Postcard Exchange Round 59 Comments and Feedback

[Tom Taylor]

Finally got caught-up with printing last night and dropped everything off the at the PO this afternoon. So far I have received the following in no particular order:

mfohl's Dalmatian. Another high quality print from a very talented photographer.
Rob Skeoch's Isaak Siemen. A terrific print on fiber with a good story to go with it.
Ansel Mortensen's Abstract which proved to be too abstract for me. I'm a more “traditional” photographer.
Michael Howard's Old Stones. Arrived slightly damaged from the postal machine but a very good image.
Pitoshock's A Simple Still Life An interesting study of brown bottles – Reminded me of the time I happened upon a criminal court judge in his chambers dictating his finding of fact into a tape recorder: “...and the brown bottle...” Apparently it was a key to the case for the judge.
henryjames's Under the Spanish Sun Another terrific print from a talented photographer.
mschem's Giant Weed Whacker A snappy print of, I guess, a railroad weed whacker but I've never seen one!

So far this has been a good exchange with excellent prints.

 

[Don_ih]

Two more cards:
@Rob Skeoch - a cowboy to hand out with the previous cowboy - I put them together. The card arrived in perfect condition, too. It's a great print.
@henryyjjames - Under the Spanish Sun - you really got focus perfect. The scene is a bit unreal-looking, somehow (which is always a good quality for a photo).

 

[Sean]

Some postcard fun:

 

[Todd Barlow]

PCX#59 received on July 7 + one from June 27 I failed to log:

June 27 - tel - Lobby - This is my first PCX and I am finding inspiration in many of the images, this is one. Night street photography, symmetrical yet asymmetrical with a hint of a decisive moment. Nice!
July 7 - Krefey - Ascent to Monte Elmo, view of the main Alpine Range - Massive subject delivering contrast, texture, space and depth, a beautiful photograph!
July 7 - Rrrgcy - Oh Carrie! - Cool creative treatment, image on image. Conveys light, heat and humidity and the sun via the hand coloured mangos. Nicely thought out and executed!
July 5 - henryjjames - South Spanish Coast at La Cala del Moral - Beautiful scene nicely executed composition and tones, and the timing of the waves and the contrail in the sky, well done!
July 5 - mfohl - Abandoned Building - Golden hour makes all the difference, assuming early morning or late afternoon sun that casted the shadows on the door. Well seen, timed and executed!
July 4 - Michael Howard - OldStones - Beautiful composition and printing, I especially like the hidden figure!
July 4 - koraks / Raphael - Red Wall - I love this subject and while I default to B&W I think this really works well in colour, nicely done!
June 30 - Rob Skeoch - Isaak Siemen - Great idea for a series and well executed, I love the sharpness and detail!
June 27 - AnselMortensen - Abstract - Absolutely wonderful. Composition, texture, contrast, it speaks to me!
June 14 - Pitotstock - A Simple Still Life - Inspiring as well modern materials with vintage look, well done!
June 7 - Don Heisz - The Tree - Inspiring me to not be so hasty to get rid of fogged paper, great result!

 

[Dan McGuire]

Some postcard fun:

View attachment 343175

Excellent use of wall space!

 

[MattKing]

Some postcard fun:

View attachment 343175

I believe I recognize a few of those .

 

[Michael Howard]

Got back from vacation to a whole pile of post cards, and some even larger. It was a nice haul, thanks everyone!

 

[negativefunk]

I've been lagging behind this round, and have also somewhat been neglecting the hobby in recent times, but being back from the holiday gave me some motivation to go back in the darkroom (despite the sweaty 32 degrees celsius) - all my cards are printed and will be sent this week.
I also received quite a few ones!

@koraks "Palm, doorway". I like the tone of the picture that I find very fitting for the Sicilian corner pictured - thanks. It also made it here without any undesired imperfection.

I was very glad to receive @Pitotshock Still life. It strongly reminds me of Giorgio Morandi. All in all one of my all times favourites - thanks a lot!

"Fast Train" by @Tel is another exceptional picture - I really like the toning print choice and I would enjoy to see this one bigger

"Tree and Shadow" from @mfohl also made it this far - I like B&W trees and grass and the image works for me - thanks.

@Don_ih Watering seedlings taught me of a practice I did not know existed. And I like barns. Thanks!

I liked a lot @Todd Barlow abandoned dock. I love abandoned places myself an it's an interesting detail you captured. Thanks and welcome to the pcx!

I love coastal landscapes and I liked @henryyjjames "South Spanish Coast". The sky adds to the interest for me. A postcard proper, thank you.

"Old Stones" by @Michael Howard is another nicely composed and printed image. The nice sky only adds to a good image - thank you.

