reminds me of the days when I gleaned grapes to make wine. Now I just purchase grapes to make my wine.
awty: This "moody" image of a very interesting swimming pool. I looks like it is connected to the ocean.
Howard Earl: A nice photo of a piece of Americana. It is nice to see it operated by a veteran. They deserve all the help we can give them.
adelorenzo: This photo of a backbone is cool. I really like the slight brown/sepia tone. It makes the image real work.
LarsAC: Classic cars make nice subjects. I like how you controlled the depth-of-focus to isolate the headlamp.
kmg1974: Nicely captured fireworks.
aluk: The composition of this image is very nice. The shape focus on the statues feet with the out-of-focus visitor in the background. I also like how you controlled the tones and detail in the white marble.
bedrof: This looks like a cool place to photograph. You succeeded on getting some "IR effect". Nice detail and tones. The paper you used i very reminiscent of Kodak finish Y, it works for the image.
iandvaag: Nice capture of birds in flight. I like how they balance the birds in the water. Saskatoon is not far from where my Mom grew-up.
Gijsbert: Another "moody" image. I like the composition near and far rocks. Zion is a neat place to photograph. Did you get a chance to visit Bryce Canyon?

Thanks to all for some very nice images. I look forward to seeing more work in Round #46

Regards,
Darwin

 

[gijsbert]

07 Jan 2019

Gijsbert: Another "moody" image. I like the composition near and far rocks. Zion is a neat place to photograph. Did you get a chance to visit Bryce Canyon?

Thanks to all for some very nice images. I look forward to seeing more work in Round #46

Regards,
Darwin

Indeed the sky is quite dark and thus moody, but I was having a great day over there and it did not feel moody at all, but it does make the print more interesting. I did go to Bryce Canyon, but haven't had time to look at my negatives. I love going to Bryce, the Fairyland Trail I did is really nice and not thaaat hard to do. I do find it hard to make photographs there: Too many features everywhere and often hard to isolate and when isolated difficult to make interesting, at least for me. A totally blue sky didn't help

Thanks for your comments.

 

[iandvaag]

Lots of wonderful cards have made their way to me. A lot of great images this round; thanks for all your efforts!

gijsbert – Beautiful composition, I love how much I can see into the shadows – very immersive.
MattKing - “Overlooked” - I like the way the clouds came out in this print.
drpsilver - “Fuji Apple” - The curled leaves somehow seem very pompous, as if the apple was saying “look at how majestic I am!” I hope it was tasty.
adelorenzo – Caribou Bones – Stark. A caribou’s life seems incredibly harsh (bitter cold, pesky flies, and eating mostly lichen), a harshness which is captured very nicely in the tones of this print, and in the contrast of textures of the clean bones on the rugged stones. I love the stamp too (basking shark).
Jon Tryggvason - “Girl on the Road” - Wow. There is so much subject separation with focus, shape and tone that she really jumps off the page. The subject placement with respect to the background is perfect, and the darker clouds at the top of the frame draw my eyes right back to the image. I think the tonal rendering is perfect.
mike c – Summer Grapevine Sunrise – The backlight gives a nice view of the subsurface texture of the leaves.
Howard Earl – Uncle San Hot Dog Kart – Nice contrast. Very sharp and grainless. How do you large format guys avoid dust when contact printing? I always have difficulty.
aluk – I love how something is left to the imagination in regards to the facial expression of the museum-goer in the background.
LarsAC – I'm glad you had your camera with you. The reflections in the nearest chrome headlight give a nice indication of the outdoor context. Perfect amount of depth of field to draw the attention to the nearest headlight.
Black Dog - “Shades of Winter” - I like the quote you provided, and the phrase “barest essentials” is put very well. I like the harsher, directional light on the foreground juxtaposed against the diffuse cloudy sky.
awty - “Swim” - The dark rendition of the reflective surfaces gives a unique feel to the image. Very nice print.

 

[adelorenzo]

I'm also just finding the time to comment on my pile of cards. It was a busy holiday as we welcomed a new member of the family on Christmas day.

