2011/2012 Print Exchange Call for Entries !!!

[darr]

Kav,
I buy all the postage labels on the USPS web site. When I tried to purchase your label on line, it would not let me. After spending 15 minutes with a USPS person via the help line, they told me I had to hand print your name/address on the package and take it to the post office counter. You are special--Your address does not exist! ;)

For you guys that may not know this, Kav is in the military, so right off the bat, my heart goes out to him. His photos and his narratives (he sent me additional prints other than the exchange print) have a lot to say about technique and purpose! My son is graduating on Friday 4/27 from college and from AF ROTC as a military officer. Kav's photos were the topic of conversation with my kid a few times and I say "thank you" for that.

Now this silly notion of yours Kav of being out of league is ridiculous!! I have been a photographer for 30+ years (from advertising to fine art and everything in between) and I would have a real tough time making some of the pictures you have made. How you manage to get sharp pictures with the rear-end of a jet-propelled (?) plane opened and all that goes with the environment, etc, astounds me. Oh and lets not forget that you are shooting a 4x5" Speed Graphic and film! Talk about abilities!! I AM IMPRESSED!!

Thank you for participating in the exchange!
Darr


I had to hunt down my prints today, but I got them! The postal workers tend to stay away from streets named "Missile Ordnance Road" for some reason. But I digress, such wonderful work from everyone! All of the different styles, and methods were just fantastic. I admit I will have to step up my game for next year. I feel that I am way out of my league here. But in a good way. :cool:

[darr]

I will post an updated list on Monday, 4/23 and ask for volunteers at that time.

I am waiting on an answer from two participants that did PM me. If we get enough interest from volunteers, we can make an additional group if you like, but we will need to fill Group 5 first. Thank you everybody for all your efforts and patience while we wind this year's exchange to its conclusion. I will open up the web gallery for uploads after Group 5 packets have shipped (the LFPF tradition).

Have a nice weekend!
Darr

:):):)

[KenM]

How you manage to get sharp pictures with the rear-end of a jet-propelled (?) plane opened and all that goes with the environment, etc, astounds me. Oh and lets not forget that you are shooting a 4x5" Speed Graphic and film! Talk about abilities!! I AM IMPRESSED!!

Ok, now I'm really curious. Come on Canada Post, get yer act together!

[Kav]

How you manage to get sharp pictures with the rear-end of a jet-propelled (?) plane opened and all that goes with the environment, etc, astounds me. Oh and lets not forget that you are shooting a 4x5" Speed Graphic and film! Talk about abilities!! I AM IMPRESSED!!

Darr,

I'm glad you enjoined the other photos. I have been very lucky to be surrounded by all kinds of interesting things to photograph and share. The postal worker comment was tongue in cheek. :) My address is an odd one. And due to it, getting mail can be interesting here. I do feel I need to step up my game mainly because I want to learn more. It not a bad thing in my eyes. The prints I got from the members are fantastic. Once I get back to my home station (I have been on the move off and on for almost 14 months now) I will be putting the up on my walls. They are all that good.

For how I get the shots to come out clear it depends on what I am doing, and how I am capturing the photo. But a few techniques apply for me no matter what.

First, while flying I shoot a lot of photos. Some of them are going to be blurry so I try to increase the odds of a good shot. For LF I shoot 3-5 shots of what I am trying to get. For digital it's 3-8 shots. At the end of a three hour flight works out to shooting up to 36 shots with the Speed Graphic and 1,200 shots with digital. Once I figured out how the exhaust flows out of the helicoptors 3 engines I was able to drastically reduce the number of wasted shots due to the blur they cause. But it can be used to induce the look of using tilt and shift in a pinch. I do feel that 1,200 shots is a bit much, so I started working on working on shooting better composed photos from the get-go. The Speed Graphic only goes if I am asked to bring it or I know we are going to see something new.

Second, using bone support and breathing control to shoot while relaxed. On the rifle range we are taught how to use our bones to support a rifle so we can hit a target over 1,500 feet away. Using only your muscles to support a rifle will cause it to shake. The same techniques apply for shooting a camera. That and VR lenses for digital, and the sheer mass of the Speed Graphic with a 12 shot magazine make for a much steadier camera to shoot with. This works while in the air or on the ground. Most of my photos are taken with out a tripod.

Third, for flying I keep the shutter speeds as high as I can. 400 speed film in broad daylight or fast lenses on the digital camera are what I used when I could. I try to keep it between 1/100-400 of a second so I still get some movement showing in the rotors. If I'm shooting something where I don't want to show any movement then I go for the absolute fastest shutter speed I can.

To be honest when I look at the photos I have taken I feel that they are ok photos. But I enjoy sharing them. I know that most of them are of things most will never get to see otherwise. There is too much to see in this world for one person to see in person in a life time. Photos can be used to take people around the world in the click of a shutter.

I'm new to film and photography in general, and I have loads to learn. I will admit that enjoy shooting film more then digital, but both have there place. I decided for my trip to Thailand I'm only taking film. My hope is that I can further improve my photography while I am there.

:)

[Scott Walker]

My group 3 prints have arrived :D
Thanks everyone for your amazing images, and thank you Darr for making this happen once again.

[darr]

Darr,

I'm glad you enjoined the other photos. ...

Kav, My son also enjoys your work. You are better than you give yourself credit for. ;)




My group 3 prints have arrived :D
Thanks everyone for your amazing images, and thank you Darr for making this happen once again.

