Postcard Exchange Round 48 Comments and Feedback

[drpsilver]

12 Nov 2019

Last week I received two more cards. The card from iandvaag of the grain elevator nicely composed. I like how the clouds frame, and contrast, the building. I do not find the converging lines to be very distracting. The composition stands by itself. The other card is from MattKing. A nice image of a tree toned light brown which fits the image nicely.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[Black Dog]

Matt's card was excellent-it reminded me of Albrecht Durer's etchings, such as 'Large Tuft of Herbs'.

 

[MattKing]

Thanks!

 

[Ariston]

I just received "Ficus" from vedostuu. It is a wonderfully balanced image, and shot on one of my favorite cameras - the RB67. It looks like it was photographed on a live plant, but the background is completely removed somehow, which is impressive. Thanks vedostuu!

 

[BSP]

Hail PCX-48'ers !

Maybe the greatest thing of traveling is returning back home and finding some of these great homemade postcards commanding your attention and appreciation. This is feedback on the five postcards that found their way to my doormat over the last few weeks.

MattKing sent me a lovely toned, strong composition "Upwards" of an old tree in a park near Vancouver. This inspires me to seek out the old trees in my neighbourhood and photograph them before they are gone. Thanks Matt!

Ariston's scene of a "Camp Meeting" evokes a feeling of an old town somewhere in the West of the US. My mind added a bunch of cowboys on their horses and the local sherrif keeping the peace. Your postcard picked up some substantial "patina" during its journey from Cumming, GA to Vlissingen, Netherlands which adds to the nostalgia. Thank you Ariston!

mfohl documented a humorous, artful grafitti of "Three Doggies" on a wooden fence. Every time I look at it, a smile finds its way to my face. Technically a great capture and subsequent print. Thank you Mark.

iandvaag captured, printed and sent me a postcard with a square composition of the "Aberdeen Elevator". Oh, how I like the square format. I would not have considered this image for the 3x2 postcard format, but I am so glad you did. The lighting of the building and positioning of the cloud are both brilliant. You did Victor Hasselblad proud with this one. Thanks Ian.

dodphotography's choice of using a portion of a 8x10 contact print for a postcard really intriques me. Traveling to Paris, France with a 8x10-camera, selecting his subject (whatever it actually is - ohhh...the mystery) to photograph and sending me only a slice of it. Top marks for creative use of the medium. The technically competent execution ensures there is no room for distraction from the mystery. Nice one Daniel!

I hope I selected fitting postcards from my small ready-pile in response to this work and will be sending them out today. Now I have to get back into my darkroom and print some equally impressive work. Game on!

Bill
(Bill Stegers Photography - BSP)
Vlissingen, The Netherlands

 

[mfohl]

I just received Howard Earl's "Waterfall, Bull's Bridge" today. Nice! Very nice falls in Connecticut. Question: did you contact print that 4x5 negative on to the postcard? That's nice!

-- Mark

 

[mike c]

I also received Howard's card Waterfall Bulls Bridge, looks like a nice place to visit with a fishing rod.

 

[BSP]

Another day, another postcard. This time from @bedrof all the way from Moscow. Thank you Ilya!
Your use of a red filter really makes this scene pop in print. The old building stands out so much better this way against the dark and deep surrounding shadows. Nice one!

The mentioned film (type D A125) and paper (Slavich FB) are unknown to me and make the piece even more exotic.

Did I already say I was enjoying this postcard exchange?
Well I am and have just posted one in reply to @bedrof and I hope it reaches him soon.

Regards,

Bill - BSP

 

[BSP]

Question: did you contact print that 4x5 negative on to the postcard? That's nice!

The same question popped into my mind as I picked up my copy from the doormat this morning. What a great way to create a postcard! Nice one @Howard Earl, I just investigated the Intrepid 5x4 camera and it looks very nice and affordable. I fear that it would take a long time to learn how to use it so effectively as you did to craft this image....

My card to you is on its way....should reach you within a few weeks.

