Digital BW, The Print

Hi Tom,

Print exchanges are great - but I'd wait for the dust to settle on this one
before you start up another! Exchanges are GREAT things to take part in -
but I sometimes wonder if there can be too many ;)  Perhaps I am just
frustrated that I can't take part in them all?

Anyway, in the Files seciton of this group is an email recommendation from
Jason DeFontes who coordinated three parallel exchanges and lived to tell
the tale... just. Frankly, he must have had a nightmare. Please hunt down
that file and read-up. It will make the participant's and coordinator's life
A LOT easier.

It might sound harsh, but I would recommend being EXTREMELY tight on the
rules of the exchange - key factors are print / paper size, packaging,
return postage, etc etc. Only one person has to send prints in that are too
large for Everyone else's packaging to be screwed - unless you kick them out
;) I think you do need to allow a little more coordination time for
international participants, but I would have thought that same-nationality
participants would have no problem providing an self-addressed return
envelope with stamps on already, for example. I dunno - it IS unrealistic to
have to put 'no effort' in as coordinator, but you will already have enough
to do in getting round to arrangements, setting the participant list,
confirming all details to all participant, reminder and chasing emails blah
blah blah!!!

I have no real 'complaints' about the exchange I coordinated (and it was
tiny comapred to the ones some have done!) but I would say that decent
packaging both protective yet conveniently set up for return trip is the
ideal to look for.

I would suggest that the next exchange takes a very specific form - you
could be extremely arbitrary if you wanted and say 'cool tone MIS VM prints
only on 13*19' for example. I only say this because I think it is nice to
encourage either extreme expertise (i.e. people who do that sort of thing
already participate) and 'learning' (get people to try something they do NOT
normally do) to come together.

Mike Kravit's is currently running a Piezo Pro24 16*20 exchange for 21
people - it would be interesting to hear his views on this whole thing once
he's done - I seriously would not have enough room in my whole flat to lay
21 20*16 boxes on the floor!!!

Hope these thoughts give you some ideas,

Nij




> -----Original Message-----
> From: tomoc [mailto:tomoc@...]
> Sent: 04 January 2002 21:39
> To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Digital BW] Re: 13x19 print exchange
>
>
> Nigel and other exchangers...
>
> Call me a sap... Here I am just mailing out my first prints for an
> exchange, so what do I know??? But I'm totally energized by the
> concept... Combines technology, photograph and the best of the
> internet community fellowship...
>
> I know I'll wish I didn't, but if you all can give me some advice (as
> you will anyway) about how to run a good exchange, I'll raise my hand
> and coordinate one.
>
> A few thoughts... should we go for some kind of theme? Or just let it
> fall where it may? What size is optimum? The 19x13 is a bit of a
> problem... Takes forever to print and sorting would be a nightmare
> for much over 12 participants... BTW, what is the consensus on ideal
> size for the group?
>
> Ok... I'm in... Give me some feedback and I'll post an invitation
> over the weekend... Call me crazy <g>
>
> Tom O'Connell
>
>
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Nij" <nigel@m...> wrote:
> > Hi Chris,
> >
> > Anyone who sends in prints in nice sleeves which are bonded on
> three sides
> > will buckle when rolling. I recently took part in a 16*20 print
> exchange -
> > and I'd recommend the Light Impressions transit cases - anyone in
> the UK
> > will pay the earth to get them over... IMHO, anyone in the States
> has no
> > excuse!