Category Archives: history

capturing the essence …

Posted on March 14, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. What is the difference between a good photographer and a great one? In my opinion it is the ability to take a person’s portrait and capture the essence of the person. Bob Lansdale is one such photographer. Much of … Continue reading →

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where the girls are

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. I was just a tiny child when WW2 crashed on the scene. With so many men in the war, girls got the chance to do what was once a man’s job at home and there was no looking back … Continue reading →

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I am a Legend

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. As of July, 1989, the magazine Modern Photography finally quit publication. It was a long run beginning in 1937 as Minicam Photography to capture the nascent 35mm camera era. In its last year, the magazine posted a small article … Continue reading →

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we da north

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Robert

Toronto.  The PHSA’s  Northlight is featured once again as our special members-only supplement. As a member of the PHSC, you received this supplement Friday, the 5th of March. Vol 2-2 was sent out last Friday afternoon to all current members … Continue reading →

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Glencoe, Glencoe, What Art Thou Glencoe?

Posted on March 4, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. With apologies to Bill Shakespeare. When Brian Hudson enquired about his Canadian Camera (& Optical) Company camera, he set off quite a storm which hasn’t settled yet. I had an Empire State camera a few years ago. I added … Continue reading →

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shooting Arrows

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. One day as I sat on a runway at Toronto Peason, the pilot announced we could see the Avro Arrow to the side of our aircraft. Summarily scrapped by the Diefenbaker government, issues swirled around the decision – too … Continue reading →

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big yellow taxi

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Robert

Toronto.  In the days of film, the exposed film was processed and then printed. Prints and the developed film were returned to the owner. In the US, a company called Fotomat was formed. The company’s business plan was simple: Put … Continue reading →

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on being John Malkovich

Posted on February 27, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. We can all recall famous photographs by famous photographers. A Chicago photographer (Ukrainian roots) who goes by the name Sandro, took memory a giant step forward – he photographed recreations of these famous photos with a huge twist – … Continue reading →

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another way to skin a cat

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. It’s the 1970s and your camera doesn’t have a socket for the ubiquitous magicubes. Nor can it use Kodak’s super simple Instamatic film cartridges. What do you do? Well Yashica advertised that their cameras let you take indoor photos … Continue reading →

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taking a bigger slice of the pie

Posted on February 23, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. Post war, every company in the photographic  industry worked hard to gain a bigger market share. Kodak, as shown by this LIFE ad from the May 7, 1971 issue (p 65), grouped all the hot button ideas into one … Continue reading →

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