Author Archives: Robert

the invention of movies

Posted on September 27, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. In North America, we usually think of Thomas Edison when considering that aspect of history. In Europe, credit is usually given to the Lumière brothers of France (of Autochrome fame). Actual work on motion predates photography when mechanical devices were … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on the invention of movies

controlling depth of field

Posted on September 26, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. As a general rule, the longer the focal length of a lens, the smaller its maximum possible f/stop and the less its depth of field. Conversely, the shorter the focal length, the greater the depth of field and the … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on controlling depth of field

noir et blanc

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. My good friend and our PHSC treasurer, John Morden, also collaborates with wife Sonja Pushchak on the very successful PHSC News monthly pdf newsletter. John writes, “Below is a link to a competition that Rita is having in her magazine … Continue reading →

Posted in activities-other | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on noir et blanc

fast photo prints in 1924

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. In the days before the end of the broad popularity of film, you could take your exposed colour rolls to a fast film service outlet like Black’s or Japan Camera and see the prints in an hour. In the … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on fast photo prints in 1924

ya got mail

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Any group or society needs to have a list of its members, including photo historical societies. Our society was founded in late 1974 and began to issue a regular newsletter/journal in March 1975. Most members are paying members. That, … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on ya got mail

photographica c1925

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. The magazine Science & Industry addressed the wide audience of tinkers and experimenters (mostly boys and youths) and as such it included a wide range of things. In this example article, a camera is shown, but unnamed. The take home … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on photographica c1925

who swiped my photo?

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Today, people are uploading their photographs in droves. Sadly, while this offers a far wider audience over the internet, it exposes the excellent and unusual to easier copyright violation. The BBC News via a column written on the 18th … Continue reading →

Posted in events | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on who swiped my photo?

making it better

Posted on September 20, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Flashcubes had four tiny flash bulbs and allowed four flash shots by rotating 90 degrees after each shot. Magic cubes looked the same but were ignited by mechanical energy instead of batteries. In 1967, Honeywell made two flashcube alternatives for … Continue reading →

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

a dash of flash

Posted on September 19, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. In the early days of flash, these high speed demons  emulated flash bulbs – you set the aperture, and shutter based on subject to camera distance, film speed rating and shutter syncronization maximum speed. All this changed with Honeywell’s … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on a dash of flash

follow da money

Posted on September 18, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. When I was a kid, magazines were rife with ads offering ways to get rich. These ads made it seem so easy. The ad at left, was aimed at wishful future photographers. The ad even promised a free “professional … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on follow da money