Postcard Exchange Round 46 Comments & Feedback

[Laurent]

Received one of them yesterday.
Card doesn't bear a title on it. Delightful print. Especially I like flowers' details. My wife highly regarded it.

These two cards from the UK and France received so far during the Round 46 make an interesting pair. Great start, I must admit. Can't wait to see others'.

Thanks Ilya, it's a negative I've had in my backlog for years, and am very happy to have printed it.

This week, I received:
BlackDog's Rosslyn #3, nice candid shot around a chapel.
Matt King's "Insulated", lovely composed and shot, with a feeling of time passing in the dust that accumulates. Almost had to hide it from my wife, as she fell in love with this image (and I could have predicted it!)
jvo's "phew..." card. I agree, the TLR was the best choice ;-). Interesting view of a very rae animal, thanks! If you sent the same to the kids, they'll be puzzled!
DrpSilver's "Peasant girl", very "delicate" (not sure about this word in English) view of a tiny statue, with great textures and lighting.
Iandvaag's "Cross country". I love snow images, may be I'm missing snow too much! I like the composition. I agree on your choice, if the snow was too white it would not give the same feeling. In this case, I can feel the winter's mood.
Jon Tryggvaon's "Close to home". Also a snow landscape, arrived the same day as Ian's one. Almost abstract due to the high contrast, and the mountain gets a strong presence.

Thanks to all !

 

[bedrof]

Thanks Ilya, it's a negative I've had in my backlog for years, and am very happy to have printed it.

I really like the tonal range of your print.

Forgot to mention, that most part of my cards left homely grounds during last ten days.
I hope to send the rest of them by the end of the month.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Well, after a month of travel (and a bunch of films to develop) I'm finally back in Japan and had a whole heap of postcards waiting for me when I got home. It's great to get so many all at once! I don't think I received any before I left, but I'll have to check. Here's what I received so far:

Three "people" images - "Peasant Girl" by drpsilver, "Rosslyn #3" by Black Dog, and "Cross Country" by iandvaag. I like the commonality between all three photos, in that they all focus on a single subject who is not looking at the camera - in some sense they present as both solitary and nostalgic.

Two "object" shots of old things - Matt King's "Insulated" - not sure what I'm looking at, but nice toning on the card, I appreciate your explanation about how you went about it! Also Paul's "Rest Room Blues" - love the old sink and window, exactly the type of subject I would want to shoot myself.

Two "landscape" photos - "Close to Home" by Jon Tryggvason - the high contrast really lends itself to highlighting the layers in the mountain, and "phew...had the quiet TLR with me" by JVO - a lucky shot of a dinosaur in its natural landscape.

Finally, a street shot of Granville from Laurent - a nice slice of life with interesting clouds in the sky.

So, having spent time in Greece, Poland, Ukraine, and Italy (in that order) over the past month, I know that I have plenty of images to choose from for this round - I just need to get cracking on developing the film so I can make the prints sooner rather than later.

 

[MattKing]

Two "object" shots of old things - Matt King's "Insulated" - not sure what I'm looking at, but nice toning on the card, I appreciate your explanation about how you went about it!

Think of the old style power lines, and the insulators used on the towers.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Think of the old style power lines, and the insulators used on the towers.

Thanks Matt! I thought they looked like salt and pepper shakers myself, but that didn't make sense based on the location or the title. ;-)

 

[MattKing]

Thanks Matt! I thought they looked like salt and pepper shakers myself, but that didn't make sense based on the location or the title. ;-)

Rachelle,
Then you will no doubt appreciate the fact that before deciding on the title I chose, I was considering "season to taste" .

 

[mooseontheloose]

Rachelle,
Then you will no doubt appreciate the fact that before deciding on the title I chose, I was considering "season to taste" .

 

[drpsilver]

26 Mar 2109

The cards I have received thus far are in no particular order ...
MattKing: "Insulated" Your grandparents must have collected insulators. My Mom used them in the garden in all sorts of ways. The glossy split-toned print is very nice, and fits the subject very well. It sounds like your demonstration went well. How fun to use it as a way to do your cards.
Jon Tryggvason: "Close to Home" I really like this photo. At first I thought it was a lith print, then I noticed tonality. Nicely processed and printed.
Iandvaag: "Cross Country" This image has a story. I wonder what the person sees, or senses, as they proceed across the meadow. The gray snow reinforces the overcast sky.
Black Dog: "Rosslyn #1" I like how you framed Rosslyn in the archway. I also found Edinburgh a very fascination place when visiting in 2007.
Laurent: A simple composition, but very effective. I like how the background is soft, and that enough exposure was given to show detail in the flowers. Nicely done.
Awty: "Bath Room Blues", The stories this building could tell. I like how you framed the tree to contrast with the sink.
Jvo: A close-call with a dinosaur. Glad you survived the encounter.

