Category Archives: history

fast photo prints in 1924

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. In the days before the end of the broad popularity of film, you could take your exposed colour rolls to a fast film service outlet like Black’s or Japan Camera and see the prints in an hour. In the … Continue reading →

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ya got mail

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Any group or society needs to have a list of its members, including photo historical societies. Our society was founded in late 1974 and began to issue a regular newsletter/journal in March 1975. Most members are paying members. That, … Continue reading →

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photographica c1925

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. The magazine Science & Industry addressed the wide audience of tinkers and experimenters (mostly boys and youths) and as such it included a wide range of things. In this example article, a camera is shown, but unnamed. The take home … Continue reading →

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making it better

Posted on September 20, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Flashcubes had four tiny flash bulbs and allowed four flash shots by rotating 90 degrees after each shot. Magic cubes looked the same but were ignited by mechanical energy instead of batteries. In 1967, Honeywell made two flashcube alternatives for … Continue reading →

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a dash of flash

Posted on September 19, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. In the early days of flash, these high speed demons  emulated flash bulbs – you set the aperture, and shutter based on subject to camera distance, film speed rating and shutter syncronization maximum speed. All this changed with Honeywell’s … Continue reading →

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follow da money

Posted on September 18, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. When I was a kid, magazines were rife with ads offering ways to get rich. These ads made it seem so easy. The ad at left, was aimed at wishful future photographers. The ad even promised a free “professional … Continue reading →

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another dimension

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Paintings and regular photos are done in two dimensions. Careful use of shadows (lighting for photos) give a more modelled view of the subject. Most humans have two eyes 2 to 3 inches apart giving two images of any … Continue reading →

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if it moves, shoot it …

Posted on September 14, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. An old military saying was, “If it moves salute it; if not, paint it”. My colour blind uncle was a painter on a military base after the end of WW2. He told me the paint tins were marked to … Continue reading →

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the importance of being a photographer

Posted on September 13, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. The internet, streaming services, and television have a voracious appetite for videos. A century or so ago it was magazines and newspapers with the heavy appetites for still images and drawings. Any time before 1839, your ancestor had to … Continue reading →

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flash … bang …

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. In the 19th and early 20th century indoor and night photography required flash for a decent exposure. Unfortunately, the magnesium powder that created a bright light when ignited was unstable and unless great care was taken, it would suddenly … Continue reading →

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