SILVER TYPE EXCHANGE
FILM CAMERAS & TYPEWRITERS
This year, 120 LOVE launches “Silver Type Exchange.” In this one-time event, participants will be assigned a partner or “pen pal” and will send each other by mail a photo printed in the darkroom along with a typewritten narrative of their silver gelatin print. Participants are free to decide the size of the print(s) and length of the letter. Any film format is acceptable. 110, 135, 120, 4x5, 8x10, etc
Just to be 100% crystal clear, participants who join Silver Type Exchange will send a photo shot on film, printed in the darkroom, and a typewritten letter to their partner using the post office - not e-mail. : )
I DON’T HAVE A TYPEWRITER!
No problem! Although the original concept is to celebrate a union of film cameras and typewriters, we want to put more weight on the photography aspect of this event, and encourage anyone who enjoys darkroom printing to join and share their photo(s) with someone from around the world who has the same passion. For those who do not have access to a typewriter or wish to write a letter by hand, there will be a separate group called “Silver Write Exchange.” The process will be exactly the same as “Silver Type Exchange” except that participants in this group will be paired with others who also do not use typewriters. Pencils, pens, quills, fountain pens, calligraphy are welcome.
P.S. We have nothing against computers.
I CAN’T SPEAK, READ OR WRITE IN ENGLISH.
No problem! We encourage anyone from anywhere around the world to participate. There are many paired variations that we foresee and are too complicated to cover, e.g. a participant from Spain paired with someone Peru. Both are not comfortable to communicate in English. Solution: communicate with each other in Spanish! Participants do not necessarily have to use English. Someone from Poland paired with a participant from Indonesia; one is fluent in English, the other is not. Etc. These are things which are beyond our control, and we cannot offer solutions to language issues. We hope that participants will find creative ways to solve any communication barriers. Most importantly, the photo speaks for itself!
Practical suggestions:
Compose a letter (typed or handwritten) in your native language. Your partner might appreciate to receive a letter written in a foreign language. If you are a non-native English speaker, but comfortable to use English, feel free to send a letter in both your mother tongue and in English. There are no rules about this matter.
Provide a translation using Google translate as a courtesy to your partner. Feel free to provide a translation printed from a computer. You will be forgiven. : )
HOW WILL SILVER TYPE EXCHANGE WORK?
Step 1. Sign up by the deadline (2020 September 15). Be sure to indicate in the submission form subject below if you are participating in “Silver Type Exchange” or “Silver Write Exchange.”
Step 2. After all the participants have been gathered, pairs will be created by the organizers.
Step 3. You will receive by e-mail the name, mailing address, and e-mail of your partner. You should receive an e-mail between September 20 ~ 23.
Step 4. Send your partner your silver gelatin print and letter whenever you are ready. Please note that due to COVID-19, expect delays in postal delivery service. If your country’s postal service has suspended delivery to your partner’s home country, please inform 120 LOVE (info@120love.me) and your partner by e-mail.
Step 5. (Optional) Send us by e-mail a photo of the silver gelatin print and letter you received so we can include your image for a future news post on our website. Our tentative plan is to conclude this event by the end of the year at the latest.
I WANT TO JOIN SILVER TYPE EXCHANGE!
To participate in the 2020 SILVER TYPE EXCHANGE, please fill out the form below. Deadline 2020 September 15 (JAPAN STANDARD TIME). Note: the information below will be shared only with your partner for this event.
If you have any questions prior to joining this event, please contact here: info@120love.me
We look forward to your participation!
#silvertypeexchange
Dedicated Facebook group here.
Silver Type Exchange Supporters List
“We operate one of the world's last remaining optical printing labs. Our brick and mortar facility is equipped and ready to handle all of your optical printing needs.” Based in Portland, Oregon, USA + online shop Click here to visit Blue Moon Camera and Machine. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
For typewriter fans in Japan, please check OGAWA SHOKAI for service, repair, ribbons and other accessories. Based in Yokohama, Japan + online shop. Click here to visit OGAWA SHOKAI. Contact by e-mail in Japanese and English. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.
