Author Archives: Robert

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 →

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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 →

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Trouble Finding Photo or Camera Collector Societies?

Posted on July 7, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. Our society (PHSC) has been in continuous operation for over 43 years. We are fortunate to have an enthusiastic and talented core of people willing to volunteer and do much of the heavy lifting. We offer monthly meetings (except … Continue reading →

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Our other Facebook page…

Posted on July 6, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. Louise Freyburger reminded a number of us on Wednesday that she manages TWO Facebook pages for the PHSC! The first is the link you go to when you click on the Facebook logo in the right hand sidebar. The … Continue reading →

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A Sensitive Thing

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. After 1851 when Frederick Scott Archer invented the first practical wet-plate process, you could tell a photographer from his blackened finger-tips. This situation came about by the practitioner’s need to sensitize his glass plate with a silver nitrate solution. … Continue reading →

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Can you spot the photographer?

Posted on July 4, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. What a difference a century makes! The millennials of today with their ubiquitous smart phones are everywhere! A commercial jet lands on the Hudson river? Click! Click! Click! … A car crash occurs on the 401? Click! Click! Click! … Continue reading →

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Frozen Motion

Posted on July 3, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. GADCOLLECTION in Paris is featuring an exhibit from July 4 – 16 of the photographs that won the Sony World Photography Awards this year. The winner of the Open Competition with Motion was Colombia Photographer Camilo Diaz with his … Continue reading →

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Pictures never lie… Well, hardly ever!

Posted on July 2, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. When I was a kid the common expression was “a camera doesn’t lie”. No longer. In today’s world our neighbours have elected a president whose first reaction to anything he feels is derogatory or against his rather ill-informed opinion … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday, Canada!

Posted on July 1, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. Member Harold Staats felt we should honour Canada Day this year with a portrait of Sir John A MacDonald, our first Prime Minister in 1867. This portrait was taken by our most famous photographic studio, Willam Notman. Notman began … Continue reading →

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A Governor General Takes a Shot

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. After George Dunbar sent me the LIFE photo of Lord Halifax which I posted yesterday, journal editor Bob Lansdale shot a note across suggesting a Canadian theme would be more appropriate given the coming celebration of our 150th anniversary. … Continue reading →

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