Greetings,

Bill - BSP

 

[jvo]

i returned 2 days ago to find many cards - i've been in and out for the past 3 weeks, and will be late with getting my cards out this round. i will do so in the next couple of weeks, please excuse the delay. meanwhile, i rec'd wonderful cards from....

mfohl, eiffel in the city, a different view with great lines and impact, well-printed
drpsilver, fibonnaci cactus, most aptly named, and well photgraphed and printed with nice detail and graphics.
black dog, the "guards" are indeed ominious,
howard earl, waterfall bulls bridge, looks like a great place to spend a peaceful afternoon- well done
matt king, great old tree... - well-composed with a stately, respectful mood
vedostuu, ficus - excellent composition and effective lighting, wonderful to look at.
iandvaag, aberdeen elevator - powerful mood, layers and exposure - very effective
ariston, white swing - great perspective and light, i like the lines.
dodphotography, le marais, bery ominous mood-threatening!

thank you, for each the the thoughtful and excellent pieces of work!

jvo

 

[MattKing]

I now have in hand a card from Black Dog - "Parasols".
It is always nice to see a card in colour. I can't decide though whether I agree they appear sinister - I think they appear to be asleep and looking forward to waking!
In any event, I like the card!

 

[BSP]

Another one finds its way to my doormat....

...and now for something completely different: "Emma's Wedding #2" by @Black Dog

An exquisite print of a wonderful capture of a great moment of the happiest day of a beautiful woman...

Nice work Jake! My postcard to you is on its way.

Regards,

Bill
Vlissingen - The Netherlands

 

[Black Dog]

I also received Howard's card Waterfall Bulls Bridge, looks like a nice place to visit with a fishing rod.

+1 on that, has a 19th century look and feel to it.
Matt-of course pictures read differently depending on the viewer...I'm a big fan of artists like De Chirico, Magritte etc, so that in turn influences how I select and respond to subject matter. This picture is part of a larger project on WW1 and I hope to show more images from it in future rounds.
Bill-thanks for your comments; my cousin will definitely appreciate them! One of my earlier candid images; I'm now doing a lot of street photography, some in colour and some in monochrome.

Some of the art I've been looking at recently, which relates to the current project I mentioned:

 

[mfohl]

I just received BSP's Conclusian. It's a bit of graffiti, spoken by a (probably) wise doggie. In Berlin, although the language is English. Thanks!

 

[Howard Earl]

The same question popped into my mind as I picked up my copy from the doormat this morning. What a great way to create a postcard! Nice one @Howard Earl, I just investigated the Intrepid 5x4 camera and it looks very nice and affordable. I fear that it would take a long time to learn how to use it so effectively as you did to craft this image....

My card to you is on its way....should reach you within a few weeks.

Greetings,

Bill - BSP

Sorry for the long delay in answering. I was out of the country. I enjoy the Intrepid 4X5 IMMENSELY!!!! And i am using the Intrepid MKII. The models III and IV have provided updates that make using the camera easier and better. I enjoy photography greatly but not at the expense of weight. As I get older I feel i want to carry less weight.
If you are familiar with 4X5 I don't think there will be a substantial learning curve. But again I think like myself most large format photographers own more than one camera. I also have a Horseman 4x5 monorail that sits on a tripod awaiting my attention. But if it doesn't loose weight I'm not sure it will make any pictures for a while. I will soon be upgrading to the Intrepid MKIV. Only good thing ahead. Ive owned many cameras in my lifetime and I do have more fun with this one than any others.

 

[Howard Earl]

I just received Howard Earl's "Waterfall, Bull's Bridge" today. Nice! Very nice falls in Connecticut. Question: did you contact print that 4x5 negative on to the postcard? That's nice!

-- Mark

Yes,
4X5 contact print.

 

[Howard Earl]

Just returned from vacation.

