Monthly Archives: September 2020

making it better

Posted on September 20, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Flashcubes had four tiny flash bulbs and allowed four flash shots by rotating 90 degrees after each shot. Magic cubes looked the same but were ignited by mechanical energy instead of batteries. In 1967, Honeywell made two flashcube alternatives for … Continue reading →

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a dash of flash

Posted on September 19, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. In the early days of flash, these high speed demons  emulated flash bulbs – you set the aperture, and shutter based on subject to camera distance, film speed rating and shutter syncronization maximum speed. All this changed with Honeywell’s … Continue reading →

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follow da money

Posted on September 18, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. When I was a kid, magazines were rife with ads offering ways to get rich. These ads made it seem so easy. The ad at left, was aimed at wishful future photographers. The ad even promised a free “professional … Continue reading →

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another dimension

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Paintings and regular photos are done in two dimensions. Careful use of shadows (lighting for photos) give a more modelled view of the subject. Most humans have two eyes 2 to 3 inches apart giving two images of any … Continue reading →

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the dark slide of the room

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Plate holders and later film holders became common in the later 1800s and early 1900s to protect sensitized emulsions from unexpected exposure to light. These clever gadgets, which came with a dark slide that could be removed for exposure … Continue reading →

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anything you can do …

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Camera collecting has no firm rules. Some folk collect quantity, some quality, and some both. The late Jim Matthew managed to collect some 3,000 plus cameras ranging from the inexpensive to the exotic. A marine engineer, Greater Manchester born … Continue reading →

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if it moves, shoot it …

Posted on September 14, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. An old military saying was, “If it moves salute it; if not, paint it”. My colour blind uncle was a painter on a military base after the end of WW2. He told me the paint tins were marked to … Continue reading →

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the importance of being a photographer

Posted on September 13, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. The internet, streaming services, and television have a voracious appetite for videos. A century or so ago it was magazines and newspapers with the heavy appetites for still images and drawings. Any time before 1839, your ancestor had to … Continue reading →

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PHSC News for September 2020

Posted on September 12, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Well, it’s September already and the infamous COVID-19 pandemic is still with us! Meantime, our editor extraordinaire, Sonja Pushchak, and her team have composed the first issue of PHSC News (20-03 – September 2020) after our non- break. Page … Continue reading →

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flash … bang …

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. In the 19th and early 20th century indoor and night photography required flash for a decent exposure. Unfortunately, the magnesium powder that created a bright light when ignited was unstable and unless great care was taken, it would suddenly … Continue reading →

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