Scott, you are always welcome!! Thank you!

[darr]

I am still waiting on hearing from one participant before I can update the list, so it will be tomorrow!!
Thanks everyone!

[mdm]

I really enjoyed your print Scott. I was specially interested in the analog prints. Thanks

[John Bowen]

Darr,
My prints are in today's mail. Thanks!

[Scott Walker]

Glad you enjoyed it David. :)
Thoroughly enjoyed yours and the others as well.

[darr]

READY, SET, GO !! :)

I need FOUR PARTICIPANTS to finish up Group Five!!
I will include the first four that respond after this post to the final group!!

Thank you to all that have offered previously, but this is the official call to duty. ;)

[Scott Walker]

One :)

[cdholden]

Two, if you can wait till the weekend for me to print.

[Scott Walker]

I'll print this weekend & have things ready to ship mid week, say May 1 or 2

[Kav]

I have one ready to print and can get it out this week

[darr]

One :)

#1 ;)


Two, if you can wait till the weekend for me to print.

#2 Yes!!

I'll print this weekend & have things ready to ship mid week, say May 1 or 2
That is fine!


I have one ready to print and can get it out this week
#3



Sure. I'm in. Printing this weekend. Mailing on Monday.

Wayne
#4



I have the four participants! :)

[cdholden]

I peeked at the group 4 prints when I was at work, but have not slowed down to sit and go over them with the family as we had planned. Hopefully tonight though. I can say with confidence that I look forward to another print from Kav as the first one caught my eye when I looked in the packet when it arrived.

[venchka]

#1 ;)



#2 Yes!!

That is fine!


#3


#4
venchka!!

I have the four participants!

Sure. I'm in. Printing this weekend. Mailing on Monday.

Wayne

[darr]

Group Five Participants
4/24/2012: The following photographers are included in Group Five:

1. Darren Kruger
2. Bill Burk
3. John Bowen
4. Mark_C
5. Roger Cole
6. VishalMathur
7. Scott Walker
8. cdholden
9. Kav
10. venchka

Gentlemen, please get working on your prints and let me know when they have shipped--the sooner, the better!
Thank you!!

[Kav]

I peeked at the group 4 prints when I was at work, but have not slowed down to sit and go over them with the family as we had planned. Hopefully tonight though. I can say with confidence that I look forward to another print from Kav as the first one caught my eye when I looked in the packet when it arrived.

Cdholden,

I'm glad it caught your eye, and I hope you enjoy it. I will send another one from Africa for round five.

[MIke Sherck]

17 minutes. Not bad! This internet stuff may work out after all! :)

Mike

[jackies]

Dear Fellow Photographers,

I returned from a business trip yesterday to find my packet of photos from Group 4. What a treat! They are all really great. Kav, you are a true inspiration. You arose to the challenge and won!!

Thanks Everyone, Super job.

Jackie

[darr]

Group Five Print Arrivals!!
4/26/2012: I have received prints from the following photographers:

1. Darren Kruger
2. Bill Burk
3. Roger Cole
4. Vishal Mathur
5. John Bowen




As soon as the list equals 10, I ship!!

[KenM]

Group 4 prints received in Calgary - thanks folks, a job well done!

[Scott Walker]

My prints are in the washer :D

[venchka]

I can't wait to see the new print Scott.

My photos are drying. Hand off to USPS on Monday.

Wayne

[cdholden]

I think we're going after a new negative or two tomorrow morning, followed by printing tomorrow night, with a day to dry and shipping planned for Tuesday morning.

[Patrik Roseen]

Thank you all in Group #3 for wonderful and inspiring photographs!
I received them a while back but did not have time to look at them until today due to a business trip.

Great thanks to Darr for the way you manage to have everything under such control and positive spirit.

Hope to see many of the other groups photos on the gallery page later on.
(Which reminds me to upload previous years photos as well...)

Kindly, Patrik

[cdholden]

I wasn't able to get into the darkroom over the weekend, so I'll be printing a negative from 2011 later tonight.

[venchka]

My photos for Group #5 are waiting for the mailman to pick them up later today. USPS Priority mail. Estimate delivery Thursday or Friday.

Wayne

[Scott Walker]

My photos for Group #5 are waiting for the mailman to pick them up later today. USPS Priority mail. Estimate delivery Thursday or Friday.

Wayne

Excellent Wayne! I finished mine yesterday but just couldn't quite get them packaged up and to the post office in time so they will be going out today.
Darr should have them Friday or Monday. :)

[venchka]

Looking forward to another print from you Scott.

Wayne

[Kav]

Sent off my prints today, they should be there in a few days,

[Scott Walker]

Looking forward to another print from you Scott.

Wayne

Looking foreword to another from you as well Wayne.
Hopefully I picked an image everyone will enjoy, it's another from the same area as the group 3 image.
The snow in the Selkirk Mountains has been amazing the past two winters so I have been putting lots of miles on my snowshoes. :D

[venchka]

Looking foreword to another from you as well Wayne.
Hopefully I picked an image everyone will enjoy, it's another from the same area as the group 3 image.
The snow in the Selkirk Mountains has been amazing the past two winters so I have been putting lots of miles on my snowshoes. :D

OK. Sure. Rub it in! Snow & snowshoes & cameras. That's cruel. :cool: ;) :D

Wayne

[cdholden]

My prints for Group 5 shipped about 5 minutes ago.
The kiosk said ETA to Darr is Saturday.