So far 12 cards have made the journey North of 60. I even had four arrive on one day in December! In no particular order:

Gijsbert - Love the composition and the tones are absolutely perfect in this print. I see tons of color work from Zion online it's great to see some really well done black and white.
Yon - This is a really arresting image of the girl in the mask. You've done a great job holding detail in the whites and drawing the eye to the subject. Also so cool to get a card from Iceland!
mike c - Love the backlit lighting here, a really cool image from an old folder.
Black Dog - A very dark and mysterious image but looking closely there is great texture here. Love the square print. I also received your postcard from BPX 28! I think I may have commented on the other thread but if not I LOVE this print "A Winter Walk" particularly how you have the two figures looking at each other.
Matt King - Always look forward to getting your cards and this one is no exception. Love to see scenes from my neighbour to the south. Really like the toning it complements the image perfectly.
Howard - Love this subject, this image tells a great story. Nice to see an intrepid in action. Did you contact print this?
Avi - I love this print. You really need to look closely to see which figures are real and which are not. I also really like the image tone.
Paul - Fantastic job using the geometric shapes to frame the subject. I like everything about this print really.
Lars - I love automobile detail shots and this one is a banger. Great print the tones really sparkle as they should for a shiny car.
1kgcoffee - So cool to recieve a real RA4 print. The color on this one is terrific and a really cool look from the Helios lens.
Ian - Woah two RA4 prints! Great timing on this capture of the geese and the tree in the corner almost points the eye at them.
Darwin - I've been trying my hand at still life the past few months, I really liked seeing your card come in the mail. Really well done with both the composition and lighting, the tones and texture in the leaves are perfect.

Thanks everyone! It's always so much fun to be part of these. Also thanks to George for organizing, hope you got your card in the mail as well.

Regards,
Anthony

 

[1kgcoffee]

Thanks to everyone for the cards. It's a special community here that I'm proud to be a member of.
I have received 12:
Black Dog: The Carved Three: Very cool glyphs. I love the texture and chaos. Seems alien having no context or obvious origin but a past generation trying to leave something more permanent. Only criticism is that the print is a bit dark for my tastes.
Lars: Shiny and super sharp!! I'm going to guess tmax. Love all the fine details.
Anthony Delorenzo: I have always wanted to visit NWT. Such a harsh, wild, barren place. love the minimalist composition that captures it so beautifully.
Howard Earl: The eye is drawn right to Uncle Sam offering me a hotdog. He almost pops out of the image. I saw these types of carts all over the place in Oregon and loved stopping at them. Very American love it.
Paul Fitzpatrick: Its been a very mild winter but I'm not too fond of the cold weather. When I look at this image I can smell the salty air, hear flowing of the ocean and feel the warm humid air. The blues and greens would be overpowering printed in color. Gets the imagination going.
Avi: The post office must have cut out the pornographic upper half of the postcards - the guys in the background seem to be enjoying the show LOL. The grain really fits the subject. I want to know what the rest of the statue looks like.
inadvaag: I love true ra-4 optical prints. Such beautiful colours. A real slice of peaceful Saskatchewan thank you.
Drpsilver: At first I thought it was a vase with some withering plant growing out of it. I love the tones in the leafs, the textures of the backdrop and the simple composition. The selenium toning shows in the rich tones. Makes me want to try some still lifes.
mike c: Reminds me of spending time as a child in the garden, looking into the foliage and smelling life in the plants and dirt. The brightness of the scene past the leaves makes it seem like a refuge. These types of image are also my style. I feel calm and relieved from this scene.
Matt King: Super sharp with great range. I just shot my first roll of tmax a few days ago and impressed by what it can do. Love the rich tones in the shadows and the slight tint. Beautiful.
Jon Thyssuzson: Might be my favourite image from the round. Gorgeous dark background with a creepy looking girl doing a curtsy. I think she might have an axe tied to her back. The subject is unique and the composition is just perfect. Short tele was the right choice in my opinion.
Gisjbert: Alright it might be a tie for favourite. Reminds of the badlands in Alberta. This print is just luminiscent and sharp and full of so many details. I want to try this satin paper now.

 

[bedrof]

Finally commenting upon 4 cards I received in the end of 2018.

