Postcard Exchange Round 50 Comments and Feedback

[BSP]

17 Jul 2020

Was this part of an All Hollow's Eve celebration?

Regards,
Darwin

Sort of, this shot was taken at last year's Castefest fantasy festival in Lisse, The Netherlands where I was the only analog shooter amidst of hundreds of digital pilots.

 

[rst]

@rst 's unique take on postcard creation reached me today. 5x4 pinhole huh? Nice one Ruediger, I like it.
A well chosen scene within the theme and the scanning and printing did not detract from the capture medium.
Nice choice of paper too, what is it?

Thanks for the kind words Bill. The paper is an Arches Platine. It is a watercolor paper specifically designed for alternative processes like Pt/Pd, Kallitype, Van Dyke or like here Cyanotype. But there is no scanning involved as it is a contact print from the negative - 40 minute exposure in my UV light box. Classic cyanotype is slow ... but fun.

And what I sent is not finished, it is just a starter, if you do not like the blue but have some washing soda and some black or green tea .... tone it and change it to your liking.

Cheers
Ruediger

 

[Lucid]

@rst - Your wonderful cyanotype made it's way to my door today! I'm really digging the symmetry and perspective in this image. The print has a great feel to it, and I'm really impressed by the range of tones which were achieved in the final product. The clouds and sky are particularly enjoyable, and the fibre of the paper really lends itself here. I really must take the plunge and start making some cyanotypes of my own, and I hope they'll eventually be as good as yours!

@MattiS - Your print arrived in tandem with Ruediger's print. What an imposing subject! The detail and texture which are preserved in the whites are great. The perspective gives the impression that the figures are looking over an endless landscape. The is the first print I've ever held in person which was made with the Intrepid Englarger Kit, and by the looks of it, the kit certainly can give more standard enlargers a run for their money. Many thanks for sending a card my way.

 

[BSP]

But there is no scanning involved as it is a contact print from the negative - 40 minute exposure in my UV light box. Classic cyanotype is slow ... but fun.

And what I sent is not finished, it is just a starter, if you do not like the blue but have some washing soda and some black or green tea .... tone it and change it to your liking.

Cheers
Ruediger

Oops, my bad...I foolishly assumed that not having access to a darkroom automatically meant a hybrid-workflow with scanning involved.
Sorry about that and thanks for informing me. The cyanotype process is entirely alien to me. What a great way to start learning about it this is!

I like the blue so I will not risk messing up this fine piece of work any time soon.

Cheers!
Bill

 

[BSP]

@MattiS

@MattiS - Your print arrived in tandem with Ruediger's print. What an imposing subject! The detail and texture which are preserved in the whites are great. The perspective gives the impression that the figures are looking over an endless landscape. The is the first print I've ever held in person which was made with the Intrepid Englarger Kit, and by the looks of it, the kit certainly can give more standard enlargers a run for their money. Many thanks for sending a card my way.[/QUOTE]

+1 what he said

It's like @Lucid read my mind

This round is producing some really good work and I feel very fortunate to be part of it.
Thanks @MattiS and the rest of you out there. Stay safe and keep printing!

Bill

 

[rst]

Oops, my bad...I foolishly assumed that not having access to a darkroom automatically meant a hybrid-workflow with scanning involved.
Sorry about that and thanks for informing me. The cyanotype process is entirely alien to me. What a great way to start learning about it this is!

I like the blue so I will not risk messing up this fine piece of work any time soon.

Cheers!
Bill

Yeah, as with most of the alternative processes a darkroom is not needed, but a dim-room will do. In case of cyanotype it is even a no-direct-sunlight-room will do. Printing for my own I would have gone the digital negative route, just because it gives me better or easier control over the tonal range. And the exposure times are faster by a stop - which does not sound much, but only 20 minutes instead of 40 minutes is kind of a long stop

But this is the APUG Postcard exchange, so I thought digital negatives might not receive acceptance by some participants.

And thanks again for your kind words and also thanks to @Lucid I am glad you like my card.

Cheers
Rüdiger

 

[hkbenji]

It is such a joy to receive these beautiful postcards! So far I have received:

@mfohl - First one to arrive. Great puzzle until reading the description. Absolutely love it, especially how the sun is rendered.
@BSP - Looks like a fun day out! Nice medium format 'look' as well.
@Black Dog - Loving the composition, mood and subdued colour. Thanks for the helpful "Top" marking!
@Luis-F-S - What a great print and tones. Fantastic.
@madhatter - Solid, heavy paper for a solid, heavy, high-contrast door! Good stuff.
@vedostuu - I think that's the first Caffenol print I've seen. Excellent, really great.

 

[bedrof]

I enjoyed emptying the mailbox yesterday. Found there a stack of cards for rounds 49 and 50 mixed.
Surely will write more soon.

