Author Archives: Robert

when night falls …

Toronto. For many decades after the invention of photography, it was a daylight – bright daylight – pursuit unless one resorted to bright artificial lighting – flash powder, flood lights, flash bulbs, electronic flash, etc. Sensitive media of the day … Continue reading

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Autochrome and fashion.

Toronto. From the beginnings of photography until the early 1900s, photographic processes were all monochrome – unless the image was hand coloured! Around the turn of the 20th century, a variety of additive colour processes were invented, the best of … Continue reading

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Mr Goss, You make great pictures …

Toronto. …. with  a nod to Christie’s tag line for the idea. If you have ever crossed the Don Valley on Bloor or Danforth, you used the Bloor Viaduct shown here at left (July 18, 1917) while it was under … Continue reading

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once upon a time in Toronto …

Toronto. In our journal, editor Bob Lansdale worked hard to present Canadian photographic history, often drowned out by the cacophony from across the border. While older Canadians learnt British history; younger ones through products, movies, magazines, TV, etc. learned about … Continue reading

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so what is a camera …really?

Toronto. At left is a c1544 drawing of a camera obscura showing a solar eclipse. In the image, the  left wall has a pin-hole to let in the light. The right wall acts as a screen to allow the image … Continue reading

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a quest for collectibles

Toronto. Periodically I receive an email from USA based Michael Lehr Antiques (MLAntiques). The latest email announces their old photography images auction on September 6th. Details and offered lots are on their web site (see link here). A great opportunity … Continue reading

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wagon ho!

Toronto. Many old photo collectors have a ‘war’ category. One well known NYC photographer anticipated a demand  and decided he would photograph the American civil war. Sadly, interest in these war photos died with the end of the American civil … Continue reading

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remembering john vanderpant

Toronto. In issue 25-2, editor Bob Lansdale published Sheryl Salloum’s copyright 1999 article on the famous Vancouver based John Vanderpant titled, “John Vanderpant’s Vibrating “Voice” and Vision”. Ms Salloum’s article begins with this prècis. “From 1919 to 1939, the Dutch-Canadian photographer … Continue reading

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of mouse traps and man

Toronto. Have you ever thought about how photography came about? In early January of 1839, Daguerre felt he had perfected his process enough to have it noted in the French newspapers of the day. Some more modern articles consider the … Continue reading

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yikes! we missed the anniversary yesterday

Toronto. Serious photography historians and collectors know what is meant by a Daguerreotype. In early January 1839, French newspapers published the electrifying news that Louise Daguerre had discovered a way to capture a scene by sunlight and make the image … Continue reading

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