[darr]

Thank you all in Group #3 for wonderful and inspiring photographs!
I received them a while back but did not have time to look at them until today due to a business trip.

Great thanks to Darr for the way you manage to have everything under such control and positive spirit.

Hope to see many of the other groups photos on the gallery page later on.
(Which reminds me to upload previous years photos as well...)

Kindly, Patrik

You are very welcome Patrik! I am grateful to serve our community!
Kind regards,
Darr

[darr]

Group Five Print Arrivals!!
5/2/2012: I have received prints from the following photographers:

1. Darren Kruger
2. Bill Burk
3. Roger Cole
4. Vishal Mathur
5. John Bowen
6. Mark_C




As soon as the list equals 10, I ship!!

[venchka]

Darr,

USPS delivery confirmation. My prints are in your mailbox.

Wayne

[Kav]

Darr,

USPS delivery confirmation. My prints are in your mailbox.

Wayne

Mine too

[venchka]

Awesome! It won't be long now.

Wayne

[darr]

Darr,

USPS delivery confirmation. My prints are in your mailbox.

Wayne
Yes, I have them!! :)


Mine too
x2!! ;)

[darr]

Group Five Print Arrivals!!
5/3/2012: I have received prints from the following photographers:

1. Darren Kruger
2. Bill Burk
3. Roger Cole
4. Vishal Mathur
5. John Bowen
6. Mark_C
7. venchka
8. Kav




As soon as the list equals 10, I ship!!

[Scott Walker]

Group Five Print Arrivals!!
5/3/2012: I have received prints from the following photographers:

1. Darren Kruger
2. Bill Burk
3. Roger Cole
4. Vishal Mathur
5. John Bowen
6. Mark_C
7. venchka
8. Kav




As soon as the list equals 10, I ship!!

Will I be #9 or #10 :confused:

Checked the tracking number and my prints arrived at JFK customs yesterday @ 9:04 hopefully you will have them today. :D
I shipped express which claims to be 3 days :rolleyes:

[darr]

Will I be #9 or #10 :confused:

Checked the tracking number and my prints arrived at JFK customs yesterday @ 9:04 hopefully you will have them today. :D
I shipped express which claims to be 3 days :rolleyes:

There here!!

[darr]

Group Five Print Arrivals!!
5/4/2012: I have received prints from the following photographers:

1. Darren Kruger
2. Bill Burk
3. Roger Cole
4. Vishal Mathur
5. John Bowen
6. Mark_C
7. venchka
8. Kav
9. Scott Walker




As soon as the list equals 10, I ship!!

[Scott Walker]

There here!!

:D

[cdholden]

#10 spent a few days in Knoxville, lounging around the Post Office before finally getting on the road going south.
Tracking shows that began traveling today. It arrived at this Postal Fiesta the evening before last. It seems that it needed to soak in a Margarita bath so it will be properly marinated for the Cinco de Mayo weekend.

9505900018312123000252
Priority Mail®
Depart USPS Sort Facility
May 04, 2012
KNOXVILLE, TN 37950
Expected Delivery By:
May 5, 2012


Delivery Confirmation™


Insured


Processed at USPS Origin Sort Facility
May 03, 2012, 10:07 pm
KNOXVILLE, TN 37950

Acceptance
May 02, 2012, 7:19 pm
KNOXVILLE, TN 37950

[venchka]

Holy cow! Scott's prints from the Great Frozen Upper Outer British Columbia beat prints from Knoxville, TN?
Ya gotta love the Gummermint!

Wayne

[cdholden]

The funny part is that I actually thought it would move faster going to THAT location. It's one of the bigger ones, and is referred to as a "hub". I thought it would move faster since it was AT the hub instead of having to get to it from some other location in the area. I was working at various sites in eastern TN this week and I was going to send them from the PO in Dandridge on my lunch break, but knew I would be back in Knoxville by the end of the day and (incorrectly) guessed my starting location of shipment to be faster than expected.
I hope you enjoy the prints in spite of the additional wait time.

Chris

[darr]

Holy cow! Scott's prints from the Great Frozen Upper Outer British Columbia beat prints from Knoxville, TN?
Ya gotta love the Gummermint!

Wayne

I think Scott's jet blew past Chris's truck!!

;)

[darr]

The funny part is that I actually thought it would move faster going to THAT location. It's one of the bigger ones, and is referred to as a "hub". I thought it would move faster since it was AT the hub instead of having to get to it from some other location in the area. I was working at various sites in eastern TN this week and I was going to send them from the PO in Dandridge on my lunch break, but knew I would be back in Knoxville by the end of the day and (incorrectly) guessed my starting location of shipment to be faster than expected.
I hope you enjoy the prints in spite of the additional wait time.

Chris

I picked them up today. I will try to get this last batch sorted and ship-ready for Monday.

[darr]

Group Five Is Complete!!
5/5/2012: I have received prints from the following photographers:

1. Darren Kruger
2. Bill Burk
3. Roger Cole
4. Vishal Mathur
5. John Bowen
6. Mark_C
7. venchka
8. Kav
9. Scott Walker
10. cdholden




;) :) :D
Your Print Packets will ship Monday 5/14 or Tuesday 5/15.