Thank you to all for some very nice, and varied, photographs. It is always a joy to see other peoples work, and tier view of the world around them.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[MattKing]

MattKing: "Insulated" Your grandparents must have collected insulators. My Mom used them in the garden in all sorts of ways. The glossy split-toned print is very nice, and fits the subject very well. It sounds like your demonstration went well. How fun to use it as a way to do your cards.

Thanks Darwin.
Not my grandparents!
That site is an amazing place. They have sold, and are slowly winding down their operation, but over the years they accumulated millions of different items.

 

[Black Dog]

26 Mar 2109

The cards I have received thus far are in no particular order ...
MattKing: "Insulated" Your grandparents must have collected insulators. My Mom used them in the garden in all sorts of ways. The glossy split-toned print is very nice, and fits the subject very well. It sounds like your demonstration went well. How fun to use it as a way to do your cards.
Jon Tryggvason: "Close to Home" I really like this photo. At first I thought it was a lith print, then I noticed tonality. Nicely processed and printed.
Iandvaag: "Cross Country" This image has a story. I wonder what the person sees, or senses, as they proceed across the meadow. The gray snow reinforces the overcast sky.
Black Dog: "Rosslyn #1" I like how you framed Rosslyn in the archway. I also found Edinburgh a very fascination place when visiting in 2007.
Laurent: A simple composition, but very effective. I like how the background is soft, and that enough exposure was given to show detail in the flowers. Nicely done.
Awty: "Bath Room Blues", The stories this building could tell. I like how you framed the tree to contrast with the sink.
Jvo: A close-call with a dinosaur. Glad you survived the encounter.

Thank you to all for some very nice, and varied, photographs. It is always a joy to see other peoples work, and tier view of the world around them.

Regards,
Darwin

Thanks-it works even better larger, but it works pretty well postcard size as well. Edinburgh is one of my favourite places; perhaps I'll move there!

 

[tezzasmall]

I have just received two postcards for this round.

The first is from Jon Tryggvason in Iceland, which is a contact print of a 4 x 5 negative. The print is very high contrast of a snow covered scene, with most of the picture being of a snowy 'rippled' mountain, if that makes sense?

The second is from JVO, James O'Gara, in the USA. A picture of one of the long necked Brontosaurus dinosaurs peeping though some tall foliage. Reminds me of one of my trips to Disney's Epcot centre. Interestingly, (due to a typo I presume) this website thinks it was still about and happily living only 150 years ago. LOL

https://www.newdinosaurs.com/brontosaurus/

The print itself, despite being made and sent on ordinary photo-paper, which is a bit lighter than Ilford's postcard paper, it has made it through the postal system unscathed.

So, thanks guys for two more additions to my great and expanding collection.

Terry S

 

[iandvaag]

Thanks for the postcards that have come in so far!

Black Dog – Rosslyn #2 – An interesting play of shadows and highlights. Is Rosslyn photographing back at you?

Laurent – I like the different textures in the clouds and the face of the buildings. The thin black borders of this full frame print look classy.

awty – Rest Room Blues – An incredibly detailed print with lots to keep my eyes busy. The lighting is incredible, I can’t believe how well balanced the interior and the exterior exposures are. Did you use a flash?

drpsilver – Peasant Girl – Good composition and framing. I wonder what she’s looking at. The contrast grade is perfect for this print.

 

[Black Dog]

Thanks for the postcards that have come in so far!

Black Dog – Rosslyn #2 – An interesting play of shadows and highlights. Is Rosslyn photographing back at you?

Laurent – I like the different textures in the clouds and the face of the buildings. The thin black borders of this full frame print look classy.

awty – Rest Room Blues – An incredibly detailed print with lots to keep my eyes busy. The lighting is incredible, I can’t believe how well balanced the interior and the exterior exposures are. Did you use a flash?

drpsilver – Peasant Girl – Good composition and framing. I wonder what she’s looking at. The contrast grade is perfect for this print.

