Not sure if I'm to the point where I wont embarrass myself, but I'd like to join in this round. Alt print, intermediate-ish; if by virtue of bulk of work if not quality!

Details to be finalised re mixing alt and inkjet prints depending on consensus but you can specify inkjet or alt process only. It maybe that all prints all sent to a central location and repackaged and sent back out to circumvent the problem of those not honoring their commitment to exchange prints! Please indicate (E)xpert, (I)ntermediate or (B)eginner as this will help to get an even spread throughout the groups.

So far we have:

Carl Radford - Carl Radford - (I)
Keith Williams - keithwms - (B)
Tom Micklin - tom_micklin - (I)
Colin Graham - Colin Graham - (I)

I don't understand why you're doing "Groups" - the two inkjet exchanges had no groups and were very successful. The alt process exchange was a disaster for most folks (people not sending out prints) and I think a lot of that's because of the groups. There was a sense that you would only piss off maybe 2-3 people instead of everybody participating, and likewise with the critique it's no fun posting comments if maybe 2-3 other people will ever even see the picture and everybody else has no idea what you're talking about. With the groupless inkjet exchanges it was very natural to throw in, because everybody else knew what you were talking about.

I also don't see the need for the expert/intermediate/beginner categories since all the prints in the successful exchanges were quite interesting.

I'm also concerned about this central location business - are you volunteering, Carl? Because if so, keeping in mind most folks were in the US, we'll have to pay to send everything to Scotland and then have them sent back to the US. And if not, who's volunteering? And what if you have lots of prints for somebody that flakes, and they send their prints a year later? Do you really want responsibility for sitting on extra prints for a year? If they never send them or you have a firm deadline, what are you going to do, shread the extra prints? Pay to return them? What about the postage - I assume we'd all have to kick in to the central person who remails them (unless you're volunteering for that too), does the postage get refunded if some aren't sent out?

OK folks - if someone would like to set out some guidelines for an exchange please feel free. I'd like to exchange prints with anyone be it inkjet or alternative process. I have not the time nor the inclination to go round in circles with this. My suggestions and offer of being the centre for organising have been documented - if someone else in the USA wants to be the centre to save p&p for the majority feel free?!

I don't understand why you're doing "Groups" - the two inkjet exchanges had no groups and were very successful. The alt process exchange was a disaster for most folks (people not sending out prints) and I think a lot of that's because of the groups. There was a sense that you would only piss off maybe 2-3 people instead of everybody participating, and likewise with the critique it's no fun posting comments if maybe 2-3 other people will ever even see the picture and everybody else has no idea what you're talking about. With the groupless inkjet exchanges it was very natural to throw in, because everybody else knew what you were talking about.

I also don't see the need for the expert/intermediate/beginner categories since all the prints in the successful exchanges were quite interesting.

I'm also concerned about this central location business - are you volunteering, Carl? Because if so, keeping in mind most folks were in the US, we'll have to pay to send everything to Scotland and then have them sent back to the US. And if not, who's volunteering? And what if you have lots of prints for somebody that flakes, and they send their prints a year later? Do you really want responsibility for sitting on extra prints for a year? If they never send them or you have a firm deadline, what are you going to do, shread the extra prints? Pay to return them? What about the postage - I assume we'd all have to kick in to the central person who remails them (unless you're volunteering for that too), does the postage get refunded if some aren't sent out?

I'm in total agreement here.

But to make it clear:

1) No mixing of alt. process/digital neg/handmade prints with inkjets. Either all inkjet or all handmade prints.
2) No rankings.
3) Everyone mails their prints to everyone else.
4) Yes, discussion of the received prints - more than just ada boy comments.
5) Inkjet prints should be made by the submitter not by an inkjet atelier.

Don Bryant

So the big question to my mind is... are people more interested in an inkjet exchange or a handmade print exchange? They each have their plusses and minuses and under some set of rules I'd be up for either. I'd also be willing to consider something like an alt process art card exchange (2.5 x 3.5 inch prints - same size as baseball cards) which would be pretty painless, especially if you're a digital negative guy (you can replicate the image on one sheet and then cut them up).

Why not give people the option of submitting to both - run a separate inkjet and alt process list from the same thread! If everyone is sending to everyone else there is no need for ranking(?) as the only reason for that is to try and make an even spread within groups! No groups - no ranking! Is it better to have two separate threads or a joint one with the same guidelines applying to both other than the inkjet and alt processes being kept seperate?

I don't understand why you're doing "Groups" - the two inkjet exchanges had no groups and were very successful. The alt process exchange was a disaster for most folks (people not sending out prints) and I think a lot of that's because of the groups. There was a sense that you would only piss off maybe 2-3 people instead of everybody participating, and likewise with the critique it's no fun posting comments if maybe 2-3 other people will ever even see the picture and everybody else has no idea what you're talking about. With the groupless inkjet exchanges it was very natural to throw in, because everybody else knew what you were talking about.

I also don't see the need for the expert/intermediate/beginner categories since all the prints in the successful exchanges were quite interesting.

I'm also concerned about this central location business - are you volunteering, Carl? Because if so, keeping in mind most folks were in the US, we'll have to pay to send everything to Scotland and then have them sent back to the US. And if not, who's volunteering? And what if you have lots of prints for somebody that flakes, and they send their prints a year later? Do you really want responsibility for sitting on extra prints for a year? If they never send them or you have a firm deadline, what are you going to do, shread the extra prints? Pay to return them? What about the postage - I assume we'd all have to kick in to the central person who remails them (unless you're volunteering for that too), does the postage get refunded if some aren't sent out?

Ouch. Few seem to taking much interest in this round so 4-6 alt prints wouldn't be a hardship. But if that changes and the participants jump to more than 20 or so then I think smaller groups would be necessary. Maybe not for inkjets, but for even the simplest alt process that's a quite a commitment...I don't even do editions that big. But you do make very good points about the logistics. Hard to believe people flake out on fulfilling their end! How very chickenshit.

Why not give people the option of submitting to both - run a separate inkjet and alt process list from the same thread! If everyone is sending to everyone else there is no need for ranking(?) as the only reason for that is to try and make an even spread within groups! No groups - no ranking! Is it better to have two separate threads or a joint one with the same guidelines applying to both other than the inkjet and alt processes being kept seperate?

My inclination would be two threads, with the only difference being that in the inkjet thread there's really no reason for groups, and in the alt process thread there would be a move to groups if participation is high.

My inclination would be two threads, with the only difference being that in the inkjet thread there's really no reason for groups, and in the alt process thread there would be a move to groups if participation is high.

I agree. two threads with groups, if needed in the alt process print exchange.

Don

Before I create two threads are we looking to have a central point to redistribute or trust in the integrity of the participants to honor their commitments?

Many thanks to the individual that has offered to act as a central point in the USA should it be felt it is needed!

Before I create two threads are we looking to have a central point to redistribute or trust in the integrity of the participants to honor their commitments?



I think the latter option is the best one, IMO.

Don Bryant

So...Are we sticking a fork in this one?

I was hoping there might be a little more input into how we should do this. As it stands there are enough participants for a small exchange and not sure there is enough support to split this into a separate alt and inkjet exchange - any thoughts?

Sorry to pester but I was just taking inventory of my supplies earlier. I probably wont have much time to print this spring/summer so I didn't want to stock up and have it go unused. But if we are on I should get some ordered.

I wish I could give more input than I have. I'm mainly just interested in an alt exchange.

Well, could I persuade you into the neg-print exchange?

I would do either exchange or both but it looks like we don't have the numbers to make either one roll right now.

OK lets pull the plug on this one - I'm happy to play in the neg-print exchange!