I will be sending each of you email notification with tracking info and shipping fees.
Thank you for participating and congratulations for being in the last group, Group Five of the 2011/2012 LF Print Exchange!
A *SPECIAL* Thank You to the photographers that jumped-in to finish up this last group! Thank You--Thank You!!

[venchka]

Darr,
Thank you for making the exchange a huge success!

Wayne

[Roger Cole]

Darr,
Thank you for making the exchange a huge success!

Wayne

+1

Hopefully we will have it again next year.

Lesson learned this year - start working on those prints NOW/this summer. If I don't have 'em ready to go, of an image I can be reasonably proud of, then I won't sign up next year. When I do, then I just ship.

[venchka]

Roger,
That is how I feel as well. I will start in the morning for the next print exchange or portfolio project.
Cheers everyone.

Wayne

[Kav]

+1

Hopefully we will have it again next year.

Lesson learned this year - start working on those prints NOW/this summer. If I don't have 'em ready to go, of an image I can be reasonably proud of, then I won't sign up next year. When I do, then I just ship.

I'm planning the same thing. I'm heading off on another overseas adventure next week (for a real true vacation this time) and am taking one of the Speed Graphics with me. I have a few ideas of photos I want to get, and if any of them turn out I will have my prints ready to go as soon as the print exchange is announced.

[venchka]

Chris,
I was just funnin'. You had no control over the "procedure." I think tracking information is frustrating a lot of the time. Whenever I order something that is coming via UPS, the package lands in Mesquite, TX (SE Dallas), then goes to NE Houston, thence to SW Houston and finally back to me in NW Houston. This usually takes most of 3 days and the package goes whizzing past my office at least twice before delivery.

We discovered Dandridge, TN last December on our way home from Boone, NC. I want to go back with a big camera. The town is really neat.

Wayne

[cdholden]

Let me know if you make it back up that way. I intend to do the same if/when free time allows. Dandridge isn't real big, but I find it very photogenic. They also have the old sundry/pharmacy I like to stop at for a milkshake now and then.

[venchka]

Let me know if you make it back up that way. I intend to do the same if/when free time allows. Dandridge isn't real big, but I find it very photogenic. They also have the old sundry/pharmacy I like to stop at for a milkshake now and then.

Right now I don't know when we will drive back to Boone. I will holler before we leave.

Wayne

[darr]

Group Five Packets Have Shipped! Invoices for shipping costs will be sent via e-mail within 24 hours.

Thank you Group Five for helping to make this Print Exchange a success!
An extra special "Thank You" to: Scott Walker, cdholden, Kav, and venchka for jumping in at the last minute to help Group Five to the finish line!! I have enclosed a bonus print for you to show my appreciation--Kav sent one as well. :)

As soon as I receive notice of the first Group Five member receiving their prints, I will then open up the on-line gallery for uploading photos.
Thank you everyone!! 500+ prints came across my viewing table during this exchange; from what I saw, we are a creative and hard working bunch of photographers!! Start thinking about next year's print exchange and shoot to your heart's content!

Kind regards,
Darr

[cdholden]

Hot diggity!
Does that mean you're committed for another year? ... or that you should be committed? :)

[darr]

hot diggity!
Does that mean you're committed for another year? ... Or that you should be committed? :)

both!! ;)

[tgtaylor]

Why not have an "Alternative Print Exchange"?

Thomas

[Scott Walker]

Group Five Packets Have Shipped! Invoices for shipping costs will be sent via e-mail within 24 hours.

Thank you Group Five for helping to make this Print Exchange a success!
An extra special "Thank You" to: Scott Walker, cdholden, Kav, and venchka for jumping in at the last minute to help Group Five to the finish line!! I have enclosed a bonus print for you to show my appreciation--Kav sent one as well. :)

As soon as I receive notice of the first Group Five member receiving their prints, I will then open up the on-line gallery for uploading photos.
Thank you everyone!! 500+ prints came across my viewing table during this exchange; from what I saw, we are a creative and hard working bunch of photographers!! Start thinking about next year's print exchange and shoot to your heart's content!

Kind regards,
Darr

Thanks Darr, I love bonus prints. :)
I'm sure I have said it before but.....thank you for all your hard work making this happen.

[Scott Walker]

Why not have an "Alternative Print Exchange"?

Thomas

Organize one, there are a few in this exchange already.

[Alan Butcher]

Thank you Darr for your work and patience with some of us in another successful print exchange.

[darr]

Thanks Darr, I love bonus prints. :)
I'm sure I have said it before but.....thank you for all your hard work making this happen.

Thank you Scott. You always make me feel appreciated!
:) :) :)

[darr]

Thank you Darr for your work and patience with some of us in another successful print exchange.

Thank you Alan. Patience is something photography teaches me everyday. ;)
I am grateful for you and the exchange photographers that join in sharing our craft. The gifts received are always inspiring.

Kind regards,
Darr

[venchka]

Holy cow! I take all of my kidding of the USPS back! My Group 5 prints and the BONUS prints arrive today! This is like Christmas!
I can't wait. I will be checking the mail hourly.

Wayne

[cdholden]

Holy cow! I take all of my kidding of the USPS back!

Not me. Tracking shows that it's here in town, but it doesn't say "out for delivery" yet. If last week was any indication of how things work around here, it should be here by Monday.

[venchka]

Yikes!

Wayne

[Roger Cole]

Just picked mine up at the front stoop!

Was working since midnight last night on extended network maintenance and need to finally sleep so more comments will gave to wait but... YAY!