Jon Tryggvason – Girl on the road – well, that is a rather unusual subject, intriguing and disturbing. Nice tonal and compositional balance.
iandvaag – Water under the bridge – this color print stands out of the cards from this round, I like its soft palette and balance of tones.
drpsilver – Fuji Apple – love the contrast and toning effect. Interesting texture and curves of leaves against the background cloth draws attention most.
mike c – Summer Grapevine Sunrise – interesting rhythm of the leaves fading in the background.

The current total count of the cards I received at this round is 9.
This exchange is a big enjoyment for me. Thanks everyone!

 

[Black Dog]

I'm also just finding the time to comment on my pile of cards. It was a busy holiday as we welcomed a new member of the family on Christmas day.

So far 12 cards have made the journey North of 60. I even had four arrive on one day in December! In no particular order:

Gijsbert - Love the composition and the tones are absolutely perfect in this print. I see tons of color work from Zion online it's great to see some really well done black and white.
Yon - This is a really arresting image of the girl in the mask. You've done a great job holding detail in the whites and drawing the eye to the subject. Also so cool to get a card from Iceland!
mike c - Love the backlit lighting here, a really cool image from an old folder.
Black Dog - A very dark and mysterious image but looking closely there is great texture here. Love the square print. I also received your postcard from BPX 28! I think I may have commented on the other thread but if not I LOVE this print "A Winter Walk" particularly how you have the two figures looking at each other.
Matt King - Always look forward to getting your cards and this one is no exception. Love to see scenes from my neighbour to the south. Really like the toning it complements the image perfectly.
Howard - Love this subject, this image tells a great story. Nice to see an intrepid in action. Did you contact print this?
Avi - I love this print. You really need to look closely to see which figures are real and which are not. I also really like the image tone.
Paul - Fantastic job using the geometric shapes to frame the subject. I like everything about this print really.
Lars - I love automobile detail shots and this one is a banger. Great print the tones really sparkle as they should for a shiny car.
1kgcoffee - So cool to recieve a real RA4 print. The color on this one is terrific and a really cool look from the Helios lens.
Ian - Woah two RA4 prints! Great timing on this capture of the geese and the tree in the corner almost points the eye at them.
Darwin - I've been trying my hand at still life the past few months, I really liked seeing your card come in the mail. Really well done with both the composition and lighting, the tones and texture in the leaves are perfect.

Thanks everyone! It's always so much fun to be part of these. Also thanks to George for organizing, hope you got your card in the mail as well.

Regards,
Anthony

Thanks-I enjoy experimenting with different tonalities in prints; the work of John Blakemore, Thomas Cooper, Hiroshi Sugimoto and e 'WPaul Caponigro has inspired me to experiment along these lines. Some of these guys print a LOT darker than me-it's good to see how far you can push things.

 

[Howard Earl]

I'm also just finding the time to comment on my pile of cards. It was a busy holiday as we welcomed a new member of the family on Christmas day.

So far 12 cards have made the journey North of 60. I even had four arrive on one day in December! In no particular order:

Gijsbert - Love the composition and the tones are absolutely perfect in this print. I see tons of color work from Zion online it's great to see some really well done black and white.
Yon - This is a really arresting image of the girl in the mask. You've done a great job holding detail in the whites and drawing the eye to the subject. Also so cool to get a card from Iceland!
mike c - Love the backlit lighting here, a really cool image from an old folder.
Black Dog - A very dark and mysterious image but looking closely there is great texture here. Love the square print. I also received your postcard from BPX 28! I think I may have commented on the other thread but if not I LOVE this print "A Winter Walk" particularly how you have the two figures looking at each other.
Matt King - Always look forward to getting your cards and this one is no exception. Love to see scenes from my neighbour to the south. Really like the toning it complements the image perfectly.
Howard - Love this subject, this image tells a great story. Nice to see an intrepid in action. Did you contact print this?
Avi - I love this print. You really need to look closely to see which figures are real and which are not. I also really like the image tone.
Paul - Fantastic job using the geometric shapes to frame the subject. I like everything about this print really.
Lars - I love automobile detail shots and this one is a banger. Great print the tones really sparkle as they should for a shiny car.
1kgcoffee - So cool to recieve a real RA4 print. The color on this one is terrific and a really cool look from the Helios lens.
Ian - Woah two RA4 prints! Great timing on this capture of the geese and the tree in the corner almost points the eye at them.
Darwin - I've been trying my hand at still life the past few months, I really liked seeing your card come in the mail. Really well done with both the composition and lighting, the tones and texture in the leaves are perfect.

