Postcard Exchange Round 53 Comments and Feedback

[MattKing]

I too have now received Rachel's - correction: Rachelle's - (mooseontheloose) card and photos.
My immediate response was to exclaim "oh, neat".
Which kind of sums it up.
I wonder though if that is a kind of Canadian response, of a certain era?

 

[tezzasmall]

And I am another recipient of Rachelle's card and two Instax prints. I love them so much, having not seen any in the hand before, only on screen, that I'm sorely tempted to get one or something similar for myself, as you've done a good bit of advertising.

It must have taken you a lot of time to write all of the different cards by hand Rachelle, so many thanks both for the prints and the write ups!

But it looks and sounds like you had a good time and the two prints are much appreciated.

I just hope you took another camera to take some pictures for yourself, as well as taking all these lovely prints for everyone else?

I too sent out my postcards by envelope this round and it'll be interesting to see if more arrive than the usual couple only.

Terry S

 

[mooseontheloose]

I got your card, also, @mooseontheloose - with the little map of Lake Biwa and Fukui and the Instax pics of Tojinbo Cliffs. The write-up is very much appreciated. I'd like to go to Japan some time - but I doubt it will ever happen.
I think the pictures taped to the card in an envelope is a perfect way to send them. I considered putting my postcards in envelopes, since I trust envelopes more, but I think they all reached their destinations.

I too have now received Rachel's - correction: Rachelle's - (mooseontheloose) card and photos.
My immediate response was to exclaim "oh, neat".
Which kind of sums it up.
I wonder though if that is a kind of Canadian response, of a certain era?

And I am another recipient of Rachelle's card and two Instax prints. I love them so much, having not seen any in the hand before, only on screen, that I'm sorely tempted to get one or something similar for myself, as you've done a good bit of advertising.

It must have taken you a lot of time to write all of the different cards by hand Rachelle, so many thanks both for the prints and the write ups!

But it looks and sounds like you had a good time and the two prints are much appreciated.

I just hope you took another camera to take some pictures for yourself, as well as taking all these lovely prints for everyone else?

I too sent out my postcards by envelope this round and it'll be interesting to see if more arrive than the usual couple only.

Terry S

Thanks @Don Heisz @MattKing and @tezzasmall! Matt, I'm not sure if "neat" is of a certain era or not, but I certainly get your meaning!

As for the Instax shots and the handwritten cards and maps, I chose to go this route partly because I knew I was unlikely to get into the darkroom during the summer and it would be a good excuse for me to use my Instax more, as it's often left at home on photo excursions. It's also an extension of the travel journalling I've been doing over the past 2 years. I find that making my own handwritten maps allows for much better recall of where I am or plan to go, and it works well with the instant, low-quality nature of the prints.

I did two major trips (within Japan) over the summer and tried my best to take Instax photos throughout, often in double or triplicate, since the first exposure often needed some adjustments and I knew I would need extras for this exchange. However, with 15 people on my list it meant that no two people will get the same double-sided card. Some locations will be repeated, but the images are not. I tried to keep the pairs of images somewhat related, usually by location, so they both fit within the local map I produced. I had the idea for the maps since the areas that I visited are not well-known outside of Japan, and even within Japan are among the least-touristed. Once a few more people get their cards I'll post an image of all the cards together.

 

[hkbenji]

What a treat - two more envelopes arrived!

@tezzasmall - Thanks for the two lovely panoramic prints and nice write-up. I especially enjoy the beach huts. The print looks like an example on how to do the zone system . I also enjoy panoramic prints, but find them quite hard to do well. Big fan of Koudelka.

@mooseontheloose - Thanks for your comment and your beautiful submission. A great handwritten card on Japanese paper with two Instax prints, taken at Honpukuji Water Temple - what a nice surprise. I looked up the temple; very interesting. Surprisingly modern. I miss going to Japan - hope the government will allow visitors again soon..! Love the photographs - thank you.

 

[tezzasmall]

What a treat - two more envelopes arrived!

@tezzasmall - Thanks for the two lovely panoramic prints and nice write-up. I especially enjoy the beach huts. The print looks like an example on how to do the zone system . I also enjoy panoramic prints, but find them quite hard to do well. Big fan of Koudelka.

Thanks for the feedback and it's always great, just to hear that they've arrived at their destination OK!

And thanks also for putting me onto Koudelka, another photographer that I hadn't heard of, who enjoys taking panoramic pictures as well.

Terry S

 

[mooseontheloose]

What a treat - two more envelopes arrived!
@mooseontheloose - Thanks for your comment and your beautiful submission. A great handwritten card on Japanese paper with two Instax prints, taken at Honpukuji Water Temple - what a nice surprise. I looked up the temple; very interesting. Surprisingly modern. I miss going to Japan - hope the government will allow visitors again soon..! Love the photographs - thank you.

Thanks @hkbenji! As Terry has mentioned, it's always good to know that the print has arrived. It's surprising (or not, really) that there so many unique and interesting places to visit around Japan. I wouldn't go out of my way to visit that temple, but once I knew I was visiting the island it definitely was on my to-visit list. It was really interesting, but also much smaller than I expected.