[cdholden]

I guess I need to give credit where it's due. Prints have arrived here in my office!
What I need now is a good long teleconference so I can enjoy these at work. It's too bad I don't have any scheduled for today (I never thought I would ever say that). Water seems to be a common theme in this group. A quick pass through these prints tells me I need to step up my game. This group and the other I participated in have been an eye opener into how others present their work. I've never really offered mine for viewing to others besides a few friends and family. In my opinion, I have a long way to go.
Many thanks to those that contributed their work, and especially to Darr for coordinating this exchange.

Chris

[venchka]

The prints arrived. I broke my standing rule: "Do not open the envelope at work." I was promptly busted. Prints returned to envelope. Lesson learned. Tonight will be a treat.

Wayne

[Roger Cole]

I guess I need to give credit where it's due. Prints have arrived here in my office!
What I need now is a good long teleconference so I can enjoy these at work. It's too bad I don't have any scheduled for today (I never thought I would ever say that). Water seems to be a common theme in this group. A quick pass through these prints tells me I need to step up my game. This group and the other I participated in have been an eye opener into how others present their work. I've never really offered mine for viewing to others besides a few friends and family. In my opinion, I have a long way to go.
Many thanks to those that contributed their work, and especially to Darr for coordinating this exchange.

Chris

I have the same feeling of "I have a long way to go." As far as technical and photo improvements I already knew what I wanted to work on, but like you I've not presented my photos to others much, and when I have I have had them professionally mounted and overmatted.

I expected to be really impressed with the image quality and feel a bit out of my league, and that's exactly what happened. But now I have a better idea of how to at least present my prints next year.

1. How did you folks who printed on FB and sent perfectly smooth flat prints manage it? I have a dry mount press that was given to me but the temperature control is bad and it only works on "full blast" which I didn't figure was good for print flattening. I suppose I could try it for a short time then turn the heat off and leave the weight on for a while. I've been "flattening" by putting air dried prints between layers of photo blotter and leaving them in the press with no heat for a few days. Slow to do a stack of 11 prints! (I made one for myself and one for Darr.) What's more, it works somewhat but certainly not as well as these. I've never considered this a huge problem - if I mount them they will be flat and if I don't, the image is still fine. But I'd like to get prints that look like these others if I'm going to send unmounted FB prints.

2. Almost everyone typed the info on the print forms. How?? The .pdf I downloaded was not a .pdf form that I could type in, at least not with Acrobat Reader. Did I get the wrong version, did you folks use Acrobat Pro, or some other method? Many included a lot of info and I'd have included more but I didn't want to write it out by hand nine times!

More comments on images and certainly some via PM as time permits. This was a great experience. Already looking forward to next year!

[cdholden]

1. How did you folks who printed on FB and sent perfectly smooth flat prints manage it?

Were mine flat when they arrived? Because of time constraints, I had to improvise. I printed my set about a day and a half before leaving town for a few days. They dried for a day at home, then I packed them into sleeves and put them into a cardboard envelope, which sat under a large box full of electronic parts in the front seat of my truck for two days while I tended to a few different job sites in east TN. They looked pretty flat when I shipped them to Darr. I was hoping the humidity didn't make them curl up again.



2. Almost everyone typed the info on the print forms. How?? The .pdf I downloaded was not a .pdf form that I could type in, at least not with Acrobat Reader. Did I get the wrong version, did you folks use Acrobat Pro, or some other method? Many included a lot of info and I'd have included more but I didn't want to write it out by hand nine times!

I got hit with the same thing on the first one I did. This time, I copy/pasted the pdf to a Word document, then it allowed me to type the info. On the first one, I just wrote it out by hand, then made copies.



More comments on images and certainly some via PM as time permits. This was a great experience. Already looking forward to next year!

I finally got a chance to sit down with the family last night and go through both sets I received in this exchange. While they bickered over which were favorites and which looked better and why, I found it amusing that I just sat back quietly and enjoyed them all. I look forward to next year and I'm thinking this can be a fun family event, as long as I get the corner seat with a cold drink, good lighting, and the arguing left to others.

[John Bowen]

To Group 5 members....
Wonderful, inspiring work! Thanks so much for sharing!
For Darr, once again, thanks for pulling this together. There is a place in heaven with your name on it.

[Scott Walker]

1. How did you folks who printed on FB and sent perfectly smooth flat prints manage it? I have a dry mount press that was given to me but the temperature control is bad and it only works on "full blast" which I didn't figure was good for print flattening. I suppose I could try it for a short time then turn the heat off and leave the weight on for a while. I've been "flattening" by putting air dried prints between layers of photo blotter and leaving them in the press with no heat for a few days. Slow to do a stack of 11 prints! (I made one for myself and one for Darr.) What's more, it works somewhat but certainly not as well as these. I've never considered this a huge problem - if I mount them they will be flat and if I don't, the image is still fine. But I'd like to get prints that look like these others if I'm going to send unmounted FB prints.


I'm pretty happy with the results I get flattening FB prints. This is my procedure;

After the final wash, lay the print face down on squeegee board (3/4 inch thick hardboard with smooth laminate surface) and squeegee off all excess water using a very stiff squeegee usually 2 or 3 passes, lift the print and squeegee the board before laying the print down face up. Squeegee the image surface with a soft squeegee then lay it face down on a drying screen.

I allow the prints to dry about 12 hours before flattening.

