I think there are a couple of reasons that participation is lacking. First, as a few have stated, they do not believe that there work is a quality worth placing in an exchange, second, I don't think a lot of poeple either have the ability or the desire to scan and post the photos (myself included, I don't feel that a a scan with my current setup gives a good impression of my work.)
I will put forward my ideas from early in this thread. This is something that can be used as a tool to learn about others work and be able to establish communication between members beyond these forums.
My original idea was to have a list and pair up individuals. They exchange prints in a blind exchange. In two weeks or one month or what ever the group decides, you adjust the list so two new people are matched up and they exchange. if the participants want to discuss work ahead of time or know of specific work they want from the other thats ok, but most of the time you would not know what you are going to get. At the end of a year a participant will have 1 or 2 dozen prints from other photographers. Maybe out of the 12 you receive you put them in a box or throw 11 away and hang one. The point is you are exposed to a lot of other work and ideas and skill levels.
Now I will try to address some of the previous criticisms to this idea.
1. What if I only print in platinum or other more expensive processes, and don't want to get an RC print in return?
I understand this concern, and I know the costs involved in producing a fine 8x10 or larger pl/pd print. Two suggestions: 1. we have seperate groups for alternative printing method, you ask to be paired up only a couple of times.
2. I really don't want to get an 8x10 RC print for my AZO contact.
Well, the idea is to be exposed to others work. I really don't think technical methods of paper, chemistry etc should matter (except for pl-pd).
If someone feels that this is inappropriate, contact on RC or graded or bite the bullet.
3. My work is not very good or as technically proficient as more experienced photographers, and I might be embarrased.
We learn from others when we see work technically better then ours and some may learn from seeing the effort made by those with much less experience. Please consider the possibility that a print from a 35mm neg, on RC paper developed in D76 and processed in dektol on a $50 garage sale enlarger by someone taking their first photo class at the community college may present an exciting idea or concept.
4. I don't want to exchange a print made from a LF neg for one printed from a 35mm neg.
Well I guess if Bresson, Gibson, Eugene Smith, Frank, Kertesz etc offered to exchange you would politely refuse them. One of two suggestions: a seperate exchage list for LF people or see #3 above.
Actually now that i think about it some catagories may be in order. We could have a general list, you exchange what ever you want and acept what ever you get in return and then some sub lists such as Alternative, LF, 35mm beginner etc. A person could belong to more then one list if they wanted to put in the effort to make prints pertaining to each list.
Now there will be those who say, people don't like to have deadlines. Well all I can say is if you want to be on the list get the work done or don't join up at this time. If something comes up that will prevent you from being able to participate for a couple rounds notify the list manager and he can skip you the number of rounds you request and then put you back in the mix when notified. if we are grown up enough to play around with grown up chemistry sets we should be able to handle this.
Some small details. I don't think we need to send prints dry mounted and over matted. Send a trimmed, flattened print between some card stock and any information you want to include. If the person receiving it wants to hang it on the wall, they can mount it. If you want to mount the print ahead of time that is up to the sender. This will keep costs down and save time. And some may be concerned asbout the cost of sending prints to participants overseas from there location. This is something that just has to be accepted by participants. maybe we can divide things up by geographic location, but then I think we lose seeing work from others who may have a different perspective because of their location.
As people become interested we add them to the rotation by twos.
Anyways, a lot of details, I would be happy to help organize the effort. So please post any suggestions, comments, and if any one is interested. If just three others are interested it is worthwhile.