 

[mike c]

I'm a little late in responding to mooseontheloose'es (there's two of you!!) card, very busy of late but will have to say what a great concept, map, multitude of photo's and a great letter as well. Thats a lot of work and I do appreciate it, Thanks Moose.

 

[mooseontheloose]

I'm a little late in responding to mooseontheloose'es (there's two of you!!) card, very busy of late but will have to say what a great concept, map, multitude of photo's and a great letter as well. Thats a lot of work and I do appreciate it, Thanks Moose.

Thanks Mike!

Also, I also received bedrof's "Horses" lith print. I love lith and had thought about doing prints that way for this round, but ended up going in a different direction. So glad to have received a lith print instead! I don't think I've used the Bromoportrait before, but I like the subtle colours it produces. The image also reminds me of some of the farms from around home, and how bleak the fields are before things get planted and/or start growing again. Thanks!

 

[drpsilver]

20 Oct 2021

Finally a time to comment on the cards I have received in the last month.
From MattiS a nice photo of a lighthouse done on a paper negative. It is well done and not as soft focus: as I would think.
From gijsbert a photo of a classic car (and when automobiles were built with metal, not plastic). The matt surface of the paper softens the contrasts in the image.
The card from mooseontheloose is unique, and one of my favorites since Round #12 of this exchange (my first round). It is not only a photo card, but also a work of art. I like the hand drawn map, the hand stamped place name, the vibrant Instax photos, and interesting text. Thank you for another look into your adventures while in Japan. Rachelle, you have truly taken advantage of your stay in Japan.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[gijsbert]

I also received a card from mooseontheloose, very nice combo of hand drawn map on some nice paper and 2 instax photos - never seen one, cool, seems like 645 size.
And a while ago:
- lighthouse from MattiS with dramatic 'sky', I've put it far enough from my desk so it looks like a real lighthouse!
- brooklyn canal from Howard, amazing reflections, must have been a quiet day!
- Crimean pines from bedrof, nice lith print of a woodland scene, lovely image tone, I wish Bromportrait was available here!
Thanks all!

 

[mfohl]

I received a marvelous card from bedrof, Shovels. Aerial film developed in pyrocat, lith printed on Slavich paper. And my kind of shot: a found photo with lots of character. Thanks Ilya!

 

[bedrof]

@Howard Earl - Gowains Canal, Brooklyn, NY
Very nice cityscape from the Big Apple. Ah, these contact prints of LF negatives with smooth tones and crisp fine details make me wish to plunge into this world (as a matter of fact I'm into it already in a sense, but let's wait for round 54). Is it a previous generation of Portfolio paper? Back printing is different from the MG IV stock that I got.
@MattKing - Winter continues
I really like tone separation and overall contrast . Toning is very nice too. This card though printed on a single weight RC paper endured the travel around half the globe surprisingly well. I've never succeded at this kind of scene, but what I see is a great implementation of the subject.
@mfohl - Bike racks
A 6x9 pinhole card from Columbus , Ohio. It's always interesting to see what Mark got for WPPD. Nice use of those patterns!
@gijsbert - Cool car
Now and again when I look at this card I'm left speechless. This card even pushed me to get more of the MG printing (which I mostly ignored due to having access to a reliable mono grade Slavich papers) and it really feels rewarding.
@MattiS - Vacation memories
It takes a moment to recognise the scene being prearranged and not a real lighthouse being photographed. I guess that's a lot of fun tinkering with paper negatives. Thank you!
@mooseontheloose - Instax card
Very unusual handcrafted card with two Instax prints attached and a sketch on the backside. I And stamps deserve the attention too.

And thank you @drpsilver , @mfohl , @gijsbert and @mooseontheloose for your comments about my cards! It's great to know they reached the destination

 

[distributed]

I have received @ProfessorC1983's card a long time ago but forgot to write here. Sorry about that!

It's a large format post card indeed - the biggest I have received to date. Also it has the most stamps of any, the post office scribbled the stamps with pen, not with a stamp. The bar code was not printed directly on the paper, but printed onto a strip of paper and glued onto the back of the postcard. Even that is just a work of art I like the other side of the card a lot as well. The subject is well found and taken in a good moment. The alligator seems to have turned into a vegetarian, btw. Beautiful tones as well. All in all, a multi layered work

 

[hkbenji]

@bedrof - The Cleft, Crimea - Thank you for this fantastic lith print on Slavich paper. A very graphic rock formation. Love the sky in this too.

I still have some cards here to be sent to you - hopefully, the post office will allow outgoing mail to Russia soon!

 

[tezzasmall]

@hkbenji. Going through my overflowing pile of correspondence, I found your lovely panoramic card for this round, but would have swore that I had acknowledged it before!?!...

Anyway, as already said, it's a great short and long sided print of stationary and floating dinosaurs against a panoramic view of tower blocks built and being built, along with traffic. I also love that you've left the film sprockets on the print, presumably by using the 'Sprocket Rocket' camera that I've only viewed on line. Inkjet or not, it's a great print for the album! Just so sorry again for the late notice of receiving it, although I will probably go through the comments again and find that I have or I put comments on the wrong thread.

All the best,

Terry S

 

[hkbenji]

Many thanks Terry! Glad you like the print. The Sprocket Rocket is great fun btw. Bit like clicking away with a Holga. All the best!