Author Topic: Postcard Exchange - Signup Due 31.12.08 - Postcard Mailout Due 31.01.09!! (Read 33760 times)

Nicole BM · « **on:** December 10, 2008, 08:30:41 AM »

Another site many of us know holds regular postcard exchanges. I'm wondering if FW'ers are willing to do the same, but with "hybrid postcards" via snail mail? Anyone interested?

LT · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2008, 02:34:26 PM »

i'd be up for it. I really dont have the time to organise the print exchange thing at the moment, so an alternative sorted out by someone else would suit me just fine!

Stu · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2008, 02:56:08 PM »

Count me in.

tijeras · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2008, 04:08:46 PM »

I'm in!
Thanks for doing this, I adore

postcards!!!!!

This-is-damion · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2008, 10:53:12 AM »

im in also, for those of us who inkjet....is there any specialist postcard format card/paper?

or is that a silly question?

Pete_R · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2008, 09:04:18 PM »

I could be in but I've never done a postcard exchange before so someone will have to explain what it involves. Presumably similar to a print exchange - is it? And what constitutes a 'postcard'? Can it be handmade???

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2008, 12:32:42 AM »

Sounds good, but 'Hybrid' meaning what in this context?

Heather · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2008, 08:30:52 AM »

Quote from: Peter R on December 11, 2008, 09:04:18 PM

I could be in but I've never done a postcard exchange before so someone will have to explain what it involves. Presumably similar to a print exchange - is it? And what constitutes a 'postcard'? Can it be handmade???

it's a piece of paper-like substance that has a line down the back and the address on the right side of the line and generally a message on the left hand side. Yes it can be handmade, I've sent 60 cyanotype postcards in two rounds of the other place's postcard exchange.

Having said that, I'm not participating because I've been doing so many exchanges lately it's sucked the lifeforce out of me and, besides, I don't do hybrid stuff

This-is-damion · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2008, 08:57:54 AM »

and can you buy postcard paper? or do i just print on normal card and post?? (this feels like another stupid question...)

Stu · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2008, 09:14:41 AM »

If you're using a dark room in which to print your postcards, Ilford do boxes of (overpriced) postcard Multigrade paper. Otherwise, I get by with some 5x7 or smaller and a pen.

Stu · « **Reply #10 on:** December 12, 2008, 09:18:34 AM »

In the 'other place', a postcard exchange consists of everyone telling the 'organiser/not me' how many postcards they are willing to send out. They are then sent that many addresses to send to.

If you agree to send 10 postcards, you will recieve 10 yourself from other contributors. Time consuming fun all the way!

It really is a bit nice to recieve such a varied bunch photos and to know that you will get some constructive critisicm on your photo.

Pete_R · « **Reply #11 on:** December 12, 2008, 11:58:44 AM »

Thanks for the explanations Stu/Heather. I'm going to opt out of this one then as I don't have time to make multiple postcards at present.

Stu · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2008, 12:15:15 PM »

Fair enough, It is a little time consuming.
You can of course do mutiples. For the 'other place' i did 20 of the same almost straight print so it wasn't too bad.

Heather · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2008, 12:55:31 PM »

yeah straight B&W prints on the ilford postcard paper don't take very long. I did 20, same-image, in an afternoon for my christmas cards this year. As long as it's an easy straight print, it's not too bad.

I never sign up to more than 30 though.... as it can go up to about 50-55 total participants. The postal costs alone tend to be crippling at 56p for every US/Canada/Australia postcard then 50p/european postcard and I only had about 3 UK out of my 30 postcards to post the last round, it's slightly north america-centric at the other place.

Nicole BM · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2008, 11:41:29 AM »

Wow, this could possibly come together! Thanks everyone!

Postcards can be printing in the wet darkroom on any paper to 6x4" or 5x7" etc.. with a sticker (or not) on the back turned into a postcard with address, stamp etc...

Hybrid can be scanned negs and printed with inkjet / pigment inks, on papers such as fine art, etc... your choice - just turn the back into a postcard and send off via snail mail.

I am not the most regular visitor on the web so I'm not sure if I'm the best person to run this, but will be happy to get the ball rolling and setup the first one and see where we go from there - if you like.