I've always like the Surrealists (a big influence on Paul Nash, one of my favourite painters), so quite possibly...I have another picture, which will go out in a future exchange, which you should find interesting. I really enjoyed the surreal qualities of Jvo's dinosaur shot: you're not sure whether it's real or not and nicely framed by the surrounding branches too. Awty's restroom blues is in a more contemplative vein, reminiscent of pictures like 'Windowsill Daydreaming' by Minor White. Very pleased with the printing of the snow in ianandvaag's skier picture...an enigmatic image.

 

[Howard Earl]

Started out a very busy year. I have only yesterday April 4th posted my postcards.

 

[Howard Earl]

Received many wonderful postcards:

Ian’s cross country, beautiful moment

Rachelles “Grief”, I really love your photo and paper choice

Rob’s camels look like there from another time.

Matt King “Insulated” Beautiful close-up. Nicely toned.

Ilya’s fortress ruins made me look up where Montenegro was.

James Dino makes me smile each time I view it.

Laurent, thank you for the “Backstage” view.

Black Dog makes me strive to pay more attention to architecture and line play.

Thank You all.

Howard Earl Simmons

 

[Black Dog]

26 Mar 2109

The cards I have received thus far are in no particular order ...
MattKing: "Insulated" Your grandparents must have collected insulators. My Mom used them in the garden in all sorts of ways. The glossy split-toned print is very nice, and fits the subject very well. It sounds like your demonstration went well. How fun to use it as a way to do your cards.
Jon Tryggvason: "Close to Home" I really like this photo. At first I thought it was a lith print, then I noticed tonality. Nicely processed and printed.
Iandvaag: "Cross Country" This image has a story. I wonder what the person sees, or senses, as they proceed across the meadow. The gray snow reinforces the overcast sky.
Black Dog: "Rosslyn #1" I like how you framed Rosslyn in the archway. I also found Edinburgh a very fascination place when visiting in 2007.
Laurent: A simple composition, but very effective. I like how the background is soft, and that enough exposure was given to show detail in the flowers. Nicely done.
Awty: "Bath Room Blues", The stories this building could tell. I like how you framed the tree to contrast with the sink.
Jvo: A close-call with a dinosaur. Glad you survived the encounter.

Thank you to all for some very nice, and varied, photographs. It is always a joy to see other peoples work, and tier view of the world around them.

Regards,
Darwin

Thanks, I walked round the building a couple of times considering various possibilities-I'm going back soon to take advantage of the fresh Spring leaves. A couple more cards just arrived:
Jon Tryggvason's spare, graphic Icelandic landscape which really makes you look at the little details (winter is here...) and Gijsbert's Buddha .A very contemplative image and interesting to see how buildings are transformed from one kind of usage into another.

 

[jvo]

4 more rec'd this past week! from...

jake williams - after the walk - they do seem to be having a quiet moment - and something caught their interest!
ian andvaag - cross country - from here in the south it does look cold!!! effective tone.
jon trygguason - close to home - i like the contrast, the horse gives a nice scale.
matt king - insulated - grandma and grandpa had a nice collection, and the tone makes it really "dusty" as well!

tezzasmall, thanks for the insight re. paper... i used to use ilford postcard, but had a 250 sheet box of 5x7 kentmere that seemed pretty sturdy. As a result of the postcard exchange, i've taken to printing cards. based upon comments from friends i've always felt they gotten through world mails... i'll have to run a test to see if there is, in fact, a failure rate! counter intuitively, i feel like when they get "beaten up" in the mails, its part of the charm, just as long as they arrive!

i've rec'd 8 cards thus far, and will be leaving mid-week, and gone for 2 weeks, so will respond when i return.

thanks all.

 

[Black Dog]

Received many wonderful postcards:

Ian’s cross country, beautiful moment

Rachelles “Grief”, I really love your photo and paper choice

Rob’s camels look like there from another time.

Matt King “Insulated” Beautiful close-up. Nicely toned.

Ilya’s fortress ruins made me look up where Montenegro was.

James Dino makes me smile each time I view it.

Laurent, thank you for the “Backstage” view.

Black Dog makes me strive to pay more attention to architecture and line play.

Thank You all.

Howard Earl Simmons

Thanks for your card Howard, which arrived yesterday-you could have photographed that guy any time in the last 100 years; perhaps it could do with a grade more contrast to bring out the light quality a bit more, but good effort all the same.

 

[Howard Earl]

Thanks for your card Howard, which arrived yesterday-you could have photographed that guy any time in the last 100 years; perhaps it could do with a grade more contrast to bring out the light quality a bit more, but good effort all the same.

