Author Archives: Robert

yikes! that’s big

Toronto. Around year 2000, digital technology took off with sensors only a few mega pixels in size. Look what the whiz kids have done about two decades later! Modern day smart phones use a 12 mp sensor plus a computer … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on yikes! that’s big

Photographic Canadiana Vol 47-1

Toronto. Our editor is at it again – its been a bit windy and soggy here in the big smoke. Bob Lansdale had this issue nearly ready weeks ago and has 47-2 well underway! Yesterday, members WITH an email address received … Continue reading

Posted in journal | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Photographic Canadiana Vol 47-1

picture perfect – Thaddeus Holownia book

Toronto.  I had an email from PHSC president Clint Hryhorijiw the other day. The email contained a link to this book release on a site called, “BK On The Scene“. The book post was dated April 21st of this year … Continue reading

Posted in book | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on picture perfect – Thaddeus Holownia book

light my fire

Toronto. Back to the very beginnings of photography, savvy studio artists used lighting to model their subjects, control contrast, and at just the right instant capture the fire or essence of each subject. Over the decades, books have proliferated with … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on light my fire

if not for you …

Toronto. … my lens would unscrew. Photographers know that the infinity focus setting sets the lens at its closest to the film/sensor plane. For close-ups, the lens is extended further from the film/sensor plane. Box cameras for film often had … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on if not for you …

making it big, making it better – again

Toronto. Cartes des Visite or CDVs came along in the early 1850s with wet-plate technology and stayed popular for about 15 years. The actual photograph, on albumen paper, curled into a tight cylinder making a stiff backing necessary. Cards of … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on making it big, making it better – again

Brandon Leung – Ryerson Thesis Winner for 2020

Toronto. I was pleased to hear from our 2nd Vice-president, Ashley Cook at the AGM this month. Ashley co-ordinates the review and selection of the Ryerson Thesis winner each year. In spite of the radical changes in society invoked by … Continue reading

Posted in people | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Brandon Leung – Ryerson Thesis Winner for 2020

a pretty little poser

Toronto. I bought this daguerreotype of a little girl around 1975 at one of our fairs from Bill Marshall of Deux Montagnes, Quebec. There was only a half case on it so the quarter plate image was priced under $10. … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on a pretty little poser

The Amalgamated Photo History Newsletters Vol 2-4 (April 2021)

Toronto. The Australian Back Focus issue plus some old articles are reproduced here in our special members-only supplement, this time its the June 2020 issue of Back Focus. As a member of the PHSC, you received this supplement Friday, the 23rd … Continue reading

Posted in journal | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Amalgamated Photo History Newsletters Vol 2-4 (April 2021)

Charlie Geschke dead at 81

Toronto. You may wonder who the heck this guy was and why his passing merits attention on a photographic history website. Almost everyone above ground and many underground have used his products over the years. Monday, April 19, 2021, I … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Charlie Geschke dead at 81