Print Exchange Revisited

[Donald Miller]

I like the original idea. Posting to a gallery seems appropriate. I agree with no firm deadlines. What about posting a limited number of prints? For instance: There are 3 copies of the displayed print for exchange with those who would be interested. Shipping mounted prints could be a problem if the print size gets much larger then 8X10. I do agree with not shipping any of my Azo prints without being mounted. The potential for damage is too great.

 

[frank]

Jim68134's question is an important one. Is one obligated to do the trade if someone requests it?
As for the last Jim, I think that yes, images need to be displayed in the gallery so that one knows who and which print to trade with/for.
Frank S.

 

[bmac]

Jim68134's question is an important one. Is one obligated to do the trade if someone requests it?
quote]

I don't think so. Personally I would be flattered if there was such demand for my own work, but again, like the postcard list, this could turn into a full time job. I think it is up to the two photographers to work out a deal. The idea of the gallery is just to give an idea of what the images look like. I don't think there is a person on this board that thinks scanned images look anywhere close to the actual prints.

As far as mounted vs unmounted, etc. I see it as the photographers personal decision. Just include it in your post. Example.

Moon Over Myhammy I've got 4 copies of this print approx size 8x12 on 11x14 forte paper, brown toned, unmounted.

what do ya'll think? I think we have enough people liking the gallery deal to have Sean set one up.

 

[lee]

works for me. I will be off line for several days in the South Texas area. Back on Sunday. See ya soon.

lee\c

 

[Donald Miller]

Works for me.

 

[c6h6o3]

The sooner we get started, the better.

 

[David Vickery]

I'll vote for a gallery type setup where each person makes the choices and does most of the work involved for each transaction. But, I don't think that each person would have to actually post an image--obviously it would be best if all prints could be posted, but some of us can't do it, so a good description would be enough for me to make my choice. Especially if it includes the format used and type of materials used.
I would like to stir the pot a little and sujest that i learn to spell and that each posting be required to include the basic details of the print---format of negative, type of material, etc. This may sound snobbish but I would not want to trade a 12x20 contact print for a print that was an enlargement from 35mm. And some people may not want to trade a Platinum print for a silver print. Etc. I would of course be willing to trade if it is to encourage the other person to move up to a larger format (for certain types of photography). I am not trying to open up a big can of worms here, I am just suggesting that plenty of information be given with each offer.

 

[fingel]

This sounds fun, you can count me in too. I like the gallery idea also.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I'm not sure about the details, so I'm happy to let those who are more concerned about the specifics figure them out, but I'd be up for participating once it's all set up.

 

[Jim Chinn]

Thanks David for being very frank about some of the aspects of an exhange. I agree that some people may not feel comfortable trading a print that they may give a higher value to then another persons. And I find no problem with that. So in that respect I agree with a gallery of posted images and having a description of details. So if someone is interested in paltinum and is willing to trade a print that may cost $20-$40 to produce they probably would like to get something of perceived value back.

But now we get into the thorny issue of placing value on ones work. If I prefer to work with "rayographs" or pinhole or a Holga am I at a level below those who work in LF and ULF? If I shoot in 4x5 but prefer to use RC paper is my work inferior to an AZO print and will no one who uses AZO or ULF want to exchange a print with me.

So i agree with David that we need to get specific about what we are trading and maybe we need to also include a statement such as "will not accept trades for images from 35mm negs or "will only accept fiber based prints 11x14 or larger or "please no Polaroid Transfers".

This would allow participants to really focus on the types of images they enjoy and prescreen those that you would have to turn down later

 

[c6h6o3]

I print on Azo because that's what gives me the best prints. If someone else is getting better prints than mine on some other paper, I want to see them. If someone is doing compelling work with Polaroid Transfers (and I have seen some) I'd like to see that too. Some of the best photographs ever made (prints as well as image compositions) have been made from 35mm negatives. Why do we have to put restrictions on this? (other than they're not being digital, of course - this is, after all, the ANALOG Photography Users Group)

 

[Aggie]

..

 

[frank]

Please tell me if I've got this straight:

If the maker of a photograph available from the gallery specifies the materials, size and process in which the print is made, and another photographer would like to trade for that print, the second photographer would e-mail the first with his/her proposal. The first photographer could then see the 2nd photogrpher's image in the gallery and read about the materials, size and process used, and then decide whether to accept the trade offer.

