Author Archives: Robert

taking a bite in the big apple

Posted on April 22, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. This photo was taken in 1932 by an unknown photographer,  It shows a bunch of skyscraper workers sitting out in space along a girder as they eat lunch high above NYC at a time when many skyscrapers were being … Continue reading →

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1906 – a bad year for San Francisco

Posted on April 21, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. We often feature photographers here. This time it is the German/American Arnold Genthe. He had the fortune (misfortune?) to be in San Francisco in 1906 when a devastating earthquake struck California near that city. Genthe’s photos are available on … Continue reading →

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the Jack Roy of photography

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Jack Roy used the stage name of Rodney Dangerfield. As Dangerfield, his catch phrase was, “I don’t get no respect”.  The vast majority of professional and amateur photographers viewed Polaroid in the same light. Polaroid had very innovative cameras … Continue reading →

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Yousuf Russia LIFE 1963

Posted on April 19, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. One of our most famous portrait photographers of all time was Karsh of Ottawa. Some members strive to collect portraits taken by Karsh. One member – Shelton Chen – even wrote and published a book of Karsh Portraits. In … Continue reading →

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just before dawn

Posted on April 18, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Hard on the heels of its ISO 8 monochrome film, Lomography has announced Babylon – its ISO 13 film, another dark, moody monochrome beauty with marginally softer contrast. If you are into film, take a close look  at what … Continue reading →

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gearing up for great pix

Posted on April 17, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. In the early decades of photography, the media were so slow a hat or lens cap worked just fine to control exposures. Lenses were left open or used waterhouse stops inserted into a slot in the lens barrel until … Continue reading →

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the last picture show

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Over a century ago, it was discovered that a rapid sequence of still images would seem to show motion. This phenomenon was based on human  “persistence of vision” which neatly fills in the brief gap between images. This concept … Continue reading →

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diversions

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. We all need a bit of diversion just now in light of the pandemic that has all us law abiding folk house-bound. Photographic Canadiana editor Bob Lansdale sent along a suggestion that we visit a French site with oodles … Continue reading →

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binocular vision

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. My first visit to Toronto Camera was in 1960 when they were on Church Street. I remember buying a Hansa Enlarger and Braun slide projector plus some chemicals and paper. I also picked up a copy of their July … Continue reading →

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plus ça change

Posted on April 13, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. It is said that the more things change, the more they are the same. Like the Zeiss Sonnar lens for example. Larry Gubas in his massive text “Zeiss and Photography” shows the Sonnar as it was initially sold in … Continue reading →

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