Print Exchange Revisited

[Sean]

HI, I have created a print exchange gallery, also with a link in the description to this forum. Brian can then edit the main topic with requirements, etc.

 

[Les McLean]

With respect Jeremy we are looking at a print exchange not enrolling on a correspondence course. To provide the amount of information you've listed would almost require us to employ a secretary. I think things are rapidly getting out of control. The original idea was a simple display of an image or images and a note of how many would be available to trade. When I have traded with other photographers I meet on my travels I'm not interested in exposure details and developer dilution, I trade because I like the image.

 

[Nige]

While this banter seems to sound like a group of lawers having morning tea, I think it's best everyone gets their issues out in the open before the exchange kicks off, it also helps everyone understand some of the issues they face. I haven't previously thought of some of the things brought up.

Maybe everyone who participates could add their own participation guidelines (only trade pinholes/etc) in their Profile, with any print specific ones on the actual prints gallery page.

Regarding the print details... I sent/send a accompanying sheet with all that guff on it with the print.

 

[Jeremy]

Sorry about the long list, the majority of what I listed would of course not be required. Sometimes I just start typing and can't stop... my fingers must be a lost like my mouth

My thoughts on the information to be required was based on what I'd read from previous posts:
film format, paper type to distinguish between fiber, RC, AZO, or pt/pd and whether it was mounted or not, and whether it was an enlargement or contact. The enlargement or contact would be easy to ignore, though because if you're printing on azo or making a pt/pd it's most likely going to be a contact. A title is required in a gallery posting and most people would like to know the size of the image to be traded though I guess this could be variable based on the trade which would leave the paper size also a nix. That just leaves the trade specifications such as only contacts or no 35mm. The rest of the info was just stuff I could come off of the top of my that people have sent me on their postcards. It's all extraneous information and therefore wouldn't be required, but some like to know this information. To be honest I don't know most of it for the majority of my negatives and could care less.

 

[Jorge]

When I first thought of this when we were discussing the traveling portfolio I envisioned a simple thing. People would post up to 4 prints they are willing to trade in a gallery dedicated exclusively for this. In the print info they would state. Print size, printing method and preferences for trading. Nothing else. All this other information is superfluous and really unless someone can duplicate the conditions exactly the shutter, aperture, etc, etc is worthless info...IMO.

So how about we try to use the KISS principle uh?

The following would be my vote:
Image in gallery with the following information:
Print size
Printing Method
Preferences for trade.

All the other stuff can be discussed privately among the persons trading.

 

[c6h6o3]

I'm with Les and Jorge. Let's adjourn moot court and start exchanging some photographs. I'm sure Sean could quickly set up the gallery.

 

[Jorge]

BTW I rarely write down any info other than intended processing for the negative, so if you want lens, shutter speed, aperture, etc, etc..unless I remember it off the top of my head you will be sol with me. Or I can make it up if it will make you feel better....

I agree with Jim, if I have to get a law degree just to participate in this I think I would probably decline at this time.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I like short DOF, so I'm not trading with anyone who shoots past f:8. I also think anyone who disobeys the reciprocity law should be arrested, so no exposures past 1 sec for conventional films, 10 sec for T-Max.

Seriously though, it's probably best to leave these requirements and conditions loose. I don't really care what the process is, as long as the work is done seriously. I'm less inclined to trade for RC or inkjet prints perhaps, but I wouldn't rule out anything entirely. Perhaps there just needs to be some reasonable non-offensive way to turn down an offer of a trade or to enable three or four way trades or something like this so that people will get what they want without getting stuck with what they're not interested in, or we need to have some sort of randomized or third-party system, where everyone agrees that you'll get some good stuff and some not-so-good stuff, and it's a learning experience for everyone.

 

[Jeremy]

Jorge, to be accepted to a local photography competition I was once had to make up my shutter speed and aperture information... the camera and lens part was easy, I only had one of each.

Funny all of the talk about law. I'll be heading off to law school after this upcoming school year (unless more budget cuts ensue and the last of my required classes are cancelled or moved).

