Monthly Archives: January 2023

… and keep your camera dry

Posted on January 31, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. The wet-plate process became the primary process in photography for the next few decades until another Englishman, Richard Maddox solved its problems of slow speed, damp cameras, and the need for immediate exposure and processing. Maddox came up with … Continue reading →

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when wet-plate was king

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Of the two earliest photographic processes, most photographers chose to use the Daguerreotype. It was free (outside England), had the best resolution by far, and had good contrast. But it was limited to one plate unless the plate was … Continue reading →

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Hollywood in the Klondike – Book Review

Posted on January 29, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. About five years ago I did a post called, “Frozen in Time” about some movie reels discovered up in Dawson City. Since then Michael Gates has written a book about the find. Our good friend, “George Dunbar” managed to … Continue reading →

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flattop revisited

Posted on January 28, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. A few days ago I did a post on a February, 1950 ad for Kodak’s enlarger – the Hobbyist. Two months after that ad, Kodak did another one on the Hobbyist, this time explaining the way the Hobbyist ensured … Continue reading →

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egging it on

Posted on January 27, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. In the early days of photography, the idea of paper prints took hold. Thus the albumen print came into being. At its peak, photography was a major user of eggs. Albumen (or raw egg whites) was (were) used to stick … Continue reading →

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a hot time in the old town tonight

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. When I first saw this March 1950 ad for a Kodak lens that used Lanthanum, I immediately thought about the radio-active Leitz lenses I remembered reading about. To create unique glass characteristics, many glasses were melted with pinches of stuff … Continue reading →

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flattop

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Robert

Toronto.  Post WW2, Kodak made goods to be all things photographic ensuring any new comer to the hobby would automatically think ‘Kodak’ when outfitting his/her camera, darkroom, studio, etc. Enlargers were no exception. In the early 1950 ad shown, Kodak … Continue reading →

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a mystery stereo viewer made in Vancouver

Posted on January 24, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. A PHSC Member from Edmonton came across an unusual stereo viewer made by Stereo-Phot in Vancouver around the end of WW2(?). Brian writes, “I have a couple of binocular viewers made by the Stereo-Phot Company, Vancouver, B.C. and I’m … Continue reading →

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blues in the night

Posted on January 23, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. In the days of back and white films, prints were toned for artistic purposes and sometimes for protection. Gold toning helped protect the print and extend its life. We all remember sepia toned prints, The brownish colour was a … Continue reading →

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a light purple cast

Posted on January 22, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. In the days of colour films we used the correct transparency film or adjusted filters while making colour prints from colour negatives to attempt to get the correct (neutral) white balance. When digital images and tools like Photoshop came … Continue reading →

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