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** Welcome to Photography Forum Challenge for November 2013**

Do you remember waiting for the postman? 

Or 'snail-mail' as it is known these days.

Mail, parcels, postmen, mail boxes, post offices, stamps, delivery vehicles and aircraft - anything to do with mail!

 Lick you lips and 'post' your best!

Please remember:

Two images per member per week.

Image size: No larger than:
800pixels X 600pixels
and 200KB

 

Thank you for this great idea, CLive. I might be able to capture a postbox or a sign or something .:)))

Helle

An interesting idea, Clive.
I hope to be able to photograph some mailbox, although now they seem to so many cells of the bees! :-)

What an interesting challenge!  I'll have to keep my eyes peeled. 

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

La Quinta, California

 

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Thanks for being the first to 'post', Tara!

That looks like a stunning environment.

 

It's pretty amazing!  The Imperial Valley is an irrigated desert, so across the street from something like this date palm farm you might see the native sandy scrubland.  Weird place.

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Here's another one ... this was also out in the desert.  Not a great quality shot, but I took it out the window while we were driving down the road.  I'll keep looking!  :)

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Oeee - I like this Clive!

Great start Tara!

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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Welcome back, Dierbaar!  Hope you had a great time!

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Oh Tara - thank you! I had a great time and do have a new favourite game reserve. Will hopefully get to my pics at some stage - just have some catching up to do.

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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Here's one more.  I'm figuring the first two were for the first week, so this is my shot #1 for week #2.  Bill's daughters sent birthday cards ...

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

How lovely photo's to the item, dear Tara!
Such a cute selection of Bill's Birthday cards,
and I'm amazed that you desert is full of mailboxes, instead of cacti. :)

And...DANG, I didn't get the ebot in which Clive announced the subject of the challenge of the month of November.

I guess for me I have a good change to take a picture of our postman, or a female-postman, LOL!

How lovely Tara! Happy birthday to Bill. Life seems to pass me by at too rapid a rate at the moment!

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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How amazing, Steve. I have to think of your homepage-photo.

Cool!  So different from ours.

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Steve - what a lovely and bold post box! Great image!

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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I have been searching for postboxes like those, Tara.

A very belated birthday wishes to Bill too!

That Royal Mail box just had to feature, Steve!

the pros and cons of mr/mrs postman

the tax man

 

prutz is not amused! &*^%$#(

minder is meer

@ steve: 1th tought TARDIS

very well seen

minder is meer

Hi Martin, such a nice idea, I had a great giggle!

Had de belastingdienst je te pakken?! ;-)

This is one of our postmen (photo taken earlier this year a bit downwards in our street). He had to cycle against the force wind, it blew really very hard. I know this very well, because I was cycling too ;-)).

These four mailboxes are on the access road to a large farmhouse. Not much special. I've taken more photos of mailboxes, but they are still not on my computer.

Martin - LOL @ the tax man's post!

Jacomina - what delightful posts - both of them!

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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Thank you very much, dear Carin. :)

It's so interesting to see mailboxes from different parts of the world.  Jacomina, your "ordinary" post boxes near the farmhouse are quite different from ours, and therefore something I want to see!  :)

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

@ Tara: So nice from you to say that!
Your comment really suits your kindness, my friend :). Thank you very much.

@ Jacomina ... I'm quite sincere, and didn't just say it to be kind (although I love it that you see me that way!)  Thank you, dear one!  :)

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Quote - @ Jacomina ... I'm quite sincere, and didn't just say it to be kind  Thank you, dear one!  :)

I know, I know, and so glad, I know you !
:thumbupboth:

Hilo Post Office......   Aloha...Errol

Snail Mail Vehicle....   Aloha...Errol

Nice ones, Errol!  Of course you could have just posted your avatar and called it good.  :P  Call it "Retired Mailman."  :)

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

LOL Tara...  Now why didn't I think of that...   Aloha....Errol

Congratulations to you all for the wonderful images! :-)

A somewhat larger mail carrier. Taken recently with an old 1980s camera (Canon or Praktica) and what was probably a long since perished film.

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This time with "fresh" grainy 200 film, old (red) and new (white) livery.

