Postcard Exchange?

[tgtaylor]

Just a feeler. Is anyone interested in a postcard exchange?

Thomas

[mdm]

If you will accept a 5x7 or wholeplate contact print in an envelope.

[tgtaylor]

Actually I was thinking more on the order of regular postcards: See https://www.usps.com/send/address-letter-cards.htm for sizes. The maximum size that qualifies for postcard rate (32 cents if memory is correct) is 6x4.25 inches. Larger sizes are accepted but charged as letters depending on the size.

Also, instead of everyone mailing their cards to an "organizer" who in turn mails them out to the various participants, I was thinking that all the participants would exchange mailing addresses and each participate would then mail their card to each of the other participants. It would be kind of neat to have original postcard size prints, all with their respective and cancelled stamps affixed, coming in from all over.

I'm not looking to "organize" this but would like to participate in such a scheme. They have a postcard exchange at APUG which I keep missing and I'm not familiar as to how they do it. So if someone would like to participate in a postcard exchange and/or has an idea, please speak up.

Thomas

[mdm]

I am shure I could print up something on my printer. No problem.

[Robert Langham]

Sounds pretty fun and easy. You only would get as many as you send out. I send 5X7 images contacted on a cut-off sheet of 8X10 paper all the time. They run about 8X7. I just put a regular stamp on them. All we would have to do is put up addresses and get cracking.

100154 Yosemite, 1998.

I keep a big stack of my test prints next to the computer and put one in every ebay package that goes out, along with a business card and old Borealis Press card. Gotta use those things for something!

Let's get rolling!

Robert Langham
316 Lindsey Lane
Tyler, Texas
75701.

[mathieu Bauwens]

I'm in !!!

Mathieu Bauwens
Rue de la brasserie, 45
1620 Drogenbos
Belgium

Select which one you want ;

100155
n°1


100156
n°2


100157
n°3

[Ed Bray]

I do one on Apug, it is really good, the largest card I have had is a 5x7 but most are 6x4.

Personally I prefer the odd ones that are sent in an evelope as almost all the ones I have received which are just sent straight have had some damage to the emulsion and it is really depressing when a really great image is marred in this way.

But I would definitely be up for it. It is really nice to find something interesting (other than photo kit) in the mail these days.

[David Schaller]

I would be happy to join in. I usually print on Ilford RC postcard paper, but mail in an envelope to protect the emulsion.
Dave

[tgtaylor]

Great, then let’s do it! I’ll volunteer to keep the participant list updated for convenience.

Now, should we have a limited number of participants where each will mail to and receive a postcard from each of the other participants…in groups of X… or should the number of participants be unlimited with each contacting the other(s) for their mailing address? Finally, in the former case should the mailing addresses be posted on the forum under their name on the participant list?

Thomas

[tgtaylor]

Updated List:
1. tgtaylor
2. Mdm
3. Robert Langham
4. Mathieu Bauwens
5. Ed Bray
6. David Schaller

Thomas

[MIke Sherck]

I'll join. I'm sitting out the current exchange on APUG and am happy to participate here. I'll make a 4x5 contact print onto Ilford's 4x6 postcard paper. I'm one of those dorks who feel that the damage inflicted by the postal system adds to the "post card" ambiance. :)

Mike

[ImSoNegative]

Count me in as well, I print on the ilford postcard paper also

[ataim]

Count me in as well

[Robert Langham]

You "in" crowd folks....post a mailing address. I'm going to send whatever is on top of the stack. Just cued one up for the only address posted so far....Mathieu in Belgium.

100204 Probably uploading this again...it's not a post card yet!

Just read that Taylor is in charge....where are the addresses listed? I think the more random and chaotic the organization is, the better.

[jp]

Now if there were a private forum area to conduct this in, you could post away with addresses safely, or share a google doc spreadsheet and everyone with the URL could add their name and address to a block of ten rows/persons and it would be totally hands-off for the organizer.

[Ed Bray]

Address:

Edward Bray
13 Bickham Road
Higher St. Budeaux
Plymouth
PL5 1SA
United Kingdom

[mathieu Bauwens]

Will everybody print on ilford postcard paper ? If so, I buy one box, otherwise I'll make 4x5 contact print on 5x7 paper.

