Monthly Archives: June 2023

I, Robot

Posted on June 10, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. In a March, 1950 article in Popular Science magazine, a “Robot” was shown in a military darkroom. The gadget processed 8×10 colour negatives. A time was MANUALLY set for each bath, then the Robot took over, dunking the films … Continue reading →

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leaping’ lizards, Sandy!

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. … as Little Orphan Annie often said to her mutt … This article from the start of 1950 reports a colour projector for less than a sawbuck! While the inexpensive bakelite device projected Kodachrome slides, there was a small … Continue reading →

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moonshot

Posted on June 8, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Nearly 54 years today, on July 21, 1969, our world changed forever. Exciting news – man first walked on the moon. This photo, of Buzz Aldrin was taken by Neil Armstrong with a 70mm ‘Lunar Surface Camera’. Science students … Continue reading →

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treasure in the trunk

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Our spring auction and spring fair can be seen in the rear view mirror, if you look carefully. The next PHSC event is in July: the Trunk Sale – held in memory of one of our founders, the late … Continue reading →

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a tale of two ads

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. That persistent seeker of photo history, George Dunbar, spotted these ads by Kodak while browsing issues of Popular Science. George thought it interesting that Kodak chose to feature a young lady carrying an autographic Kodak camera in its January … Continue reading →

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casting away

Posted on June 5, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. When I was a kid around the end of WW2, my dad took me to visit a relative who had a metal casting business, Bill made sailing ship lights, ‘doggie’ banks, souvenir lights, etc. like the sailing ship light … Continue reading →

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Wolfgang Tillmans at the AGO

Posted on June 4, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. The PHSC saw presentations by AGO staff  member Maia Sutnik a number of times, both at the North York Hall and at the AGO building. we first met Maia when she was curator of the AGO’s Photography section. She … Continue reading →

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photography and real estate? really?

Posted on June 3, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Real estate is a huge user of photography, even today. In the 1930s, Realtors like CYRIL R. DEMARA CO. LTD. would own engraved cameras (the engraving shown is on a 1937 Leica IIIa). Others then and now would choose … Continue reading →

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for the record

Posted on June 2, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. One very special use of photography is recording problems for insurance or police. We often think of portraiture, street scenes and landscapes, but this important function gives visual detail not easily conveyed by the written word. Disasters like this … Continue reading →

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another one bites the dust

Posted on June 1, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Well, May 2o23 is but a memory. I guess the late Freddie Mercury said it  best (just ignore how he looks). Speaking of closeups, capturing photos of tiny objects at life size or even larger takes extra care with … Continue reading →

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