To start the flattening process I cut two pieces of new, smooth surface rag board to fit the dry mount press exactly. I clean the press to ensure it can't contaminate anything and put the two pieces of rag board in after cleaning them of any debris from cutting. I clamp the press shut which is set to 275 degrees Fahrenheit and let it warm up for about an hour.

Open the press and slide a print in between the two pieces of rag board face down, clamp it shut and wait for 5 minutes.

Remove the print and quickly place it face down in about the middle of an unused, smooth surface, bristol paper, sketch book, one size larger than the print, then immediately place the sketch book and print under a piece of smooth surface hardboard (the one I use is 3/4" x 24" x 36") for 5 minutes.

Next remove the cooled print from the sketch book after 5 minutes and place it face down on a sheet of smooth surface bristol sketch book paper the same size as the print (removed from the sketch book).

Repeat the procedure until you have flattened all your prints and you have a stack of prints each separated by bristol.

Place the stack of prints all face down under the piece of hardboard for at least 24 hours before spotting, spot the prints and return them to the stack and put the stack back under the hardboard until it is time to trim and mount them. After spotting and leaving the prints under the weight of the hardboard for an additional 24 hours they are nice and flat with absolutely no curl and ready to dry mount or go into storage. Or to send to Darr for a print exchange :D

[Bill Burk]

Thanks Darr,

Postman came by late yesterday before sunset so I washed pizza grease off my hands and took over the table by the window...

Last year, Vishal Mathur, yours was my favorite so I was thrilled to see you in my group again! This year I love the light you caught, I never seem to have anything but fog so it's a rare treat. Mark_C, love the sepia and the way you framed the foreground that makes the shot feel like looking at a movie screen.

Roger Cole, yours is one of my favorites this year! I have to laugh because I cold-pressed my prints one at a time for a day each - I was afraid they would stick to the mat paper if I heated it up. Now the pressure is off, I'm going to experiment turning on the heat for an hour and letting a print cool down in the press. cdholden, yours arrived flat, so the trick works - I could spend all day in your print, and if I was there at the scene I could spend all day taking pictures. For me, I think that is what it's all about.

Positive reviews for all, but this could go on forever - everyone did a great job!

[darr]

To Group 5 members....
Wonderful, inspiring work! Thanks so much for sharing!
For Darr, once again, thanks for pulling this together. There is a place in heaven with your name on it.

Wow, thanks John!! Your participation is always something I look forward to!

Darr

[darr]

Thanks Darr,

Thank you Bill. I appreciate your patience with me this year when I accidentally put someone in front of you. I am getting older, but more mellower at least! ;) Hope to see you next year!!

Darr

[Darren Kruger]

I got my prints yesterday and had a quick look. Great work everyone! I'll take a longer look today when I have some time set aside.

Thanks Darr for organizing another wonderful print exchange!

-Darren

[Roger Cole]

Were mine flat when they arrived? Because of time constraints, I had to improvise. I printed my set about a day and a half before leaving town for a few days. They dried for a day at home, then I packed them into sleeves and put them into a cardboard envelope, which sat under a large box full of electronic parts in the front seat of my truck for two days while I tended to a few different job sites in east TN. They looked pretty flat when I shipped them to Darr. I was hoping the humidity didn't make them curl up again.

Almost completely flat, just a tiny amount of curl toward the emulsion along the edge and less than I sometimes see with RC paper. Yours is on 8x10 paper so it would curl a bit less than my 11x14 and it's also possible that your Emaks paper just curls less than the MCC 110 I used, though MCC 110 handles well before and during processing, not quite like RC paper like one of the people quoted in Freestyle's promotion of the paper but certainly like a premium FB paper - it's slight stiffer than my other current paper, MGWT, or example.



I got hit with the same thing on the first one I did. This time, I copy/pasted the pdf to a Word document, then it allowed me to type the info. On the first one, I just wrote it out by hand, then made copies.

If this forum had the forehead-slapping smiley that one of the others I hang out on has, I'd use that for your last sentence. Write it out once then make copies - d'oh! But I had printed them and set them aside, then decided I wanted to print a different negative if time allowed, so I hadn't packed them to ship. (These were actually ready with some time to spare, I just delayed because I was going to do a different photo if I'd had time.) So when I finally conceded I just wasn't going to have time to print a different one and these had to go, and the deadline was already somewhat passed and I had promised Darr, I was frantically packing the things. I printed nine of the information sheets and sat in the darkroom frantically scribbling in the info. The idea of writing out all I wanted once then copying it would have probably occurred under other circumstances. As it was, frantic brain had kicked in and didn't think of the obvious.

I'll try the pasting to Word. If that works for me that's what I'll do next year.


I finally got a chance to sit down with the family last night and go through both sets I received in this exchange. While they bickered over which were favorites and which looked better and why, I found it amusing that I just sat back quietly and enjoyed them all. I look forward to next year and I'm thinking this can be a fun family event, as long as I get the corner seat with a cold drink, good lighting, and the arguing left to others.

Since it's just my wife and me I didn't have the option of sitting back while others discussed and debated, but she and I did go through them last night. We almost completely agreed, though I liked some a bit more than she did for technical reasons, how a certain paper looked, a certain paper/toner combination, that sort of thing. All the ones I liked she did as well, some just prompted a bit more enthusiasm from me of the "wow, that looks awesome, I'll have to try that!" variety.