[David Schaller]

I second the idea of a private space to post addresses, such as a Google doc.
Dave

[ImSoNegative]

how does google doc work?

[ImSoNegative]

nevermind I got it

[ImSoNegative]

when do we start mailing out

[tgtaylor]

Updated List:
1. tgtaylor
2. Mdm
3. Robert Langham
4. Mathieu Bauwens
5. Ed Bray
6. David Schaller
7. Mike Sherck
8. ImSoNegative
9. Ataim
10. Ed Bray

I also like the idea of an online google.doc type list that can be assessable for addresses. We have it at work and I will see if I can set it up when I get home and post it. But then each will probably have to send me their email addresses for permission to access the document. If someone out there can set this up before this evening, that would be great!

Thomas

[Robert Langham]

I'm more for having them arrive in whatever condition the Post Office renders them into. Travel-stained. I put three stamps on Mathieu's and sent it today. Mine are survivors and non-survivors of various wall-tests out of the proofing process. They are contacts on RC paper just big enough to tape in temporary mats and put on a print rail at the studio.

100231

[tgtaylor]

I put a bunch in the mail last Christmas and they arrived in good condition except that the cancelling ink sometime shown through. I used Ilford postcard stock which in their Portfolio paper.
I even sent one to President Obama & family which I put in an envelope. Got a nice thank you letter back from him about 3 months later.

Postcards open up a lot of possibilities. I'm debating on B&W or color - maybe both - at 5x7.

[Ed Bray]

Got me twice


Updated List:
1. tgtaylor
2. Mdm
3. Robert Langham
4. Mathieu Bauwens
5. Ed Bray
6. David Schaller
7. Mike Sherck
8. ImSoNegative
9. Ataim
10. Ed Bray

I also like the idea of an online google.doc type list that can be assessable for addresses. We have it at work and I will see if I can set it up when I get home and post it. But then each will probably have to send me their email addresses for permission to access the document. If someone out there can set this up before this evening, that would be great!

Thomas

[tgtaylor]

Updated List:

1. tgtaylor
2. Mdm
3. Robert Langham
4. Mathieu Bauwens
5. Ed Bray
6. David Schaller
7. Mike Sherck
8. ImSoNegative
9. Ataim

Looks like there are going to be 9 participants. The best way then would seem to be to exchange mailing addresses by email. I will be sending out PM's to each with my mailing address and requesting them to email me theirs.

This should be fun! Try to get "colorful" stamps instead of the "forever" ones.

Thomas

[mathieu Bauwens]

Running aprinting session tomorrow morning in order to send the prints during next week !

[Robert Langham]

Posting address on here for simplicity sake. It's a public address, so what the heck. Already mailed to Mathieu and Thomas.

Robert Langham
722 South Bois D'arc
Tyler, Texas
75701

100273 Boulder melting snow, Tioga Road, Yosemite.

[mdm]

Thanks, I PMed my address to everyone. You can send a PM to 5 recipients in one go, so it would take 2 PMs to send to 8 people. Looking forward to some postcards but am in no rush. I am probably going to do a contact print from a digital negative made with the Piezography Methodology 3 inkset, to make it quick for me.

[MMELVIS]

Does this need to be a real photo postcard or is a digital print OK? Do not mean to imply a digital print is not a real photo.
If a digital print is OK I would like to be included

Mailing address
John Campbell
5055 82nd way east
Sarasota,Fl 34243

Picture I will be sending
100278

[David Schaller]

I will try to get mine printed up and out next week. We've adopted two kittens this week, and there have been complications.... I've answered pms with my address and would prefer to give it out that way.
Thanks,
Dave

[mathieu Bauwens]

I've sent my mailing address to all of you by PM, running my printing session now...

[Ed Bray]

Are we going to have some loose rules? such as:

Must be from a Large Format Negative?
Must it be from a traditional process (not digital), or are digital prints okay?
Maximum and or minimum sizes? Would a 5x7 contact print be okay?
Sent as a Postcard or can it be sent in an Envelope?

Just throwing these out there, not too bothered either way with any of them, but it may help just to have a few loose rules in place.

Thoughts?

[tgtaylor]

I will be printing (traditional) on 5x7 Ilford Portfolio and maybe also on 8x10 Fuji Crystal Archive cut down to 5x7 from 4x5 negatives. I may also put them in envelopes instead of popping them "naked" in the post. The last time I sent photo postcards the PO canceled some on the photo side instead of on the stamp side.

