This idea excites me as it allows for my own interpretation
of a classic
photographic venue that has a rich history as well as a current day convention. This project would take me on a
journey of places old and new, places that may be historic, absurd, poetic and
even mundane. I would look at different periods of post cards for their subject
matter, style, and color pallet. My subjects would all be found locally. I
would try and procure a postcard rack for the exhibit to display my work along
with the thought of having two or three as large-scale prints. As in any shop
where one might find and buy postcards, the rack would contain a variety of
works by various producers; with this in mind I permit myself to try a variety
of ideas. The body of work will feel eclectic for the sake of appealing to a
wide range of shopper. I would approach my project with a smile that reflects
from the surface of a postcard received in the mail. At the moment my thoughts
are to retain the nostalgia of the printed postcard and not move into the
digital age. If time allows and if I can learn how to make a simple GIFF
perhaps an animated card will make an appearance. Post cards are ubiquitous
through out the world and we have all sent or received one, although few have
given any thought to the photographer. The post card photographer reflects the
experience of sense of place, a visual summation that a few brief words on the
back of the card fail to match. The question for the postcard photographer is
to determine what is a universal experience. I want to stand in that persons
shoes and make my own judgments of what is a worthy universal experience worth
the price of a postage stamp. Finally a disclaimer; The process outlined above is subject to change, just like life itself.
More thoughts from an E-mail corespondents;
So I decided that I will make postcards. Then the thought came to me that the general public cares little who photographed the scene or object, as long as it fits into their vacation (location) experience. So who makes the
decision to photograph what? That person is me. From the historic to the
mundane, from blossoms to boats. AND if I can find the right GPS (budget
$) each card will have a location, this allows the visitor to stand in
the exact spot, "The Choicest Views" of the places I photographed, thereby allowing them to expand on the postcard.
Thoughts on getting started;
Now that my proclamations have been made (above), I must start the business of photographing. I will start photographing by asking one question; what gets chosen to be on a postcard now, by me today. If I were to want to sell images to gift shops in a certain local how should I go about that. When I came up with the term the "universal experience" I was applying it to sale-able cards, cards that could tell a story, depict, illustrate areas of interest to the traveler, generate the card company cash. I will start the process of photographing by looking at a bag of approximately thirty post cards that I purchased at a resale shop this past summer for price of three dollars. This bag was truly mixed, some used other new, the most recent 1995 the oldest (not used) probably from the late teens or twenties. I will look at them in terms of subject matter, framing of the image, and intent. The fact that postcards are treasured and collected gives credence to my project. It is not surprising to see a hand written date above the senders message, this indicates to me that the cards were meant to be fond treasures, memories to be look back upon. The official term for collecting postcards is "Deltiology" and is thought to be the third largest of all the correctable hobbies just behind coin and stamps. This is according to http://www.emotionscards.com/museum/historyofpostcards.htm. I do believe this was written before people started collecting friends on "Facebook".
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