[Roger Cole]

I'm pretty happy with the results I get flattening FB prints. This is my procedure;

[details of procedure snipped]

Place the stack of prints all face down under the piece of hardboard for at least 24 hours before spotting, spot the prints and return them to the stack and put the stack back under the hardboard until it is time to trim and mount them. After spotting and leaving the prints under the weight of the hardboard for an additional 24 hours they are nice and flat with absolutely no curl and ready to dry mount or go into storage. Or to send to Darr for a print exchange :D

Wow, the results speak for themselves. "Wow" as in "but that's a lot of work! Way more than just chucking them into a press for a while!"

I'm not sure of the best way to make use of this press I have with the broken temperature control. I might in fact be able to fix it, but I don't have time to print as it is. If I wait until I have a chance to tear into it...ugh.

I need to find myself a fully functioning good condition press, even if I don't mount my own prints. I doubt I'll ever do that. There's a whole skill set involved, not stuff I'm usually good at anyway, and I have a local framer that I've worked with before that does a great job for a price low enough I'd rather just pay her and forget about it. The problem with getting a press is finding one that is still in good working order and local. Shipping on a 16x20 press is likely to cost more than the press, even if you can find someone willing and able to ship the thing. I did see one from a guy in Atlanta here on the board, but it was some monstrous size that would need a pick up truck and a strong friend or two, at least, to have picked up. The one I have handles 11x14 ok but not, I think 16x20. I'll have to start more actively keeping an eye out. A 16x20 press (the largest size I'm currently set up to print) should come up in a metro area the size of Atlanta eventually.


Thanks Darr,

Postman came by late yesterday before sunset so I washed pizza grease off my hands and took over the table by the window...

Last year, Vishal Mathur, yours was my favorite so I was thrilled to see you in my group again! This year I love the light you caught, I never seem to have anything but fog so it's a rare treat. Mark_C, love the sepia and the way you framed the foreground that makes the shot feel like looking at a movie screen.

Roger Cole, yours is one of my favorites this year! I have to laugh because I cold-pressed my prints one at a time for a day each - I was afraid they would stick to the mat paper if I heated it up. Now the pressure is off, I'm going to experiment turning on the heat for an hour and letting a print cool down in the press. cdholden, yours arrived flat, so the trick works - I could spend all day in your print, and if I was there at the scene I could spend all day taking pictures. For me, I think that is what it's all about.

Positive reviews for all, but this could go on forever - everyone did a great job!

Thanks Bill, the check's in the mail. :D

[venchka]

Sorry for being tardy. I have been running around.
Group 3 & Group 5: 3 cheers! Thanks to everyone!
The abundance of wet, silver prints is overwhelming. I feel like I am cheating printing on an inkjet printer. Alas, I may never be in a position to make wet prints again. To make matters worse, my Canon iPF5000 died on me when I tried to print for Group 3.
Scott-Keep the snow pictures coming. I miss snow.
Kav-Many thanks for hard work in your "real" job and your hard work with the 4x5. I appreciate both.
I really appreciate the rocks, water & trees from around Appalachia. I want some GPS coordinates to use on our trips to/from Boone, NC. I had no idea that there was anything photogenic in Elizabethton, TN other than the big smoke stack.
Darr-We have all said before, and we will all say it again: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I don't have the photos in front of me to thank everyone else individually. Suffice to say, "Y'all done good!"
Until next year when I will work much harder...

Wayne

[Roger Cole]

I can try to get you some GPS coordinates for that "blue hole" Wayne. But it's very easy to find if you know the slightest bit about the area. I'd be glad to give you text directions via PM if you like (no time now but drop me a line and I'll send when I can.) There's a little hike down steps in the hillside to the falls down there, very easy trek and very beautiful. The biggest problem is getting a chance to shoot when other people aren't cluttering it up but with some patience that's not too bad. There's another LF shot of the falls, this time standing out on the rock that forms the pool I shot that one from but looking down the other way as the water spills away, on my Flickr page - I've posted it on LFPF before in the waterfall thread a long time ago so I won't repeat here. There's actually really beautiful country up there, one of the things I miss about home. But there's no money to be made, which is why I'm in the Atlanta area. :(

[venchka]

Thanks Roger. I was kidding about GPS numbers. Written directions work best for me. I'll be in touch before our next trip.

Wayne

[darr]

Thanks Darr for organizing another wonderful print exchange!

-Darren

Thank you Daren! I am always looking for your work! :)


...
Darr-We have all said before, and we will all say it again: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
...
Wayne
Wayne, Thank you! Thank you! and one more, THANK YOU!! ;)

[darr]

How to upload your photo to the web gallery:

Go to: http://lfgallery.cameraartist.com/

File Size & Copyright © Notice
Your digital image should be no larger than 750 pixels at the longest side.
It is a good idea to put your name on it for copyright purposes -- not necessary, but always better to do.
Note: If you cannot get a digital file of your photo to use, try contacting someone from your group for help.

Thumbnail
Thumbnail size is to be 200 pixels at longest side.
The site's program will automatically make a thumbnail of your image, but you can upload a separate thumbnail if you like.

Photo Info
Remember the "Photo Info Sheet" you filled out?
I save my info in MS Word and copy and paste it on upload, but maybe you prefer to update your info.

Get Going!
Since as a group we tend to be visual, here are some screen captures from the 2011 category to help you through the process:
!! Remember You Need to Upload to the 2012 Category !!



