Author Archives: Robert

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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computer to the rescue

Posted on May 31, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. In the early 1950s we were blessed with very costly and very crude computers (and little idea of how they could be used). A decade later, massive ‘mechanization’ projects were underway to use computers to do the work of … Continue reading →

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snapshots and history

Posted on May 30, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Snapshots are photographs usually taken by amateurs, often by the only person in the family who routinely records events and family members. Without such photographs, we may not remember how family members looked as they grew. If not captured, … Continue reading →

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Volleyball, anyone?

Posted on May 29, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Most of us can remember the photograph in the late 1800s showing dignitaries at “the last spike” in the CPR line connecting BC with the rest of Canada without need to detour down into the States. In this case, … Continue reading →

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goin’ to the fair …

Posted on May 28, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Today’s the day folks. Hustle on down to the Trident Hall and visit the PHSC spring 2023 fair. At left you see an executive of the PHSC photographing a young lady (that year we had a display as well … Continue reading →

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trying for the gravy train

Posted on May 27, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. When TV hit the big time, radio and movies were predicted to die. Fortunately both survived TV. In any case companies relying on the movies tried to expand their market by hopping on the TV bandwagon. Among them was … Continue reading →

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when ‘BC’ meant battery-capacitor

Posted on May 26, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. One of the nagging things affecting the wide use of flash bulbs was the risk of having dying batteries when the old camera and flash were dug out to be used for an event. For a brief period of … Continue reading →

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