On Dec 17, 2023, at 6:02?PM, Stephen Mustoe via groups.io <smustoe@...> wrote:

?I just got back after a week out of town and found the latest?exchange prints waiting for me. There have been many excellent?exchanges in the?past few years but this struck me as one of the strongest. I always debate?whether to post any comments - it seems?out of the norm relative to other?exchange participants, and I always worry that by singling out a few images?others will feel I did not?appreciate their submissions. That is not the case?at all. But I decided what the hell, no one has complained so far and I would?feel?remiss if I didn’t share my impressions with all of you :)

For starters, Nara’s two prints (Siesta and Water Falls) were?exceptional. I have been to Masai Mara several times, have seen scores?of?lions, and have never captured so engaging an image. I am truly envious. And?his beautifully composed and printed black and white?from the Chader Trek has?me considering exploring Ladakh the next time I escape to the Himalayas. All I?could think was damn, it?must have been a cold day trekking!

Jayanand’s Lurking Tusker really showcased his printing skills. I?am glad he included a small color version of the original in his data?sheet so?I could truly appreciate the final monochrome print.

Robert’s Homage to PC captured the spirit off Caponigro’s Two?Pears. Lovely printing. Perhaps he could be inspired by some of?Caponigro’s sea?shell or mushroom images next time around :)
?
Robert’s Assemblage made me change my mind about smartphone?photos. Very arresting composition.

Josh’s Sheep Farmer conveyed so much warmth and happiness. And the?dappled lighting was surprisingly effective.

S. Prabhakaran’s print of the older woman walking in Padum village?captured her with grace and dignity. And it only heightened my?desire to do?some trekking in Ladakh.

Lastly, Rick’s Trichocereus Cactus was an intriguing image with?such abstract characteristics I first thought it was a computer?generated?image. Fabulous! I have thoroughly enjoyed all his color prints of flowers, but?this was a delightful deviation.

?
I feel blessed to be a part of this exchange and I thank Gary for?the splendid job he does making it all come together. And I thank all of?you as?well for your consistently rewarding bimonthly submissions.

Steve ??

On Dec 17, 2023, at 20:02, Stephen Mustoe <smustoe@...> wrote:

I just got back after a week out of town and found the latest?exchange prints waiting for me. There have been many excellent?exchanges in the?past few years but this struck me as one of the strongest. I always debate?whether to post any comments - it seems?out of the norm relative to other?exchange participants, and I always worry that by singling out a few images?others will feel I did not?appreciate their submissions. That is not the case?at all. But I decided what the hell, no one has complained so far and I would?feel?remiss if I didn’t share my impressions with all of you :)

For starters, Nara’s two prints (Siesta and Water Falls) were?exceptional. I have been to Masai Mara several times, have seen scores?of?lions, and have never captured so engaging an image. I am truly envious. And?his beautifully composed and printed black and white?from the Chader Trek has?me considering exploring Ladakh the next time I escape to the Himalayas. All I?could think was damn, it?must have been a cold day trekking!

Jayanand’s Lurking Tusker really showcased his printing skills. I?am glad he included a small color version of the original in his data?sheet so?I could truly appreciate the final monochrome print.

Robert’s Homage to PC captured the spirit off Caponigro’s Two?Pears. Lovely printing. Perhaps he could be inspired by some of?Caponigro’s sea?shell or mushroom images next time around :)
?
Robert’s Assemblage made me change my mind about smartphone?photos. Very arresting composition.

Josh’s Sheep Farmer conveyed so much warmth and happiness. And the?dappled lighting was surprisingly effective.

S. Prabhakaran’s print of the older woman walking in Padum village?captured her with grace and dignity. And it only heightened my?desire to do?some trekking in Ladakh.

Lastly, Rick’s Trichocereus Cactus was an intriguing image with?such abstract characteristics I first thought it was a computer?generated?image. Fabulous! I have thoroughly enjoyed all his color prints of flowers, but?this was a delightful deviation.

?
I feel blessed to be a part of this exchange and I thank Gary for?the splendid job he does making it all come together. And I thank all of?you as?well for your consistently rewarding bimonthly submissions.

Steve ??

?

I just got back after a week out of town and found the latest?exchange prints waiting for me. There have been many excellent?exchanges in the?past few years but this struck me as one of the strongest. I always debate?whether to post any comments - it seems?out of the norm relative to other?exchange participants, and I always worry that by singling out a few images?others will feel I did not?appreciate their submissions. That is not the case?at all. But I decided what the hell, no one has complained so far and I would?feel?remiss if I didn’t share my impressions with all of you :)

For starters, Nara’s two prints (Siesta and Water Falls) were?exceptional. I have been to Masai Mara several times, have seen scores?of?lions, and have never captured so engaging an image. I am truly envious. And?his beautifully composed and printed black and white?from the Chader Trek has?me considering exploring Ladakh the next time I escape to the Himalayas. All I?could think was damn, it?must have been a cold day trekking!

Jayanand’s Lurking Tusker really showcased his printing skills. I?am glad he included a small color version of the original in his data?sheet so?I could truly appreciate the final monochrome print.

Robert’s Homage to PC captured the spirit off Caponigro’s Two?Pears. Lovely printing. Perhaps he could be inspired by some of?Caponigro’s sea?shell or mushroom images next time around :)
?
Robert’s Assemblage made me change my mind about smartphone?photos. Very arresting composition.

Josh’s Sheep Farmer conveyed so much warmth and happiness. And the?dappled lighting was surprisingly effective.

S. Prabhakaran’s print of the older woman walking in Padum village?captured her with grace and dignity. And it only heightened my?desire to do?some trekking in Ladakh.

Lastly, Rick’s Trichocereus Cactus was an intriguing image with?such abstract characteristics I first thought it was a computer?generated?image. Fabulous! I have thoroughly enjoyed all his color prints of flowers, but?this was a delightful deviation.

?
I feel blessed to be a part of this exchange and I thank Gary for?the splendid job he does making it all come together. And I thank all of?you as?well for your consistently rewarding bimonthly submissions.