Category Archives: history

the faraway hills

Posted on November 14, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. The OstLicht Gallery sends us this message via email. “We would like to draw your attention once again to the 24th OstLicht Photo Auction, which will take place on 19 November 2021 at 5 pm at the OstLicht Gallery. … Continue reading →

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George snaps Manitoba

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. The ladies from the CHPF spoke to us recently via ZOOM. The other day, our society president, Clint Hryhorijiw kindly copied me on this email from Nicole Plaskett sent to him and Celio Barreto, our programme and ZOOM expert. … Continue reading →

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a silent salute to Hell’s Angels …

Posted on November 11, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. We have all heard of the Howard Hughes (he of Spruce Goose fame) epic film, Hell’s Angels. But I wonder just how many folk knew it was basically a silent film with sound effects etc. and rewrites/shoots before its … Continue reading →

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lessons from the movies

Posted on November 10, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. Just picture the late 1920s. Movies were well established as silent entertainment media complete with musical accompaniment from piano to orchestra and all in-between. In 1928, the silents used body language and text slides to convey meaning. Actors could … Continue reading →

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a kokopelli camera

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. Before science burst the bubble, many gullible souls believed in ghosts, seances, and fairies This past summer, I did the above post linked to ‘fairies’ covering the infamous ‘Cottingley Fairies’ saga. Many well educated folk like Dr Arthur Conan Doyle, … Continue reading →

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transistor radios, TVs, trinitron, walkmans, and more …

Posted on November 7, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. Today we usually think of Sony as a TV and camera maker. They made their name in North America with a transistor radio and later the fabulous line of television sets and walkman portable tape players. When digital technology … Continue reading →

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one ringy-dingy

Posted on November 5, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. Most of us remember Lily Tomlin and her hilarious nasal rendering of an officious telephone operator. Today, few can even remember the time when we had party lines and local calls were connected by an operator. Today’s smart phone … Continue reading →

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all aboard the gravy train

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. In the post WW2 years, photography grew in leaps and bounds: new amateurs, colour, slides, movies, etc. and all with easier, better ways to succeed as a photographer. The Chicago company, SVE, too wanted to profit from the enthusiasm … Continue reading →

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a linhofty objective

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. I dream about the last century when I used film and had a darkroom. I was sold on 35mm back then, but still dreamed of larger format media and cameras. For many years, I wanted to own and use … Continue reading →

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really, David? a Realist?

Posted on November 2, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. The Stereo craze ebbs and flows reaching a peak about every 50 years. In the later 1800s and early 1900s it was stereo cards. A basket of cards plus a Holmes viewer took the place of television or movies … Continue reading →

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