REGISTER if you have not before (you must be registered and logged-in to upload):
--
http://www.cameraartist.com/lfgallery/images/gallery1.png
--
After Registering, log-in and go to the 2012 Print Exchange category
--
http://www.cameraartist.com/lfgallery/images/gallery2.png
--
Click on the "UPLOAD BUTTON"
--
http://www.cameraartist.com/lfgallery/images/gallery3.png
--
Fill out info & Click "Submit Button"
--
http://www.cameraartist.com/lfgallery/images/gallery4.png




Questions? Post inside this thread so everyone has access to the info.

Thank you everyone for a successful 2012 Print Exchange!!

I am always in awe of the talent, technical abilities and versatility of our participants.
Start planning now for our 2013 Print Exchange which begins in about another 6 months from now (already?)!

Kind regards,
Darr

[darr]

The web gallery is opened for your 2012 uploads!!
Thank you everyone for a fantastic 50 participant exchange!!
See you next year, Darr

[MIke Sherck]

Darr, you are a jewel beyond price. Thanks for all your hard work, it was another great exchange!

Mike

[darr]

Darr, you are a jewel beyond price. Thanks for all your hard work, it was another great exchange!

Mike

Thank you Mike. I may be good at administration tasks, but it is the photography and the personalities that keep me motivated. You have been a participant since I started coordinating these exchanges and I "thank you" for all that you have shared and taught me along the way.

Happy Shooting!!
Darr

[dsphotog]

Could someone in group 4 please scan/enter my entry into the online gallery?
Thanks,
David Silva aka dsphotog

[cdholden]

Ditto here. I don't have a scanner for sharing photos either.
Could someone in either Group 4 or 5, with a scanner and a free bit of time, please scan my submission for me?

Thanks,
Chris

[venchka]

Chris,
I'll do my best. I'll give it a try tonight.

Wayne

[MIke Sherck]

Well, crud. Guess who didn't save a copy of the photo notes he sent in with his photograph of the old oak tree in Group 1? *Blush* If someone still has them, can you message or e-mail them? Thanks!

Mike

[venchka]

Ditto here. I don't have a scanner for sharing photos either.
Could someone in either Group 4 or 5, with a scanner and a free bit of time, please scan my submission for me?

Thanks,
Chris


Chris,
I'll do my best. I'll give it a try tonight.

Wayne

Chris,
It's a done deal. If you will send me an email address in a Private Message I will send you the file in the morning. I hope you like it.

Wayne

[Roger Cole]

Ditto here. I don't have a scanner for sharing photos either.
Could someone in either Group 4 or 5, with a scanner and a free bit of time, please scan my submission for me?

Thanks,
Chris


Chris,
I'll do my best. I'll give it a try tonight.

Wayne


Chris,
It's a done deal. If you will send me an email address in a Private Message I will send you the file in the morning. I hope you like it.

Wayne

Chris I saw your post earlier today and just scanned your image before I came here and saw Wayne's reply too. If you want another scan, same thing applies - drop me an email address and I'll send.

My exchange print was 11x14 which I cannot scan, but I made an 8x10 for myself for just this reason and have scanned that. Darr, I presume that's ok since it's just a matter of image scale and maybe a tiny difference in edge cropping with the very slightly different aspect ratio? I can upload it as soon as I clean some dust (or better yet, re-scan it.)

[venchka]

Am I doing something wrong? I just uploaded photos from Group 3 & Group 5. They don't show up. Help!

Wayne

[darr]

Am I doing something wrong? I just uploaded photos from Group 3 & Group 5. They don't show up. Help!

Wayne

I had to validate your uploads--done!
Sorry, but the SPAM attacks started a couple of years ago and so I had to implement this extra step of validation!

Darr

[venchka]

Very good! I thought that might be the case. Did I pass the test? Grinning.
Thank you!

Wayne

[Scott Walker]

My group 5 prints arrived and I finally had a chance to ogle them :D
Incredible work everyone, it's an honor to exchange prints with so many talented people.
The bonus prints were a wonderful surprise. Thank you Darr & Kav.

[Roger Cole]

Dan was asking via PM about the location of the watefall in my photograph too. I started to write him detailed directions but then I had a stroke of genius to just google it, figuring someone had written directions already that I could copy. I was more than right. Directions here are spot on:

http://www.waterfall-picture-guide.com/blue-hole-falls.html

My parents house, where we moved when I was a freshman in high school is about 3-4 miles back down highway 91 toward Elizabethton from this site. Prior to that I grew up in Elizabethton proper so I know the area. I spent nine years (well, eight years and a few months) working as a TV transmitter engineer where I worked on the same mountain and drove right by this site every time I went to work (which was once a week on a 48 hour sleep over shift for several years, then three times when I became assistant transmitter chief and did a 24 hour shift plus two overnight maintenances - didn't pay much but was easy, relaxed and fun leaving lots of time off, good times!)

[venchka]

Thank you Roger! I will make a point to find The Blue Hole the next time we go to Boone, NC.
Cheers!

Wayne

[cdholden]

Thank you Roger! I will make a point to find The Blue Hole the next time we go to Boone, NC.
Cheers!

Wayne
If my next trip to Johnson City falls on a Thursday, I now have a good detour for Friday's trip back home.

[Kav]

Got mine from round four posted. It's cool to see the photos from the other rounds.