Thanks everyone! It's always so much fun to be part of these. Also thanks to George for organizing, hope you got your card in the mail as well.

Regards,
Anthony

Hi,

Thanks for your response. Yes 4x5 contact print on ilford postcard paper.

Howard

 

[Wayne Frederick]

I finally got my cards out for this round. Thanks to all for sending me your wonderful cards. I would like to comment on the ones I have received so far-

tezzasmall A part of an Italian Garden showing lots of fine detail in the plants and stone masonry. I spent a while studying this photo with a magnifying glass, very nice.
mike c Soft picture of grape vines showing detail and the effects of heat.
Black Dog Group cooling off after a walk at the beach. There is a humorous feeling about this photo.
Jon Tryggvason Somewhat creepy (but not overly so) picture of a woman with white dress and white mask. Composition is pleasingly symmetrical.
Howard Earl Very sharp picture. Uncle Sam Wants YOU (to buy a hot dog).
MattKing Wildlife area showing great detail in what looks like a tidal flat.
LarsAC Close up of hood and headlights of an old car, nice tonality
Iandvaag River, bridge, geese, and tree with fall color. Beautiful glowing light.
Gijsbert Dramatic light and sky at Zion National Park. I see that you use Ethol LPD paper developer, which is my favorite.
aluk Nice close up photo of detailed sculptural legs and feet, with admiring spectators.
kmg1974 Dramatic color photo of a fireworks display. Great composition.
drpsilver Nice soft portrait of a Fuji Apple. Nice that the apple tree leaves are still attached.
adelorenzo Vivid white bones against dark detailed gravel. Stark, somewhat disturbing photo

Thanks again, Wayne Frederick

 

[Laurent]

Okay, fellow photographers, I'm finally back into business... So I'm happy to report my cards are printed, written, addressed and stamped, and that they should leave France no later than tomorrow.

In the meantime, I've received many beautiful cards so, in no particular order (in fact in the order in which they are currently piled on my desk!), here's at least an acknowledgment of all. No comments simply means I don't know what to say, I like them all !

Bedrof's view from The Dolomites, lovely landscape ( I love square for landscapes!) on a silk paper (I used it a lot in my youth, for no good reasons. In this case it works well with the image)
Wayne Frederick's "teamster and oxen", I can feel the action happenning there.
1kgCoffee's Daisies, one of the few only color cards I've got this round. Was almost stolen by my wife, as she loves it as much as I do!
Kmg1974's fireworks, reminds me both of the first images I shot with my AE1-P, and of Edimbourg, which I enjoyed visiting many years ago
Gijsbert's Funky rocks at Zion park. Nice composition of textured rocks, with wonderful textures and details.
Paul Fitzpatrick's "Swim", great perspective of a pool by the sea.
iandvaag's Water under the bridge, Great feeling of winter with the geese and the tree colour!
Aluk's detail of a marble (bot sure this is the right word) statue, the character in the back adds a lot I think
HowardEarl's "Uncle Sam", interesting slice of life, with this small food-caravan
Mike C's Summer Grapvine Sunrise, I can feel the sun coming thourgh the leaves, almost as if I was there
ADelorenzo's Cariboo bones, wonderful composition with a sense of depth, and of course a feeling of time passing.
Jon Tryggvason's "girl on the road", I'd really like to know the story behind the image, this feels very strange!
Darwin's "Fuji apple", happy the squirrels did not get this one, it makes a great sill-life!
Matt King's "Overlooked", lovely landscape
LarsAC's oldtimer car, I love these mechanical details.

Thanks to all of you (and sorry it took me so long to send the cards, but I have to confess the Post Office took long to get me the right stamps, even if it was not the only reason.

 

[bedrof]

Laurent, I'm so glad you received it! And thanks for your comment.

According to reports here, only 3 people (4 with one local Russian addressee) got my cards from this round. What a poor percentage

 

[Laurent]

Laurent, I'm so glad you received it! And thanks for your comment.

According to reports here, only 3 people (4 with one local Russian addressee) got my cards from this round. What a poor percentage

Yes, this looks a very low percentage! And I assume not everybody is as lazy as I am...