 

[Don_ih]

Recieved Giant Weed Whacker from @mshchem - I'm a fan of big machinery, especially when it's dangerous. You'd have to pity any wildlife sleeping in bushes next to the tracks...

 

[Rob Skeoch]

Just back from a trip east and had a number of cards in the mailbox when I returned.

MFOHL - Two Cans - Great texture and detail in this print, the sun reflecting off the can gives a real three dimensional quality to the photo. I like the nice contrast as well.
Daniela - Jeu de Paume - This is a great shot. It makes going to the gallery space worth it, even without the art show. Great detail in the shadows and highlights, great composition, I really like it. Plus that's a huge stamp!
mshchem - Giant Weed Whacker - Great composition and nicely printed. The print really brings out the details in the shot.
Jim Christie - The Stairway - Nice shot of an interesting place. Lot's of interesting things going on in this photo. That film was nice but I've also had good luck with the XP-2.
Michael Howard - Old Stones in Avebury - Great details in those old stones and such a great balance to the composition. I'm sure it was a wonderful day along those ruins because that's the mood the photo brings out.
Koraks - Red Wall - This is such a great image, love the mood and tones and how you show a bit of the door but not all of it. The colours in the wall are wonderful!!
Henryyjjames - El Gato Gibralfaro - Received in great condition, and a great shot of the cat on the stairs. Lot's of details in those rocks, contrasting with the fur of the cat. I've never tried the Double-X film, not sure if you can get it around here.
Thorsten Latz - Ascent to Monte Elmo, view of the main Alpine Ridge - I know you did three different images but the one I received is really great. Really nice print, and the toning really worked. Thanks for putting in all the extra efforts and I hope you enjoy having the darkroom setup at home.

 

[Daniela]

Daniela - Jeu de Paume - This is a great shot. It makes going to the gallery space worth it, even without the art show. Great detail in the shadows and highlights, great composition, I really like it. Plus that's a huge stamp!

Thank you for your compliments! Re: the stamp, I ordered them online and was worried when I saw them in person

 

[Don_ih]

Re: the stamp, I ordered them online

Does that mean you had to pay for postage for postage?

 

[Daniela]

Does that mean you had to pay for postage for postage?

Nope...but only because if you order a million stamps, postage is free It seemed to make sense at the time...

 

[Don_ih]

if you order a million stamps, postage is free

I can see why they'd do that, actually.

 

[henryyjjames]

I've never tried the Double-X film, not sure if you can get it around here.

Let me know if you want me to send you some ◡̈
I buy it in big rolls from Kodak usually.

 

[Don_ih]

I've never tried the Double-X film, not sure if you can get it around here.

You can order a roll here. Or, you know, the 400 feet from Kodak....

 

[Daniela]

Returned home to two new postcards
@mshchem 's "Giant weed whacker" and, after having read other posters about it and trying to imagine it...I certainly didn't imagine the machine would look like that LOL I like the composition and I think the glossy paper really suits the subject. Thank you!

@henryyjjames 's "South Spanish coast at La Cala del Moral". Beautiful landscape and I particularly love the silhouetted trees at the top. Thanks for including a narrative with it...as if I didn't love Spain enough already, I now have another place that I want to visit!

 

[mshchem]

I received @Tom Taylor 's print today. Beautiful 5x7 print from Henry Coe (California) state park. Expertly printed from a difficult negative, lovely contrasting shadow and sun ,trees and meadows. Great choice.

This round has brought to my door some really nice work. Inspiring, I need to get busy

 

[bedrof]

Some postcard fun:

View attachment 343175

Oh, surprised (and very glad) to see one of my cards on this wall.

 

[negativefunk]

I got 3 more:
@mshchem 's nice and crisp print of the "giant weed whacker" - an imposing apparatus indeed.
I like @AnselMortensen 's "Abstract" very much - thanks for this - it's also inspiring in that it's something I would like to shoot more.
"Isaak Siemen" by @Rob Skeoch - I really dig the serie you are doing, and the prints are amazing. This one subject seems to be taking himself and rodeoing far more seriously than the other one I received!