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Errol and DarthJ - lovely images!

I better get cracking and post something quick before the month runs out!

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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I'm enjoying seeing everybody's "in the mail" shots!  Things are so different in different parts of the world.  We've been in the same campsite for two weeks, so nothing new but cactus and more cactus on this end.  :P

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

@ DarthJ, In the USA everithing look bigger then in Holland, even in the carriage of mail; I suspect, you have a larger size stamps, haha!

You did two interesting uploads.

@ So, Errol, you're a retired postman, if I understand it well. I don't know if you brought the mail by bike, as happened here? :)

Here two of my shots from nearby. I have more photo's, but unfortunately I'm too late.

This is one of our postmen from Postnl, with a crown.
Always at your service. ;-)

And here our neighbor's mailbox.

With us the mail is thrown through the door. (plump)

Quote :

 

" DarthJ, In the USA everithing look bigger then in Holland "

Let U even op de nummerplaten van die vrachtwagens ...

But if you want it really small, how about this 1/87th scale IFA W50 from the East-German "Deutsche Post" ?

 

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Trying to answer here in the Belgian language:

@ DarthJ : Allez, ut zin dienen Belgen, é! :blink:

I didn't know that Belgians living at such a large foot. ;-)

The Yellow German post is einfach 'Grosse Klasse'!
Thank you so much for your nice upload, DarthJ.

These large trucks are used for carrying mail between sorting centers.

Meanwhile I can show you a viewpoint most of you will never enjoy : from the inside of a post office. It's gone now ... modernised with open counters.

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So nice to see this photo, DarthJ.
It's a beautiful and bright room.

@ Jacomina ... I particularly like your neighbor's post box!  My word.  It's a work of art unto itself!

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Thank you Tara, I will say to our neighbor what you said on your word! :)
Unfortunately he is old and senile, so I have to wait for a good moment. When you talk to him, he can not stop talking back, and constantly is trying touches you, he really is a little creepy. :scared:

Oh dear!  Don't try to talk to him just to tell him your friend in America liked his post box.  :P  He doesn't need to know!  LOL!  Besides, he'll forget right away anyway.  Be safe, dear one!  :)

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

@Jacomina....I was a distribution clerk at Hilo Post Office assorting mail.  I also worked in the mark up section...forwarding and undeliverable mail.    Altho I have not seen anyone delivering mail with a bicycle here in Hawaii before, I think its a good idea.  Drop everyone at the top of the hill and let them work downwards.....With the hard times the post office is having, they should think about it....I had suggested this before.    Aloha

Quote - Oh dear!  Don't try to talk to him just to tell him your friend in America liked his post box.  :P  He doesn't need to know!  LOL!  Besides, he'll forget right away anyway.  Be safe, dear one!  :)

LOL, Tara! Yes, I will be safe, dear friend. Karel has given me instructions how to handle with him. ;-)

There was a time he concocted the craziest things to come into our home, talking the strangest things. I could not respond, other than to laugh, very nervous.
We now treat him properly, but short. Karel has made him clear, he can count on us, when he is in distress, but that we can't be close friends.

You are very right about forgetting things! He actually forgets a lot, even his name. He told us he is called "Gijs", but in reality, his name is "Jan". LOL!There are (short ) times he behaves normally, then I'll tell him about my American friend, who loves his mailbox. "He will go through the roof" (over the moon), and gonna to tell me everything about that box!

Have a great weekend, dear Tara and Bill, and don't fall into a cactus! :huh:

Quote - @Jacomina....I was a distribution clerk at Hilo Post Office assorting mail.  I also worked in the mark up section...forwarding and undeliverable mail.    Altho I have not seen anyone delivering mail with a bicycle here in Hawaii before, I think its a good idea.  Drop everyone at the top of the hill and let them work downwards.....With the hard times the post office is having, they should think about it....I had suggested this before.    Aloha

Thank you Sharky, to tell us about your work at the postal service, it's very interesting for me to know.
I had a great giggling. Because I understood you said, that in your country Hawaii, they had to throw the mail, or letters, from the mountain top to bottom.
I saw this happened for me: All mail whirling down, and the addressees had to figure out which letters were intended for them. :)

A big 'Aloha', to you and to Hawaii, my friend.