Black Dog,

Thank you for the comments. Always like to hear what others think of my work. Always striving to make better work.

 

[bedrof]

Received many wonderful postcards:

Ian’s cross country, beautiful moment

Rachelles “Grief”, I really love your photo and paper choice

Rob’s camels look like there from another time.

Matt King “Insulated” Beautiful close-up. Nicely toned.

Ilya’s fortress ruins made me look up where Montenegro was.

James Dino makes me smile each time I view it.

Laurent, thank you for the “Backstage” view.

Black Dog makes me strive to pay more attention to architecture and line play.

Thank You all.

Howard Earl Simmons

Howard, glad you received a card from me, but that one was for a round # 45 of postcard exchange.
The one for round # 46 is on the way.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Received many wonderful postcards:
Rachelles “Grief”, I really love your photo and paper choice

Howard, glad you received a card from me, but that one was for a round # 45 of postcard exchange.
The one for round # 46 is on the way.

Mine too - it was from round 45, I'm currently trying to figure out what to print for #46.

 

[gijsbert]

My cards went out early last week, hopefully they'll arrive soon.

Received so far:
Harlem Portrait by Howard, nice portrait, interesting lack of contrast between the coat and background
Phew ... had the quiet tlr with me!!! by jvo, great image - title
Close to home by Jon, what contrast, almost abstract, lovely, only just now noticed the tiny horse
Rosslyn #2 by Black Dog, nice image, subtle colours, makes me curious of what's inside
Rest Room Blues by Paul, love the interaction between the rectangular inside and organic outside but subtle tone contrast
Granville by Laurent, classic french village scenery to me, keep on thinking it's a vintage card
Insulated by Matt, excellent tone, wonder which one I have, I'm thinking selenium but I didn't think selenium change mgiv rc paper much, so perhaps brown tone, anyway, it feels very 'rich', I should try it
Cross Country by Ian, intriguing winter landscape with seemingly out of place skier and big fir tree, and now I'm curious how it would look with white snow!
Peasant Girl by drpsilver, cute 'portrait', great tonality and smooth rendering, I'm guessing it's a tiny statue but I've put it far enough from my desk so it seems like a real person

Thanks all, looking forward to the rest!

 

[Black Dog]

My cards went out early last week, hopefully they'll arrive soon.

Received so far:
Harlem Portrait by Howard, nice portrait, interesting lack of contrast between the coat and background
Phew ... had the quiet tlr with me!!! by jvo, great image - title
Close to home by Jon, what contrast, almost abstract, lovely, only just now noticed the tiny horse
Rosslyn #2 by Black Dog, nice image, subtle colours, makes me curious of what's inside
Rest Room Blues by Paul, love the interaction between the rectangular inside and organic outside but subtle tone contrast
Granville by Laurent, classic french village scenery to me, keep on thinking it's a vintage card
Insulated by Matt, excellent tone, wonder which one I have, I'm thinking selenium but I didn't think selenium change mgiv rc paper much, so perhaps brown tone, anyway, it feels very 'rich', I should try it
Cross Country by Ian, intriguing winter landscape with seemingly out of place skier and big fir tree, and now I'm curious how it would look with white snow!
Peasant Girl by drpsilver, cute 'portrait', great tonality and smooth rendering, I'm guessing it's a tiny statue but I've put it far enough from my desk so it seems like a real person

Thanks all, looking forward to the rest!

Thanks; I did some black & whites on my Rolleicord on my next visit, which also coincided with one of the hottest days of the year AND England playing Sweden in the football world cup.

 

[bedrof]

Oh, finally I have sent all the remaining cards this week (three or four only). Some of the cards were rejected after final inspection, so I printed few more cards. Totally sent 17 pieces for this round.

Please, do not look too keen if you receive "From under the bridge" card. That is my very first effort in spotting prints

I also received some more beautiful cards since I last commented here. Hope to write few words upon them soon.

 

[Black Dog]

Oh, finally I have sent all the remaining cards this week (three or four only). Some of the cards were rejected after final inspection, so I printed few more cards. Totally sent 17 pieces for this round.

Please, do not look too keen if you receive "From under the bridge" card. That is my very first effort in spotting prints

I also received some more beautiful cards since I last commented here. Hope to write few words upon them soon.

Thanks for your 'Mustangs On a Parade' Bedrof, nice paper and printing; maybe might be worth experimenting with darker/contrastier versions (see Ray K Metzker's Chicago images for example).