If we have 10 people interested/sign up, then we all print 9 cards (usually within one month) and send them to the others, and you can expect 9 postcards from around the world in return. Print can be of anything you like, no particular theme.

What do you think?

If you are happy with this, PM or email me your postal address details and I'll PM or email these to all parcipants in the exchange.
All postcards must be sent by the 31st January 2009.

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #15 on:** December 13, 2008, 07:25:01 PM »

I would be delighted to be involved..I make postcards all the time anyway..cause everything I upload someone (mostly my daughter) want me to make a postcard of it..
Just let me know the names and addresses to mail to! Wonderful idea!

Skorj · « **Reply #16 on:** December 14, 2008, 06:51:06 AM »

Count me in!

rolo · « **Reply #17 on:** December 15, 2008, 04:11:59 AM »

Ooh, I'm in!

Nicole BM · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2008, 04:23:45 AM »

Looks like it might work. : )

I'm off on travels for the next week or so. In the meantime, please PM me your postal addresses, which I'll distribute to the participants by the 31 Dec 08.
All postcards must be posted by 31 Jan 2009 please.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.
Nicole

moominsean · « **Reply #19 on:** December 15, 2008, 06:39:21 AM »

i'm up for it... how does all this work? some kind of central address database or are we supposed to email our addresses to everyone?

pdewolff · « **Reply #20 on:** December 16, 2008, 09:27:21 AM »

sounds like a nice idea, so if possible and if you like some windmill or wooden shoes postcards i'm in.

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #21 on:** December 17, 2008, 12:14:18 AM »

I'm interested in this, but have no way of producing 'fine art' standard material (for want of a better phrase/classification). I can get a pretty image and send it to an online photo service for them to print up as a postcard x 30 or whatever. The quality will be as good as a normal postcard, but a million miles away from the type of thing some of you have obviously been labouring over lovingly during the more hands-on APUG postcard swaps.

Am I in or out? How democratic can we be with this?

Don't want to rock the boat, so if the whole point of this is the one-off vibe of the finished product then I'll count myself. However, if it's about sending each other postcards with arty images on then will the online photo service product be acceptable to everyone?

Stu · « **Reply #22 on:** December 17, 2008, 09:21:53 AM »

In my opinion (feel free to argue) the nice thing about recieving the postcards is to see what photos people are taking and as long as it is postcard-ish in size then it doesn't matter how it's printed.

Karl · « **Reply #23 on:** December 17, 2008, 09:37:11 PM »

Count me in as long as Ed's suggestion is viable. I think I'd struggle to get a load of cards done in the darkroom but willing to give 10 a go.
Karl

artpunk · « **Reply #24 on:** December 20, 2008, 10:58:21 PM »

You could count me in as well. I presume we are talking about doing this in the New Year?

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #25 on:** December 21, 2008, 03:32:46 PM »

So, unless I hear otherwise I'm going to suggest that the vote is a "Yay" regarding the online printing aspect of the postcard exchange?

What we need to do now is finalise the list of those people who are participating and then agree that all postcards need to be sent by Jan 31st 2009.

Who's co-ordinating?

dmteter · « **Reply #26 on:** December 21, 2008, 04:29:15 PM »

count me in.

Nicole BM · « **Reply #27 on:** December 28, 2008, 09:38:19 AM »

Leon or other moderator, can you please sticky this one?

Remember everyone, please PM me your address details by 31 Dec 08 to be in it!! Look forward to it.

Nicole BM · « **Reply #28 on:** December 30, 2008, 08:22:17 AM »

OK, here's an update, deadline for signing up is tomorrow.

The following have already signed up/PM'd me their address:
1) Becky (tijeras)
2) Stu
3) Rory
4) Damion
5) Ed
6) Diane
7) Nicole (me)

Countries: UK, Ireland, USA & Australia

If any of the following are still interested, please PM me your address details by tomorrow night:
Leon
dmteter
artpunk
pdewolff
moominsean
rolo
Skorj

Happy New Year everyone

beck · « **Reply #29 on:** December 30, 2008, 06:32:28 PM »

I'd like to play along. What do I have to do? My head hurts now after confession. I am going to make my own postcard. My new rule of thumb for the new year. Breaking rules....but I already do that. Sign me uppers...

rdbkorn · « **Reply #30 on:** December 31, 2008, 05:02:52 PM »

I'd like to participate - will PM address now.