The maximum size that will qualify for postcard rate is 6x4.5. See the link I posted at the beginning. For 5x7 I'll will have to pay first class letter rate - about a dime more. But I may have a wider choice of first class stamps to choose from. Last Christmas the PO only had one PC stamp: an Aloha one.

Thomas

[ImSoNegative]

I am off work on Monday so that is when I will be printing, hopefully get them out Tuesday or Wednesday. I will be printing on post card paper, really looking forward to doing this. mine will be 4x5 contacts.

[ImSoNegative]

is everyone going to sign there prints?

[tgtaylor]

Whether I send mine as regular postcards or put them in envelopes, I plan on addressing each one as a postcard complete with postcard stamp. So yes, I'll be signing on the back.

Thomas

[tgtaylor]

Updated List:

1. tgtaylor
2. Mdm
3. Robert Langham
4. Mathieu Bauwens
5. Ed Bray
6. David Schaller
7. Mike Sherck
8. ImSoNegative
9. Ataim
10. MMELVIS

I just noticed that MMELVIS was not on the updated list but I had his address on my list.

Thomas

[gleaf]

2nd day into a month vacation. Count me in for the next one.

[Robert Langham]

gleaf: Post your mailing address and I will send you one.

[Robert Langham]

Edward Bray on the way.

[Ed Bray]

Edward Bray on the way.

Very poetic, many thanks.

[tgtaylor]

I plan on printing tonight and will mail tomorrow barring any snafu's.

Thomas

[Robert Langham]

I'm out of cards too. Gotta print. I always count on a couple of snafus. The universe is 99% snafus.

100703

[Kirk Gittings]

I'm out of cards too. Gotta print. I always count on a couple of snafus. The universe is 99% snafus.

100703
Nice image where is that from?

[ImSoNegative]

Im having issues with my card paper, lots of mottling, cant figure out what the problem is

[mathieu Bauwens]

postcard will be post this afternoon or tomorrow morning

[mathieu Bauwens]

I only have 9 mail address on the 11 participants...:(

[ImSoNegative]

I received the one from MMELVIS today, very nice thanks. what format, lens etc.

[mathieu Bauwens]

9 postcards on the way

[Robert Langham]

Kirk: Canyon del Muerto last year near Standing Cow ruin. The guide and I got permission from a man who was working out of the Hogan right at the Standing Cow image- this is about 100 feet to the left of the Hogan. I haven't printed it beyond contact proof, but it's on the list. Late, late evening light...we were coming out after a 12 hour day in the canyon. I THINK that is with a 210 lens......maybe. I was in quite a hurry as the light was going. 5X7 on HP5. Xtol.

[MMELVIS]

I received the one from MMELVIS today, very nice thanks. what format, lens etc.

Original Negative
8x10 Film
Ilford 5 HP5 plus 400
Developed in Arista Developer
Lens BERTHIOT (Paris) 120mm F14 Perigraphe No.3 Series VIa Brass lens
Camera built from parts of other cameras

[tgtaylor]

In the mail tomorrow morning!

Thomas

[Robert Langham]

Nice card in the mail this morning fromJohn Campbell in Florida. I almost forgot I was going to get cards BACK....got so focused on getting them out. Still missing a few folks addresses....where do we get the list?

100868

[MIke Sherck]

....where do we get the list?

100868

Folks were supposed to send them to you, either email or via a Private Message here. Some folks sent their addresses to me, some I had to ask. If you're missing addresses, it's probably best to send them a PM here, I think.

Mike

[mathieu Bauwens]

I've received the postcard from Mr. Langham !

very hapy with it.

[mdm]

Busy, busy. But mine will go relatively soon, in a week or 2.

[tgtaylor]

Received a nice card from Robert Langham!

Dropped mine off at the PO this morning so those recipients located in the States will receive it sometime this week and the international recipients will receive it sometime late next week. All are in for a treat before opening mine!

Thomas

[ImSoNegative]

I got Robert's today, thanks and I love it, I was hoping that was what you would send

[Ed Bray]

Busy, busy. But mine will go relatively soon, in a week or 2.

As am I, next on my 'to do' list.

[Ed Bray]

Received a nice 5x7 contact print from Robert this morning, very many thanks.