Darwin's Fibonacci Cactus: my wife wants a print!!!!!!
Jouni Ficus thank you for spring reminder 24hrs before the snow invades my neighborhood.
mfohl rue st. Martin. Paris looks so beautiful and also historical.
Daniel Duarte Paris street scene, very nice.
Matt King Upwards, looks like an old growth tree. Thank You for sharing.
Ian, Aberdeen Elevator, the building looks beautiful against the puffy clouds. Nice technique. Hassy sharp.
BSP Subway scene Berlin, hope that gentleman doesn't get too close to the trains as they enter the station. Thanks for sharing.

 

[drpsilver]

30 Nov 2019

Yesterday three cards landed in my mailbox. The first is from Howard Earl of the "Waterfall Bulls Bridge". Nicely composed showing river convergence and motion, and sharp as a tack. Well done.
The second is from bedrof. The increased contrast in the stone walls give the impression of baking hot sun reflecting off very rough walls. You succeeded in your mission to convey a hot day in Cyprus.
The third card is from Black Dog. I really like the informality of this photo. It looks slightly brown/sepia toned which adds softness to the image. Nice composition. Emma look very happy.
To all thank you for sharing your work with me.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[Black Dog]

30 Nov 2019

Yesterday three cards landed in my mailbox. The first is from Howard Earl of the "Waterfall Bulls Bridge". Nicely composed showing river convergence and motion, and sharp as a tack. Well done.
The second is from bedrof. The increased contrast in the stone walls give the impression of baking hot sun reflecting off very rough walls. You succeeded in your mission to convey a hot day in Cyprus.
The third card is from Black Dog. I really like the informality of this photo. It looks slightly brown/sepia toned which adds softness to the image. Nice composition. Emma look very happy.
To all thank you for sharing your work with me.

Regards,
Darwin

Thanks-it was printed on Forte Museum, which was always a very warm paper anyway and then Selenium toned. Sadly no longer available, but Foma make some very promising substitutes, also I still have some Kentmere Kentona, not to mention an unopened box of Kodak Bromesko!

 

[MattKing]

Two more cards have arrived here now:
BSP - "Sidewards" - I do like seascapes with interesting skies, and this unconventional framing provides an excellent example.
Howard Earl - "Waterfall Bulls Bridge" - a very nice river and falls scene with a perfect choice for the shutter speed. The (contact) print is very nice as well.

 

[BSP]

Today I received @gijsbert 's wonderful picture of a wonderful tree. You certainly did this old tree justice with this one. Thank you!

This motivated me so much that I sent-out postcards to you, @gijsbert and also

@darinwc
@dodphotography
@jvo
@mike c
@mooseontheloose
@Rowreidr
@tezzasmall
@Wayne Frederick

I hope you all receive them soon and in good health.

Kind regards,

Bill

 

[radiant]

vedostuu, ficus - excellent composition and effective lighting, wonderful to look at.

Thank you. I am truly glad if even one person get positive feelings of it.

I just received "Ficus" from vedostuu. It is a wonderfully balanced image, and shot on one of my favorite cameras - the RB67. It looks like it was photographed on a live plant, but the background is completely removed somehow, which is impressive. Thanks vedostuu!

Wow, so nice words. The background was removed on purpose Or should I say, added?

Jouni Ficus thank you for spring reminder 24hrs before the snow invades my neighborhood.

Nice timing then

I also received "Aberdeen Elevator" from Ian. I have never seen a 4x5 print before and wow that is sharp. Also I like the classic subject, works well.

 

[Ariston]

I received "Sea Line" today from BSP. What a beautiful photo of your home town! Such a great vantage point, outstanding composition, and outstanding print - the sky and foreground both have such detail.

Thank you so much - really beautiful!

 

[BSP]

I received "Sea Line" today from BSP. What a beautiful photo of your home town! Such a great vantage point, outstanding composition, and outstanding print - the sky and foreground both have such detail.

Thank you so much - really beautiful!

Thanks man! I really appreciate it. So glad you enjoy it.

Bill

 

[dodphotography]

Many thoughts on the card received thus far. I’ll add notes to this thread later but wanted to quickly thank everyone for their participation. This was my first time doing anything like this, in fact I had no idea a thread even existed so I have missed anyone directing questions toward me. I must not read directions well because I included my real name and not photrio username!