 

[hkbenji]

Another day, another postcard -

@drpsilver - Great contrast, tone and details. Especially impressive considering it's 35mm! Very nice indeed.

 

[RSImages]

I had a very interesting postcard from @MattiS today. I had to look up more information on the Men by the Sea. Maybe someday I'll visit and see it in person.

 

[mfohl]

I received rst's excellent 4x5 pinole cyanotype yesterday. A basketball net on a playground. Yes, Ruediger, I like it very much. I like the detail in the sky at the top. Thanks!

 

[BSP]

My postcard Wednesday was powered by @jvo 's imagery of some most needed arboreal spirits.

Nice one. Thanks!

Bill

 

[tezzasmall]

My postcard Wednesday was powered by @jvo 's imagery of some most needed arboreal spirits.

Nice one. Thanks!

Bill

I too have now received the same card.

I do like a bit of shooting into the light / sun, type of picture.

Many thanks,

Terry S

 

[Lucid]

@Nige - Many thanks for sending such a nice lith print my way! This really is turning out to be an exchange of firsts for me. I like the composition of this image, and it appears that all the various elements of the location were able to be captured in a single frame. The lith print works well with this image, and makes each object appear more dramatic. Great notes on the back too!

@jvo - I received your print not long after Nige's. The notes on the back of your card instantly reminded me of the song I Talk With The Spirits, by the Roland Kirk Quartet. I like the texture of the bark, as well as the control over the sun. The stamp on the back made me chuckle to. A proper tree shaman! Thanks for sending a card my way.

 

[BSP]

Dear @Nige ,

Thanks for your most wonderfully crafted postcard. It is truly a masterpiece and makes me want to break out my 28mm, which I don't do enough. I love the subject matter, composition, development, printing and resulting tone and contrast. All wonderfull. I might frame this one and hang it on my wall.

Stay safe, stay creative!

Bill

 

[mfohl]

I received MattiS's very interesting postcard from Denmark. The new Moai? Thanks Matti!

 

[Nige]

Thanks guys,thrilled you enjoyed the card, and that it got there! It's been a month since I posted them!

On the other hand, I'm yet to see any cards as I haven't been into the office since April. I'm hoping our mail room don't get too attached to them

 

[nostalgix]

Thank you all for the positive feedback on my first postcard. Some more details on the subject: I found that door on the backside of a gas station. I shot it on an expired Fomapan 100 with my Nikon F2 and the 105mm/f2.8 Micro-Nikkor. No tripod used but shot free hand. Weather was awesome, so there was enough light available.

 

[Oxleyroad]

Small pile of 5 cards I need to acknowledge. Total in now is 9. vedostuu - Classic Car. The boarder draws me in to the detail of the reflections in the paintwork. jvo - Leaves. Yes I agree so spiritual. rst - A Cyanotype. Thanks, I really look forward to seeing these alt process postards. My card arrived in perfect condition. Lucid - "Under Construction". I hope I got the name right on this one. Great tonal range on this contact print. BSP - Skelleton. My 12yo daughter who is fanatical about Halloween just loved this one. Thanks to everyone for your cards.

 

[Lucid]

@Howard Earl - Your postcard snuck it's way through my letterbox at little earlier today. I love the creamy sharpness of this contact print. The image has a great flow and balance, and the flowers in the centre have a luminous glow about them. The venation pattern of the leaves in the middle ground is really nice, and their edge highlights give the illusion that they're popping out the print. Many thanks for taking the time to print and send my way!

@Oxleyroad - Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad to hear that my cards are starting to trickle through the USPS. Hopefully they'll reach everyone else stateside soon.

 

[cramej]

Finally got the second half of my postcards in the mail today. Thank you to those who have sent me one. It's always a nice surprise to get one in the mail!

 

[Oxleyroad]

Found two more cards in the house, not sure when they arrived. Now 11 in total. Howard Earl - Bleeding Heart Plant. I would love to see this enlarged due to the detail that I see even in this postcard. MattiS - Mennesket ved Havet. Looks like an interesting landmark well worth a visit.

Thanks for the cards.

 

[iandvaag]

I haven't been keeping up; my apologies. My cards went out yesterday, and I'll have some comments to post here within a week or so.

 

[BSP]

I haven't been keeping up; my apologies. My cards went out yesterday, and I'll have some comments to post here within a week or so.

It is good to hear you are still with us here.
I hope you are doing well and good luck on the catchup.

Bill

 

[mooseontheloose]

I'm also checking in (long overdue). I have a wonderful stack of cards that I will comment on soon. I'm in the last week of classes (and grading) here in Japan, so I will finally have some time to get into the darkroom next week when everything is finished.