 

[awty]

I just received this week 1kgCoffee's Daisies print, my wife and I enjoy it very much.
Hopefully the weather will cool sometime so I can get into the darkroom and make cards for the next round.

 

[Black Dog]

I just received this week 1kgCoffee's Daisies print, my wife and I enjoy it very much.
Hopefully the weather will cool sometime so I can get into the darkroom and make cards for the next round.

I enjoyed it too!

 

[Wayne Frederick]

Thanks 1kg coffee for the daisies card with such wonderful colors.

Wayne

 

[mike c]

Bedrof's card to day, beautiful mountain scene in northern Italy. Printed on silky paper, must be old paper but has not fogged with age. Who was the manufacturer of this paper bedrof ?

 

[tezzasmall]

I finally got my cards out for this round. Thanks to all for sending me your wonderful cards. I would like to comment on the ones I have received so far-

tezzasmall A part of an Italian Garden showing lots of fine detail in the plants and stone masonry. I spent a while studying this photo with a magnifying glass, very nice.

Thanks for the feedback and letting a lot of us know our cards have been received Wayne.

FYI I also made a 10 x 8 print and even then there were lots of details that I would need to look at through a magnifying glass to see.

But it is amazing at how so many pictures never get printed. For I didn't print this one after I first took it - it took a good few years before looking at the negs again and thinking about printing it up. How many more are out there in all of our collections, just screaming out to be printed for others to see?

Terry S

 

[awty]

Also found, while tidying up my desk a couple more I missed acknowledging.
iandvaag Another great colour print of the geese flying about in Autumn.
aluk A nicely composed b&w in a museum of part of a statue and someone admiring.

Thanks.

 

[bedrof]

Bedrof's card to day, beautiful mountain scene in northern Italy. Printed on silky paper, must be old paper but has not fogged with age. Who was the manufacturer of this paper bedrof ?

Mike, it's not old, it's still manufactured by "Slavich" factory
Thanks for your feedback!

 

[Laurent]

I'm glad to report my cards are now in the mail! Hope you get them soon enough!

 

[mike c]

Mike, it's not old, it's still manufactured by "Slavich" factory
Thanks for your feedback!

Thats good too know, it looks like paper I used thirty years ago.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Alright, now that classes are finished and the grades are in, I've finally had time to clean up my papers and found a bunch of postcards mixed in with them. Apologies for not commenting on them sooner, it's just been a crazy few months for me at work.

So I've already mentioned a few in previous posts, but of course I want to comment on the ones I've received since then.

Colour prints don't show up too often in the exchanges, so I was happy to get three (so far) this round - my favourite flowers, "Daisies" from 1kgcoffee, the evocative Edinburgh Fireworks festival from kmg1974 - I'll be in Edinburgh in May and hope to get some nice photos of the castle while I'm there (no fireworks though), and some wonderful blues from iandvaag's "Water Under the Bridge." The birds add a lot to the photo - I like it!

There are a nice number of cards featuring people too - Black Dog's "Seatown #1", Wayne Frederick's "Cumberland Fair", Jon Tryggvason's spooky "Girl on the road", and aluk's "feet and sandals" (as I call it) - not really a person, but I think a statue counts. The OOF people in the background give it some additional visual interest.

I also received a couple cards featuring man-made structures: tezzasmall's "Italian Garden" (love that gate), and Howard Earl's "Uncle Sam Hot Dog Cart."

Finally, a couple of nature shots - a gorgeous mountain peak from bedrof - "View from Passo Rolle" - might have to see if I can find some of that Slavich paper myself! And on the opposite end of the scale, a closeup of grape leaves from mike c. I really like these types of backlit shots, especially in black and white - they almost have an infrared look to them.

Well, I hope I can finish cleaning my darkroom tonight and get some prints done so I can join the next exchange! There's not much time left so I guess I should get going then...

 

[bedrof]

Received some more cards:
"Daisies" from 1kgcoffee - second RA-4 card received at this round, showing a pleasant subject and nice smooth colours.
Jaguar car details by LarsAC - front lamp almost jumps at you from the print. The card itself looks very balanced with just right contrast.
Thanks!