Author Archives: Robert

not just a pretty face …

Posted on May 18, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Collectors usually prefer to acquire a pristine example of a particular camera model. That is not always the case. Member Ed Warner picked up an Eastman View No1 a couple of decades ago as a ‘basket case’. Ed used … Continue reading →

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what ever happened to …

Posted on May 17, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. As you browse the old photos at our fairs, do you ever wonder what happened to the people you see? The image at left is from a dry plate I bought some years ago at one of our fairs … Continue reading →

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another, and another, and another …

Posted on May 16, 2024 by Robert

. .. Wow! Wall to wall cameras and photo goodies at our coming fair. The image at left is from our spring 2017 fair at the ‘palace’. Come on down on the 26th  and see what you can find to … Continue reading →

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powder … POOF!

Posted on May 15, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. The early light sensitive media were far too insensitive for dusk, night or  indoor shots (studios used long exposures, a means to hold the subject very still,  and large windows, ideally facing north, to let in copious amounts of … Continue reading →

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Triumph of the Image

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. My good friend, George Dunbar, recently dropped me a line mentioning a NY Times article about at a Museum in Belgium. The article, titled, “Triumph of the Image” is an archived writing by Luc Sante. George writes, ”  A … Continue reading →

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you’re stringing me on …

Posted on May 13, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. … a comment that may have entered the mind of an 1888 photographer seeing Eastman’s ad for his new camera. Before the Kodak was offered, cameras were mainly large, heavy devices that took only a few shots at most. … Continue reading →

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June Bug

Posted on May 12, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Entomology is the science of bugs. An offshoot of photography is close-up shots of bugs and bug parts for books, magazines, education, study, etc. Each spring we experience white grubs just below the surface. Skunks consider them delicacies and … Continue reading →

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wild blue yonder

Posted on May 11, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Even before airplanes, photographers took aerial shots. Hot air balloons were the basis for the first aerial shots. Perhaps Nadar was the most famous hot air balloon photographer, taking photos shortly after the art was invented. When airplanes began … Continue reading →

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smoke and mirrors …

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. The Young-Helmholtz  theory of colour with three different wavelengths of rays in various combinations became the standard means to create colour images – even today in the digital world. Different camera designs were touted to place the three unique … Continue reading →

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fair is fair, my friend …

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. … so come on down to the Trident Hall on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Free parking, modest admission (students free), and good food. Plus  you can meet and greet old friends while you add to your collection/user gear! What … Continue reading →

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