Paul

Nicole BM · « **Reply #31 on:** January 01, 2009, 11:58:26 AM »

The following have now signed up by PM'ing their address details, which I'll PM on to the participants shortly:

1) tijeras
2) Stu
3) roryot
4) This-is-damion
5) ed.wenn
6) Diane
7) Artpunk
8. Leon
9) rdbkorn
10) moominsean
11) Nicole

(please let me know a.s.a.p. if I've missed someone - totally possible!!)

Countries participating this round: UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, & Australia

The rules are very simple:

a) All prints must originate from a film negative, no digital captures.
b) Prints must be on silver paper (traditional printing methods) or scanned neg & fine art (inkjet) paper or similar
c) Print 10 (5x7" or 6x4") prints to post to the other 10 participants (names & addresses will be PM'd to the participants shortly)
d) On the back of each print, create the "postcard" look with address, stamp, etc...
e) On the back of each print, include an explanation of your print, print choice and your name and FW name so we can comment on your print
f) Post all prints via snail mail to all other participants no later than 31 Jan 09
g) Let us know when you receive your postcards and please share your thoughts
h) Not before 15 Feb 08, so not to spoil the anticipation!!! - Upload your own postcard image on FW for participants to add their comments. - Not sure about this one yet, depending on where best to upload them. (Leon, where do you recommend is the best place on FW for us to post scanned copies of our postcards and comments on them?)

Tip 1: Choose just one neg to print for each exchange to better keep track of what you've sent whom and when
Tip 2: Write clearly for easier reading

Let the fun in 2009 begin!!

Nicole BM · « **Reply #32 on:** January 01, 2009, 12:23:44 PM »

Just realised I can only send 5 PM's in one hour, so will send the other 5 participants PM's later.
Please send me a gentle reminder if I should forget!

This-is-damion · « **Reply #33 on:** January 01, 2009, 03:31:13 PM »

Hi Nicole, think we need to clarify if we can produce postcards via an online service....a few of us will struggle if not. I would have liked to do my own but im pretty much out of ink for my epson K3 and cant really afford the ?100 for a new set of inks right now.

Can we agree that we can produce via online? Totally appreciate if people are against this, just means I will have to sit out for time being.

I would rather we get sorted now rather than have dissapointed people at the other end of the exchange!!

Nicole BM · « **Reply #34 on:** January 01, 2009, 03:38:47 PM »

Hi Damion, I'm sorry, this exchange is via snail mail only.

My postcards will be going out tomorrow (I'm way ahead of myself, which even astounds me!). Damion, I'll include one for you in this round as a consolation.

You never know what could happen by the end of Jan 09.

beck · « **Reply #35 on:** January 01, 2009, 03:40:21 PM »

Damn I didn't realize it was for numerous postcards. I don't think I can commit to this one unfortunately. Sorry about that. Perhaps next time....

This-is-damion · « **Reply #36 on:** January 01, 2009, 04:38:19 PM »

Quote from: Nicole BM on January 01, 2009, 03:38:47 PM

Hi Damion, I'm sorry, this exchange is via snail mail only.

My postcards will be going out tomorrow (I'm way ahead of myself, which even astounds me!). Damion, I'll include one for you in this round as a consolation. You never know what could happen by the end of Jan 09.

Apologies possibly wasnt very clear, My postcards will be posted, snail mail, but ill be using someone like Qoop to make the cards for me, rather than doing myself (think a few people here are looking to do similar) .

Is this ok?

LT · « **Reply #37 on:** January 01, 2009, 04:41:42 PM »

Happy new year all. Damion, do you mean getting your postcards printed via an online service? If so, I can see no problem with that. As long as a physical postcard made from one of your negs is sent, I can't see how it matters too much.

This-is-damion · « **Reply #38 on:** January 01, 2009, 04:47:36 PM »

yeah leon, I was going to print myself but having just tried ive managed one then my ink has gone, so ill be sending to qoop to get printed then post them out.

