Author Archives: Robert

Graflex Journal Issue 2 for 2017 published

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. East coast American Graflex affectionado Ken Metcalf deserves a round of applause for his attractive and informative quarterly “Graflex Journal” which is offered free in pdf format. In his latest issue, 2-17, Ken provides a photo essay by our … Continue reading →

Posted in camera | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Graflex Journal Issue 2 for 2017 published

Come Fly with me – Falcon 1946 Ad

Posted on July 16, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. The other day my friend George Dunbar sent me an ad from a June, 1946 issue of LIFE magazine. For many years various vendors offered this and similar cameras to attendees at our fairs. The cheap plastic cameras used … Continue reading →

Posted in camera | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Come Fly with me – Falcon 1946 Ad

Monkeying About with Selfies

Posted on July 15, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. My thanks once again to the curiosity of George Dunbar who awakened my interest in this article from the Guardian. You may remember photographer David Slater. Back in 2011 David spent many hours training monkeys to keep their eyes … Continue reading →

Posted in people, photos | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Monkeying About with Selfies

Have you ever seen a Portrama?

Posted on July 14, 2017 by Robert

Toronto.  Have you ever heard about or seen a strange  Polaroid camera called the Portrama? I had a call the other day from John Linsky, one PHSC’s founders. John found this odd looking camera at our trunk sale last Sunday. … Continue reading →

Posted in camera | Tagged , | Comments Off on Have you ever seen a Portrama?

Do you hear what I hear?

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. That stange droning sound means awards for many, not a mosquito infestation! The CBC News reports (with images) the winners of the annual photography contest sponsored by Dronestagram and National Geographic magazine for the best drone photography. My thanks … Continue reading →

Posted in photos | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Do you hear what I hear?

Posters at an auction

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. I used one of the few (only?) photographic posters under the hammer at Swann Galleries on August 2, 2017. The poster (Sale 2453, Lot 81) advertises glass plates by Jougla, or in French Plaques Jougla.  It translates to “Night … Continue reading →

Posted in auction, miscellaneous | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Posters at an auction

Imitation… Flattery… and all that

Posted on July 11, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. Cameras basically offer a light-tight means to hold a sensitive media the correct distance from the lens, plus offering a means to allow a calculated  brief bit of light through the lens to properly illuminate the light sensitive media … Continue reading →

Posted in camera, people | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Imitation… Flattery… and all that

124th International Salon of Photography

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. The Toronto Amateur Photographic Association was formed in March of 1888. And a few years later in December 1891 it became the Toronto Camera Club. Many photographs taken by TCC members appeared in the epic book “Private Realms of … Continue reading →

Posted in activities-other, photos | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on 124th International Salon of Photography

On Learning Photography and Photographic History

Posted on July 9, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. I spent many years learning by trial and error how to make decent B&W photographs. Most of my learning came magazines and some how-to books, plus peppering knowledgeable friends with questions. My first book on the history side of … Continue reading →

Posted in book, people | Tagged , , | Comments Off on On Learning Photography and Photographic History

Kels of Vancouver in 1946 Pop Photography Ad

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. My thanks to my friend George Dunbar for bringing this to my attention. According to an ad for Graflex in the June 1946 issue of Popular Photography, William Kels of Vienna emigrated to Vancouver BC in 1940 and became … Continue reading →

Posted in camera, people, photos | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Kels of Vancouver in 1946 Pop Photography Ad