 

[Todd Barlow]

PCX#59 gems received as of July 12, thank you all!:

July 12 - Jim Christie - The Stiarway - Excellent composition and capture. When masked off into sections they all tell a story. I like the eyes the most.
July 12 - Daniela - Jeu de Paume - Nicely seen! I like the tones, detail and the back story. I also like the shadows cast between the columns.
July 7 - Krefey - Ascent to Monte Elmo, view of the main Alpine Range - Massive subject delivering contrast, texture, space and depth, a beautiful photograph!
July 7 - Rrrgcy - Oh Carrie! - Cool creative treatment, image on image. Conveys light, heat and humidity and the sun via the hand coloured mangos. Nicely thought out and executed!
July 5 - henryjjames - South Spanish Coast at La Cala del Moral - Beautiful scene nicely executed composition and tones, and the timing of the waves and the contrail in the sky, well done!
July 5 - mfohl - Abandoned Building - Golden hour makes all the difference, assuming early morning or late afternoon sun that casted the shadows on the door. Well seen, timed and executed!
July 4 - Michael Howard - OldStones - Beautiful composition and printing, I especially like the hidden figure!
July 4 - koraks / Raphael - Red Wall - I love this subject and while I default to B&W I think this really works well in colour, nicely done!
June 30 - Rob Skeoch - Isaak Siemen - Great idea for a series and well executed, I love the sharpness and detail!
June 27 - tel - Lobby - This is my first PCX and I am finding inspiration in many of the images, this is one. Night street photography, symmetrical yet asymmetrical with a hint of a decisive moment. Nice!
June 27 - AnselMortensen - Abstract - Absolutely wonderful. Composition, texture, contrast, it speaks to me!
June 14 - Pitotstock - A Simple Still Life - Inspiring as well modern materials with vintage look, well done!
June 7 - Don Heisz - The Tree - Inspiring me to not be so hasty to get rid of fogged paper, great result!

 

[Daniela]

July 12 - Daniela - Jeu de Paume - Nicely seen! I like the tones, detail and the back story. I also like the shadows cast between the columns.

Thank goodness, I was starting to get worried about it being lost. Thank you!

 

[Pitotshock]

8 cards in, out of the 15 so far. A few have come in envelopes and a bunch were exposed to the bumps and grinds of the postal system and have a few scars to show from it, others made it through without a mark.

 

[drpsilver]

14 July 2023

To All:

My postcards were delivered to the post office this morning. I hope you like the image I selected for this round.

Below are my comments in the order that the cards are stacked on my desk (i.e. random).
"Graffiti" by koraks looks monochrome on first pass, but then one begins to see color - all subtle. I like that the graffiti is not the main subject, but is critical to the image. Well done.
The card from Tom Taylor reminds me of a local open space preserve, but is from Henry Coe State Park. I have visited there many times with both a daypack and telescope. The matt paper surface helps soften all the lines in the image.
"Isaak Siemen" from Rob Skeoch is very Avedonish - supper sharp, plain background, and engaging. I can sympathize with "just wish it was bigger negative". Beautiful print.
"El Gato Gibralfaro" by henryyjjames gives one a view of one contented cat.
"Dalmatian" by mfohl shows a very different mascot for the Columbus FD. I like the humor in this image.
"Old Stones" from Michael Howard draws the viewer into the image - to follow the stones. I like how you kept all the stones as sharp as possible.
"Abandoned Dock" from Todd Barlow is dark, and show how our creations can degrade quickly.
"Peeking Blossoms" by BHuij is a nice example of how contact can "make" and image. This photo "works" in several orientations.
"Subway" by Tel captures the feeling of some subway riders.
The image of two jugs by Pitoshock looks like a platinum print. I also like that you mounted the image on old looking backing - with a 1/4 water ring included. This photo looks like it was printed in the 1940s.
"Strong Like Oak #2" from AnselMortensen gives a feeling of really how strong these tree can be. I like how you used the foreground to draw the viewer into the image, and that the tree is almost in silhouette. Well done.
"Grass and Reflected Trees" by Don Heisz is dark and mysterious. I like how you used the foreground grasses to accent the selected trees.
"Ascent to Monte Elmo, view of the main Alpine ridge" from Krefey is the biggest postcard I have ever received. The size of the card reflects the size of the area being photographed. I especially like the brown/yellow tones into print. They soften the contrast of the rocks. Very nicely printed, and mounted.

Thank you for sharing your vision of the world with me.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[mfohl]

Three nice cards received this busy week.

First, the original of Rrrgcy's "Oh Carrie", the mango. This is the print on print, double strength card. Two prints, the tope one hand colored. Very nice, nicer than the scanned copy. And Robert mentioned a long time ago connection to both Columbus and Westerville. Small world!

And second, from koraks, "Two Doors, Palermo Sicily". A nice large color card. Two doors, above each other, and above the ground floor of an old building. With appropriate graffiti. I like old doors, and I like old buildings. Nice!

And third, from Tom Taylor, a lovely woodland scene with some tall grass. Tom says it's a high contrast image, but I can't tell. He split grade printed it with Defender developer. All the tones seemed to come out well. I like the way the light leads in from the left, just to the beginning of the trees. Very nice.

Thanks Robert, Raphael, and Tom!