Category Archives: history

how much exposure?

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. The digital fraternity (and in the waning days of film) have no difficulty with exposure – the camera does the heavy lifting. It wasn’t always so. All of the 19th century (well at least when photography experiments began) and … Continue reading →

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dating those stereo cards

Posted on May 27, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. A common sight at our fairs is the ubiquitous ‘stereo card’. You know, the usually slightly curved cards with two similar images ‘glued’ to the card. Often the cards are undated and it’s difficult to estimate a date. Past-president, … Continue reading →

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…two for the money …

Posted on May 26, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. In issue 23-5 (spring 1998) the late Bill Belier began his long running column, “A Treasure From My Collection….”. Featured are two “No. 2 Folding Pocket Kodak” cameras from the late 1800s/early 1900s when George Eastman was putting the … Continue reading →

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what’s the telegraph got to do with it?

Posted on May 24, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. American Sam Morse planned to be an artist. He was in France in the late 1830s pursuing his artistry when he met Louise Daguerre in 1838. The following year, he enthusiastically embraced the Daguerreotype technology and brought the new … Continue reading →

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just another source, that’s all

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. From my first working days, I bought all available photo magazines to learn more about the art. The articles basically taught the ‘how’ of shooting and processing, with various camera reviews tossed in from time to time. My introduction … Continue reading →

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this is a strange one …

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. My friend and associate at the PHSC, Les Jones (sports photographer and author) sent me an email the other day, saying, some one was auctioning off , “A VICTORIAN MAHOGANY FLOOR STANDING STUDIO CAMERA WITH A HINGED BULLSEYE LENS … Continue reading →

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where have all the cameras gone II

Posted on May 12, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Short answer: to our spring fair, being held May 25th, 2025. Long answer: far more complicated. Cameras from dry plates on can be easily be found, especially at our events. Earlier daguerreotype and wet-plate cameras are much harder to … Continue reading →

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Hodgkinson & Butters Early Takers

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Graham Garrett, perhaps best remembers for his research on early Canadian Daguerreotypists, researched and wrote a number of articles for Photographic Canadiana. In issue 23-3 He wrote an article on the daguerreotype photographers Hodgkinson & Butters titled, “Hodgkinson & … Continue reading →

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… and a dash of flash

Posted on May 7, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Post WW2, many folk investigated ways to improve flash by incorporating Edgerton’s “Speed-light” concepts in a smaller container to allow electronic flash to compete with and eventually replace flash powder, bulbs, etc. Jim Miller of Downsview (now part of … Continue reading →

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home brew in 3D

Posted on May 5, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. From time to time we all want to leap on the 3D bandwagon and do some personal shots. In issue 23-3 the late Stan White shows us how he created a 5×7 3D camera. Stan’s article is titled, “Making … Continue reading →

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