Frank

 

[Jorge]

The value of the process is subjective, obviously I am doing pt prints, and they dont scan well, but if the content is something people like I would be willing to trade evenif it is for a print in a "cheaper"process, that is up to the person posting the image. If I place myself in the postion that I will only trade for 12x20 pt prints for equivalent prints, I will never trade one.

I do agree with the posting of basic information, inthis case yes, I would much prefer an enlargement from a LF neg than from a 35 mm neg.

If somoene wants to go to the extra expense of sending their prints mounted, fien with me, but it should not be a requirement. I will not send a pt print mounted, specially since they dont need to be dry mounted. As to the issue of them being too fragile, well I have shipped prints rolled in shiping tubes and they arrive in perfect condition. But as I said, to each its own.

 

[Aggie]

..

 

[c6h6o3]

Judging from the tone this discussion is taking on, maybe I'd better wait to participate until after I can enroll in and complete law school.

 

[bmac]

Please tell me if I've got this straight:

If the maker of a photograph available from the gallery specifies the materials, size and process in which the print is made, and another photographer would like to trade for that print, the second photographer would e-mail the first with his/her proposal. The first photographer could then see the 2nd photogrpher's image in the gallery and read about the materials, size and process used, and then decide whether to accept the trade offer.

Frank

Frank, that is how I see it. Trades are not mandatory, it is up to the two parties to stike a deal if they are interested.

 

[bmac]

another interesting question. What if someone not in the print exchange wants to just buy one of the prints? Would we then sell to those who are not interested in exchanging?

That is totally up to the two parties involved.

 

[bmac]

Judging from the tone this discussion is taking on, maybe I'd better wait to participate until after I can enroll in and complete law school.

LOL! Now that is funny!

 

[Jim Chinn]

I think you set paramenters for the trade with each image in the gallery. If my image is going to be an 11x14 contact print, I may only want to trade with other ULF photographers. By setting parameters about what I will trade for it saves someone the trouble of asking for a trade and being rejected, me the trouble from saying no or being a nice guy and making the trade even though I am not interested in the other print. Just list them in the description section. If you don't care about such things then don't list any.

Also, are we limiting the number of prints we can put up in the gallery to one? Maybe I want to trade a ULF contact print but also have a 35mm image that I will trade with anyone. I think allowing several prints for each person is the way to go.

 

[Ole]

My, how this took off!

One day I couldn't get on the net- and this happened!

I'm in, of course - I'll even start using real paper-paper (as opposed to plastic) again

 

[frank]

Ole,
Iwas thinking the same thing - I am using RC paper to maximize my time spent on photography - so many images, so little time to wash!
Frank

 

[Jeremy]

I think the gallery idea is a wonderful idea. Maybe we should come up with the minimum required description for each print.

Sample minimum description

Title:
Image Size:
Paper Size:
Film format:
Enlargement or Contact:
Paper type:
Mounted or Unmounted:
Trade Specifications:

And then miscellaneous and maybe unrequired info

Camera:
Lens:
Film Type:
Film Rated @:
Shutter Speed:
Aperature:
Film Developer: (including dilution, temp, and agitation if you decide)
Paper:
Paper Developer: (dilution, temp, and agitation if you decide)
Toner:
Location:
Year Taken:
Other: (to be filled in with whatever else you would like)

The moderator for the program (assuming there will be one as we have one for both the postcard and traveling portfolio program) can make sure its there. Maybe this could also be a password protected gallery so that only those taking part can post alleviating some headaches. I also agree with the ability to post multiple images, maybe up to 3 to keep things out of hand. These 3 slots could then be rotated through with different images at the whim of the photographer after a minimum posting time of say 2 weeks or so.

All in all, I think this to shaping up quite well and look forward to participating. As I'm going to be finishing off my postcard paper this weekend I will be ordering some more... I think I'll add some hypo-clear, hypo-check, and some fiber paper to my order to get ready!

I've only previously printed on RC paper.

 

[Jeremy]

sorry, that should have read "...to keep things from getting out of hand." Funny how the slightest errors can have such huge repurcussions in content

 

[Jeremy]

i think my APUG membership should be revoked... I misspelled aperture. Next thing you know, I'll be misspelling APUF.