Category Archives: history

who the heck was Geo E Smith?

Posted on June 8, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. We all know about the contributions of Daguerre, Fox Talbot, Scott Archer, Dick Maddox, and George Eastman to photography. Most were eccentric, sometimes well-to-do individuals whose ideas have become sign posts along the way in photographic history. By the … Continue reading →

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before movies, radio, TV we had …

Posted on June 2, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. … stereo cards.  These often well photographed three dimensional cards gave folks  entertainment and education before the many ‘opiates’ of the 20th century became common place (as a child in the 1940s, I was enthralled with a relative’s ‘basket’ … Continue reading →

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the minute man in video

Posted on May 31, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Today’s photographers and snap-shooters know  any photos they take are displayed ‘instantly’, ready to be edited or sent world-wide as is. It wasn’t always the case. In late 1948, Dr Edwin Land first offered his famous B&W Polaroid 95 … Continue reading →

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credit where credit’s due

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. The PHSC from its beginning has been blessed with many well educated members – lawyers, professors, software designers, managers, professional photographers, etc. For example, issue 23-4 picks out Dr Marta Braun, professor of  Image Arts at Ryerson Polytechnic University (now … Continue reading →

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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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