A more unusual postal vehicle : the promo-bus. Outfitted as a small post office. Another 1/87th model but the real thing is usually parked near those trucks I showed before. If it hasn't been scrapped meanwhile. The contest will have ended but maybe I can get you a picture next week or so.

 Quote :

" Drop everyone at the top of the hill and let them work downwards " 

Actually some of our post(wo)men have become rather athletic because they have to work upwards. Even beating professionial cyclists in small contests. They have to use a bicycle because mopeds couldn't take those hills, they would soon wear out and break down.

 

 

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Very nice, this moving post office DarthJ.
So nice to know, the postmen in Belgium have such good condition.
It saves out, visiting a sports studio.
Bravo!

@ Jacomina:  I'm glad you and Karel have found a way to handle your neighbor!  :)  We haven't fallen in a cactus yet, but have had to fix two flat tires on Mandy's stroller because we ran over sharp thorns.  :(  Fortunately it's an easy fix.  Right now she's outside with Bill.  He's sitting in a lawn chair reading a book, and Mandy is lounging in her stroller enjoying the view from "way up high."  :P

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Quote - @ Jacomina:  I'm glad you and Karel have found a way to handle your neighbor!  :)  We haven't fallen in a cactus yet, but have had to fix two flat tires on Mandy's stroller because we ran over sharp thorns.  :(  Fortunately it's an easy fix.  Right now she's outside with Bill.  He's sitting in a lawn chair reading a book, and Mandy is lounging in her stroller enjoying the view from "way up high."  :P

Hi Tara, I'm impressed with what might happen in the desert.
And now I see you before me, I see Bill lazy reading, and that little Mandy, enjoying the view. Well, and.. ..... .what does our Tara? This you didn't tell, my friend!
But I have to think of the good old avatar from our friend Helle. Do you remember, Tara?
:D

I do remember!  She said I was sneaky.  LOL!  :)  Is that what you are remembering too?  No, dear one.  I was sitting in front of the computer, talking to YOU!  :D

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Quote - I do remember!  She said I was sneaky.  LOL!  :)  Is that what you are remembering too?  No, dear one.  I was sitting in front of the computer, talking to YOU!  :D

What a cheeky monkey that dear Helle-friend of us is :ohmy:. I'm not quite sure I've seen this, but I guess so.
Knowing that you wrote to me, I saw before me the older avatar of Helle, the one with that face, always like typing with her nose, and then squinting at the monitor. :lol:

I love you(r sense of humor), dear one :)

Oh yes, I did like that avatar of Helle's.  :) 

The sneaky thing was a very long time ago, I think.  I used to take a lot of flower macros, and would walk around my neighborhood with my camera looking for pretty blooms.  If I thought I could get away with it, I'd go into my neighbor's yards and take pictures of their flowers!  LOL!  I would put a "sneak factor" on my post.  You know ... like ... "Sneak Factor High" if I'd walked up their driveway to the rose bushes or something.  If it was my own yard, I would say so, and say, "Sneak Factor Zero." 

One time in one of the threads, someone asked to see a picture of something sneaky, and Helle did a copy/paste of my avatar and posted that as the sneak picture!  :P  I laughed for a week.

I'm glad you told me you were thinking of Helle's old avatar!  I always enjoyed seeing it, and now I can see it in my mind quite clearly.  Thank you!  :)

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

LOL! Oh I like it so much what you're told.
I think you and Helle can make extra income as a therapist. Help people who suffer from depression.
With you two, this phenomenon would be out of the world in no time.

And laugh a whole week ( hahaha, without having a tummy afterwards ).
You will have been on cloud nine, I suspect.
:biggrin:

I'm so happy you think Helle and I are good for that!  :)  I'll drop her a note and tell her to come read all this.

:D

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Quote - I'm so happy you think Helle and I are good for that!  :)  I'll drop her a note and tell her to come read all this.

Oh, Yes!
Please, my friend, sent Helle a note, otherwise she will never know how famous she is!