Revitalised POSTCARD EXCHANGE Group

[Nige]

Over the last few weeks I've mailed and PM'd all participants of the postcard list asking for their reconfirmation to stay on the list. Several people have decided to have a break, others didn't reply so have been dropped off the list. Everyone who replied to confirm should recieve an email (straight after I post this!) inviting them to discuss the format of the exchange here.

Anyone not on the list should move on and read something else I suppose!

So, Postcarders, how do we want to proceed.

Previously, we pretty much operated on a 'you sent me one, I'll send you one back' basis. Initally everyone seemed to send everyone else a card but that didn't seem to continue when some cards weren't returned. Personally, I've sent 131 cards and received 91 back (not including Aggies mega Farm posting).

During the reconfirmation phase it was suggested we might try have 'rounds' Everyone would print enough cards to send one to everyone else (19 people on the revised list, so would be 18 cards at the moment) and this would occur in an agreed cycle (monthly, every second month, whatever)

Do we want to try that, or does anyone else have a suggestion? If it's the 'rounds' method, can we agree on a timeframe?

Over to you...

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Well, that's good. I have about 20-odd cards ready to send, but was waiting to print another 20 or so with the old list.

I think the irregular method was okay until everyone just got too occupied with other things, the other print exchanges, neg exchange, traveling portfolio, and such. I don't know if it makes sense to try to coordinate these things with each other, or if that would just be madness.

Maybe a round every two months or so would work.

 

[photomc]

Think I may have about 20 cards ready to go as well. I agree with David, the irregular method was working. I was thinking that a round per quarter might work, that seems to be what happened with the print exchange anyhow. Of the 30 plus cards I sent out when I joined got 3 back (most were from Down-Under, if I recall) so I hope the others made it.

Like the idea of a mini-exchange - for one it does keep me focused on printing, and will encourage me to keep going out to do more. Besides, I like getting the cards in the mail - always a nice surprise.

 

[BarrieB]

I would like to see this Post-Card List continue. One round every ODD month would be great. However I am happy to go with the flow, Cheers Barrie B

 

[John McCallum]

I think it is good also. When I first joined the last group, I sent a bunch out and got one back (from Nige) so I did get a bit disillusioned.

Looking forward to giving it another try.

 

[Ole]

I'm taking a break until I get in the darkroom mood again, but I'll be back!

My main prroblem now is a shortage of new small negatives, 18x24cm is too big for postcards

 

[Bruce Osgood]

I would like to continue the postcard exchange but for the couple I sent I've received 6 since February. I've seen threads discussing various postcards that I did not receive so I felt the list had become selective which it may be.

I guess nobody's obligated to send to the whole list but it sure dampens the spirit to participate. I will commit to four cards a year to the full list.

 

[John McCallum]

I guess nobody's obligated to send to the whole list but it sure dampens the spirit to participate. I will commit to four cards a year to the full list.

Perhaps this smaller sized list will make it more practical to send to everyone. Would very much like to see some of your work Bruce. I'm gonna forget my last experience and send a postcard to everyone.
So I expect one back from everyone too ..... yes ALL the way to New Zealand!!!!
Best, John.

 

[Nige]

Don't send any yet... we need to 1st come to an agreement I think.

so, do we want to try 'rounds' and if that doesn't work, go back to 'you sent me one, I'll send you one'... and once that falls into a hole we can close it down altogether!

Look at my numbers... some people have been slack! I won't name names.. yet Since it's been running, I could have counted on one hand the number of people I actually owed a card too, rather than initiating the exchange.

 

[Jim Moore]

I'll go with whatever is decided, but I like the idea off "rounds".

Jim

 

[BWGirl]

Over the last few weeks I've mailed and PM'd all participants of the postcard list asking for their reconfirmation to stay on the list. Several people have decided to have a break, others didn't reply so have been dropped off the list. Everyone who replied to confirm should recieve an email (straight after I post this!) inviting them to discuss the format of the exchange here.

Anyone not on the list should move on and read something else I suppose!

So, Postcarders, how do we want to proceed.

...

Well, I for one am very sad, as may be other people who would like to do this but did not know how or when to 'sign up'....
I'm going to move on, read something else, and whine for a while.

 

[Nige]

Well, I for one am very sad, as may be other people who would like to do this but did not know how or when to 'sign up'....
I'm going to move on, read something else, and whine for a while.

you need to read the other thread... if you like you can PM me for a quick overview rather than reading the 50+ pages!

Guess I don't want people not in the exchange telling us what we want to do!

 

[Ole]

My mathematics is a bit different from Nige's. The way I see it, I've sent out five (?) images, and received almost 100!

The only reason I'm taking a break is that I need to get my big negs done. Then I've got some more small ones, by which time I'll rejoin the postcard list.

All the postcards (except Aggies "Magnum Opus") are in an album I bought for the purpose. It's a great source of inspiration.

 

[Nige]

Ole, you must not have sent anyone else any, because you've sent me 5!

Ok, not a great deal of discussion so I'm going to make a excutive decision and declare that we're going to try having 'rounds'. We'll have 4 a year and people joining the list will have to wait for the next round. At the start of each round I'll send a list of those involved, so you've got the option of dodging a round like the group print exchange. I think I'll run it something like this.


1. Mid Month, anyone who wants to skip the round (default is you're in)
2. End of Month, send list of particpants. Everyone will know how many cards they need to print.
3. You've then got a month to print and send them.
4. We have a month rest before we start at step 1 again.

hmm, when to kick it off...

now too soon? (it's almost mid month!)

that would mean for a full year..