Just wanted to make sure no one was going to be hacked off as appreciate the time and effort spent in darkroom or printer to get a good image!

pdewolff · « **Reply #39 on:** January 02, 2009, 01:07:27 PM »

sorry i was on holydays since christmas so missed a lot, still hope i can join.

Piet de Wolff
Kogelparkstraat 1
4381AT Vlissingen
the Netherlands

LT · « **Reply #40 on:** January 02, 2009, 01:08:20 PM »

I think it's too late for this time Piet ... Nicole has done all the organizing for this round

pdewolff · « **Reply #41 on:** January 02, 2009, 02:00:20 PM »

ah, thats a pity next time better, i'll never go out with Christmas again....good luck with the exchange

Nicole BM · « **Reply #42 on:** January 02, 2009, 02:22:45 PM »

Piet, Leon's right, sorry I've finished the organising and also already sent my postcards off today - this quick is not the norm for me!! I always print a few extra postcards, so will put one in the mail for you tomorrow as an intro.

The next round will hopefully be in Feb 09 pending all going well this time around.

moominsean · « **Reply #43 on:** January 03, 2009, 05:18:21 PM »

i'll have mine out in a couple weeks. i decided to try qoop, as i have a crappy printer and don't have a darkroom. i didn't want to use the local lab and get charged 8 bucks a card or something.

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #44 on:** January 03, 2009, 08:36:06 PM »

To confirm; I'm in, but am also intending to use an online print service as Damion and Sean have mentioned above (and as we discussed a bit even earlier in this thread). Nicole, can you please confirm that you're happy with this as it does pretty much directly go against point 'b' in your list of stipulations.

artpunk · « **Reply #45 on:** January 03, 2009, 10:49:35 PM »

Nicole I would like to clarify another point as well -
Tip 1: Choose just one neg to print for each exchange to better keep track of what you've sent whom and when

Sorry if I'm being thick here - do you mean a different image for each individual recipient in this exchange, or the one (same) image for all recipients in this particular exchange?

moominsean · « **Reply #46 on:** January 03, 2009, 11:01:29 PM »

i'd imagine that qoop printing is probably higher quality than most home laser printers, so i'm sure it's fine. i used one print for everyone. that makes more sense, particularly if this is going to be a regular event (i think this entire 'event' is a single exchange, not each individual mailing).

this is obviously for fun, so i don't think any of us should get too tied up in the details. i'm good with getting whatever from whomever.

and sorry, i might not write an 'explanation' of my print on every card, either. i don't really explain my stuff...just look at it! i'll write something, though.

i read that thinking...10 prints? but there are 11 names! duh.

artpunk · « **Reply #47 on:** January 03, 2009, 11:23:06 PM »

Quote from: moominsean on January 03, 2009, 11:01:29 PM

this is obviously for fun, so i don't think any of us should get too tied up in the details. i'm good with getting whatever from whomever.

Yep, I'd be thinking you are right with that sentiment Sean, I feel the same.
Also, regarding "i'm good with getting whatever from whomever" - it's nice to know you won't be disappointed with my efforts!

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #48 on:** January 03, 2009, 11:56:58 PM »

Agreed re the spirit of the event - and hoping it'll become a regular. Many thanks to Nicole for suggesting an co-ordinating things too; genuinely. It's always a pain in the rear running stuff like this, so thanks.

The reason for my question was just to make it clear what I was going to do in case anyone spent days on a series of, say, cyanotypes, only to receive a Qoop-quality print from yours truly and feel cheated.

roryot · « **Reply #49 on:** January 04, 2009, 02:04:08 AM »

Hi all,

Mine's one of the 11 names. I'm not up with digital scaning and printing really (I have a cheap version of both, and hope for the best). We recently did a small extension on our house and I reserved a small (about 4x6 foot) space for a darkroom. God, I love it! So my prints will be hand printed in the dark, god help us. Even if you receive a piss poor post card from me, at least you will know it's hand printed! I'm a bit nervous now - what will I print?? By the way, please don't expect anything till the end of Jan, and thanks to anyone else who has already posted. And won't it be nice to have something welcome drop through the letterbox?

Rory