I agree with Jorge on what info is needed. As soon as I can get ahold of some fiber paper I'll scan my first print.

 

[Jorge]

I'm with Les and Jorge. Let's adjourn moot court and start exchanging some photographs. I'm sure Sean could quickly set up the gallery.

The gallery is already set up and people can beguine posting in it as of now. I will try and do a scan next week...god help me..!!!

 

[Jorge]

Jorge, to be accepted to a local photography competition I was once had to make up my shutter speed and aperture information... the camera and lens part was easy, I only had one of each.

And how would they know if you said....1/15 sec, F16, no filter with 50 mm lens that it was not true?....stupid, stupid...this is what I call haute fotografie..IOW meaningless photography practiced by pretentious a**holes.

And I dont mean you, I mean the judges.....

 

[Donald Miller]

O.K. Jorge, I swear...I made that exposure at midnight at F90 and 1/400 of a second...the film was...let's see...I honestly believe it was Efke 25...That is gonna be my standard exposure from now on...so please don't ask.

 

[Sean]

The only info I like is film type, film developer, paper type and paper developer. I guess for those of us that haven't nailed down a style yet, it's good to know what film/paper combinations provide certain 'looks' that we might be after.

 

[bmac]

Easy Boys

 

[Donald Miller]

For your information, I have posted the first image to the print exchange.

 

[SteveGangi]

Sometimes I include the data if I remember what the settings were, but really, who cares. Even if you know my shutter and aperture settings, does it matter? Not one bit. I like the idea of saying everything was Efke 25 (shot at EI 12), 1/1000 (or faster). f/128, processed in perchloric or muriatic acid.

 

[Jeremy]

i may take to noting all of my pictures as 1/500th of a second @ f/1.4 from my pinhole camera.

 

[David Vickery]

dnmilikan, I love your photograph. I would love to see those tones first hand. But you are too fast. I have nothing worthy of trading yet.

 

[Donald Miller]

David,
Thank you for your kind words. I have other copies of this print. Should you wish, when you are able, contact me and we will see what we can work out.

 

[Aggie]

..

 

[bmac]

Aggie, for web scans, you can get by with one of the epsons. I have a Microtech 8700 Pro that has a built in glassless neg scanner that goes up to 8X10, but it cost a lot more than the epson reflective scans. Feel free to mail the print to me, I can scan it at work if you want me to.

 

[fingel]

Hey Aggie,
You know that digicam you have (and hate)...have your son shoot one of your prints with it. It does a pretty good job as a scanner in a pinch. That is what I did with that thistle postcard that I sent out. It is a digital photograph of an 8x10 print that I made on fiber paper a few years ago. It doesn't rival the actual print, but in a small size, and low resolution of the web (or a postcard) it works.

 

[Aggie]

..

 

[Poco]

Would it be okay to use the exchange if you're looking for a very specific kind of trade? For example, could I put up prints and only offer to exchange it for a contact/azo/amidol print? It's not at all that I'm a snob, but never having seen the end result of some of these much enthused about processes, I'm hoping to finally get my paws on a couple of them to see what the excitement is about. Or could I offer a couple prints for a platinum?

I enjoy the camradery of these forums (even mostly from lurker mode) but primarily find them valuable as a learning medium. If I could use the exchange as a way of exposing myself to different printing processes, it would be great. If, on the other hand, this use of the exchange would be misinterpreted or open up a can of worms, then that's fine too. I'd understand.

 

[Jim Chinn]

Poco,
Some people may want to exchange for content, some based on format, others on materials and technique. Two contact printers may want to exchange prints to view like methods or someone may offer a platinum print for a LF contact on AZO.

I think it is ultimately up to the person who posts an image to set the parameters of what he takes for exchange. On the other hand he may only want a pt/pd print but you post an image that has incredible content from a 35mm neg and he may offer a trade to have that image.

I think eventually it is going to be up to participants to contact each other and determine if a trade is acceptable. Specifying what one wants in exchange is simply a way to streamline the process.