Round 1
Mid November - Opt Out Opportunity
End November - participants finalised, distributed
December - print and send
January - have a rest
Round 2
Mid February - Opt Out Opportunity
End February - participants finalised, distributed
March - print and send
April - have a rest
Round 3
Mid May - Opt Out Opportunity
End May - participants finalised, distributed
June - print and send
July - have a rest
Round 4
Mid August - Opt Out Opportunity
End August - participants finalised
September - print and send
October - have a rest

If December is no good for printing for the majority, then maybe wait till Jan (so print and send Feb)

????

 

[Ole]

Ole, you must not have sent anyone else any, because you've sent me 5!

That's what I meant - 5 different images, a total of 100+ prints. Since there are only 5 different ones, I'm still well ahead

Round 1
Mid November - Opt Out Opportunity
End November - participants finalised, distributed
December - print and send
January - have a rest

Sounds great. Can you put me back in? I'll try to make Christmas cards for you all

 

[photomc]

Nige, looks like a very good plan to me...ready when everyone else is - Now or Jan, but I did opt out of the print exchange because of the holidaze...so it might be best to start in Jan.

 

[fotobob]

Ole, you must not have sent anyone else any, because you've sent me 5!

Ok, not a great deal of discussion so I'm going to make a excutive decision and declare that we're going to try having 'rounds'. We'll have 4 a year and people joining the list will have to wait for the next round. At the start of each round I'll send a list of those involved, so you've got the option of dodging a round like the group print exchange. I think I'll run it something like this.


1. Mid Month, anyone who wants to skip the round (default is you're in)
2. End of Month, send list of particpants. Everyone will know how many cards they need to print.
3. You've then got a month to print and send them.
4. We have a month rest before we start at step 1 again.

hmm, when to kick it off...

now too soon? (it's almost mid month!)

that would mean for a full year..

Round 1
Mid November - Opt Out Opportunity
End November - participants finalised, distributed
December - print and send
January - have a rest
Round 2
Mid February - Opt Out Opportunity
End February - participants finalised, distributed
March - print and send
April - have a rest
Round 3
Mid May - Opt Out Opportunity
End May - participants finalised, distributed
June - print and send
July - have a rest
Round 4
Mid August - Opt Out Opportunity
End August - participants finalised
September - print and send
October - have a rest

If December is no good for printing for the majority, then maybe wait till Jan (so print and send Feb)

????

Nige,
I am in favor of starting in December. As long as you are addressing Holiday cards it doesn't take much longer to address a few postcards. By the way, of the 23 people left on the list I have received 9 cards. What happens to the non senders? After all the opted to stay in the group but are not going to deliver (I guess)

 

[Nige]

Robert, you should have recieved an email from me. It didn't bounce so I won't have chased you up seperately. Anyway, we have started for December, several members have reported sending them and I've received about 4 (not from you though.. looking forwrd to it!). The rest must be in the post or still in the developing tray I guess! I imagine some will arrive in January due to schedules and the overworked postal systems.

 

[photomc]

Mine have been posted for over a week, and I have several nice cards that have come in the mail...it has been fun to pick up the mail and see what new surprise is in the mail that day Should make note that the first several cards were from either the folks down under or their neighbors over in NZ....nice job by all.

 

[kwmullet]

I've gotten four or five and I gotta say they've really inspired me in my work. I've got plans to find a nice antique tin at a resale shop, line the interior with red felt, and put it in a conspicuous place to hold and share the postcards I receive. WRT my own postcards, I've narrowed the field for the image I use to one roll, did some workprints yesterday and will either narrow or narrow and print today. Next week, I'll get some backing to dry mount to the prints (I've got my eye on some neat hemp paper) and start sending them.

It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that apug has changed my creative life. I doubt that any other online forum has more activities to devirtualize the community as does apug. Based on the excitement and anticipation of getting these wonderful postcards in the mail, I've all but decided to participate in the next print exchange. It's a given that unless I lose my darkroom facilities for some reason, I'll want to be a permanent member of the postcard exchange.

Viva la apug!

-KwM-

 

[Nige]

Kevin, it does open ones eyes. I've received so many little prints (postcards) that I'd never have thought of or seen without the exchange. Definetly opens ones mind to a world of possibilites. It's a good way to improve your printing as you want to be consistent (well I do) and decent, knowing your audience is a bunch of other photog's who'll be examining the postcards pretty closely. It's also pretty hard to print that small, makes 8x10s a breeze in the burning and dodging stakes! I've been pretty conservative (subjects) in the cards I have sent, probably time to time to send some that are more adventurous, a reflection what I generally photograph... I might have to write on it 'this way up'

 

[Aggie]

With Ilford discontinuing the postcard stock paper, I checked out a few things as replacements. They also sell 4x6 inch RC paper. This is just 1/4" larger on each side than the present postcards. I can check to see how much a stamp would be to stamp the backs ourselves to make them look like postcards.

The other thing that is a possibility is to ask J&C if they could find a supplier of postcard stock for us. They have always listened to us, and tried to find us suppliers.

BTW, tomtom and I were out to lunch on Wednesday when my batch was put in the mailbox, by her. So all should be shortly receiving mine.

I love getting all the postcards. My mail lady has asked so many questions about them. She has a handicapped son, who she wants to get started in photography. She thinks the postcards would be an excellent way for him to send little bits of his work to friends and family. So you never know who you will influence by sending out those cards.

 

[BWGirl]

Hm....maybe some of us could send him postcards??? What do you think?

(BTW - I am loving getting all these postcards! I've already started a photo album for them! )

 

[Jim Moore]

Hm....maybe some of us could send him postcards??? What do you think?

I was thinking the same thing. Aggie if you could get his address and PM it to those of us interested that would be great!

I've received about 1/2 doz so far and they are beautiful. I can't wait to see the rest.

Jim

 

[Nige]

I'll be in that too (the postcard to the mail ladies son.. send us his name too and we can personalise them)