[Robert Langham]

I think I've hit everyone..nothing special. Basically you are looking at the stuff I was looking at.

100930

[mathieu Bauwens]

I received today the postcard from JohnCampbell.

Many thanks

[Robert Langham]

Sat down today and hit everyone again. Didn't want you guys to think I was loosing it.

100986

[tgtaylor]

Received a very nice card in the mail today from Mathieu Bauwens. Thanks Mathieu!

Thomas

[mdm]

Nice surprise in the mail from Robert Langham today. Thanks.

David

[mathieu Bauwens]

Waouh, only 4 days to reach the west coast ?! How Great !

[Robert Langham]

I actually BOUGHT a postcard on ebay this week. It is a little photo paper card of Shiprock. I had it on my watch list forever and they finally cut the price from 5 bucks to about 2.50. Might frame it. I keep an eye out for stuff like this though it's easy to go overboard.

Thanks to everyone for their participation- this was a cool idea: fast, cheap, worldwide. Nice job.

100991

[David Schaller]

Postcards are in the final wash. I will post them tomorrow. Thanks to John Campbell and Mathieu Bauwens! Both cards are beautifull contact prints. Mine will be an Ilford postcard through the enlarger, from a 4x5 negative.
Best,
Dave

[Robert Langham]

I'm getting some cool postcards in the mail! Thanks guys!

101047 Mont St Michele North Shore, 2013.

[ataim]

I'm getting some cool postcards in the mail! Thanks guys!

.

Me too. Thanks

[mathieu Bauwens]

Just received one nice postcard from San Fransisco...

Many thanks

[tgtaylor]

Received two nice cards over the weekend - both from Tyler, Texas and one a 2d from Robert. Thanks guys!

Thomas

[mathieu Bauwens]

Received a second one from Mr. Langham, and the postcard printed on RC postcard photopaper from David Schaller.

Great !

[mathieu Bauwens]

Yosemit came to my house today ; )

[David Schaller]

I've received great cards from John Campbell, Mathieu Bauwens, Thomas Taylor, Paul Ward, and two (!) fromRobert Langham. Thanks to you all. This has given me a new appreciation for contact prints from smaller formats than I usually do (8x10), and has me contemplating the 5x7 format again....
Thanks again,
Dave

[tgtaylor]

I was a little late getting to the PO Box this week but was pleasantly surprised when I saw David Schaller's envelope with the Johnny Cash stamp on it and inside it was this beautiful New England landscape! Thanks David.

Thomas

[David Schaller]

You're our Man In Black Thomas, the master of night photography! It's nice when the Post Office has some good stamps.
All the best,
Dave

[mdm]

Thanks for all the postcards, and 2 from Robert Langham.

Mine are off tomorrow. Nice stamps. I ended up raiding the print box for 5x7 carbon transfers and salt prints. Enjoy.

David

[tgtaylor]

WOW! Can't wait David.

Thomas

[Robert Langham]

Very nice Carbon Print today in the mail.

[mathieu Bauwens]

Me too !

[ataim]

Very nice Carbon Print today in the mail.

Very nice indeed.

[David Schaller]

Thanks for the carbon transfer David!
Dave

[mdm]

My pleasure. Hope to make some more soon.

[tgtaylor]

Just when I was beginning to think that I had received all the postcards due, a Confederate Canon: Battle of Bonneyville, Mill, Elkhart, In 2005 arrived in todays mail from mjs. One of my ancestors served as an officer in the Confederate Cavalry during the civil war. My older brother inherited his sword.

Thomas

[tgtaylor]

Bump

[Ed Bray]

I'm feeling a lot better now after my hospitalisation & surgery so will get into the darkroom next week and sort out my contribution.

Apologies for the delay, I have not forgotten.

I appreciate all the ones I have received, they have brightened a not so great period for me, very many thanks.

[David Schaller]

I'm glad you are feeling better Ed.
Dave

[mathieu Bauwens]

Good to know you feel better, Ed !

[tgtaylor]

Same here Ed.

Thomas

[mdm]

It was fun, I enjoyed it anyway. Lets do another round soon. Its a simple, relatively inexpensive, no pressure way of sharing.

David

[MMELVIS]

Great to hear you are feeling better Ed.

All others I am still amazed at the great work you folks sent over