Author Archives: Robert

a phoenix moment …

Posted on October 5, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Past president, author, sports photographer, etc., etc., Less Jones, sent me an email the other day noting Kodak’s ‘Phoenix‘ moment. The article was recently published in the NYT International Weekly, but since I do not have a current account, … Continue reading →

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on collecting old medical photos

Posted on October 4, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. One of the earliest medical photos around seems to be this re-enactment of the first operation at the Massachusetts General Hospital under ether (taken by  Southworth & Hawes). According to the Massachusetts General Archives, a second re-enactment was taken … Continue reading →

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Our Fall Fair Oct 19th

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Robert

Toronto.  Treasurer John Morden created this tasty poster for our fall fair this month. Details should be clear but if you do have any questions, drop Mark or Clint a line at fair@phsc.ca.

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essence of beauty

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. James Esson founded his photographic studio  in the tiny village about an hour today west of Toronto. The village of Preston, Ontario, since absorbed in larger communities, had a population of some 1,400 souls in 1884. The history of … Continue reading →

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chasing storm photos …

Posted on October 1, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. One interesting category of old photos are those displaying storms. For all the 1800s and early 1900s, Our sensitive media were likely far too slow to capture storms as they occurred. More often the aftermath was captured. At left … Continue reading →

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my lord …

Posted on September 30, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. I often thought a sub-set of old photo collections could be religion – buildings, people, artifacts, etc. An example is this c1968 shot of St Joseph’s Oratory on Queen Mary Road at Cote des Neiges in Montreal. This remarkable … Continue reading →

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it’s a small world after all!

Posted on September 29, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. The image you see at left is the 2005 winner of Nikon’s Small World competition. The competition is open to all for macro images shot through a microscope.  The photo is a magnified view of a house fly head … Continue reading →

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some thoughts on construction

Posted on September 28, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Have you noticed that many things take on the construction skills of the day? As a kid, radio chassis and cameras were often manufactured in metal. Parts were held together by screws and rivets. This applied to cars, kitchen … Continue reading →

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everyday, it’s getting closer …

Posted on September 27, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. … our fall  fair, of course! The fair arrives on Sunday, October 19th, 2025 at the Trident Hall in Toronto’a west end. Lots to see; lots to buy. A great opportunity to add to your collection. Free parking at … Continue reading →

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it’s fall! it’s CAMERAMA time!

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Hey gang! Gary’s show for the fall is this Sunday, September 28th!

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