Category Archives: history

a crick in the neck

Posted on October 13, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. In the days of pathetically slow emulsions, devices like the head clamp were used in studios to ensure the subject remained motionless for the time needed to get a decent exposure. Once emulsion speeds reached the sub-second levels these … Continue reading →

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drawing from Dags

Posted on October 12, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. We had the pleasure of hearing speaker Philippe Maurice from Alberta back in November, 1996. In issue 17-3 Philippe has an article titled, “The Artist’s Hand – Engravings Based on Daguerreotypes”. This harkens back to Daguerre’s original idea for … Continue reading →

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a commercial focus …

Posted on October 11, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Issue 17-3 has an article on commercial  photography by Toronto’s City Archivist, Steve MacKinnon. The photo at left shows the lack of sky detail in early work when all films were orthochromatic (insensitive to red and barely sensitive to … Continue reading →

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bang! you’re shot …

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. The late 1930s saw the rise in so called subminiature cameras with the Minox arguably the best known. To stand out, the Doryu company in Japan marketed this novel submini that used 16mm film. The one shown at left … Continue reading →

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disaster shown in stereo

Posted on October 7, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. In issue 17-3, Bob Wilson’s ‘image’ column features his article titled, “Terrible Accident on the Great Western Railway” and shows a stereo view of the 1876 wreck (see left). Bob begins his tale, “The above title is the main … Continue reading →

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a “something” camera

Posted on October 3, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Did you ever see a one-off camera? Bill Belier found such a beast that was once used in a studio. In issue 17-2 Ev writes and illustrates this captivating find by Bill Belier in an article titled: [Identify] Bill’s … Continue reading →

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Micklethwaite Captures U of T Ruins

Posted on October 2, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. In issue 17-2 Bob Wilson featured a local disaster in his “Image of the Month” column. In 1890, the east wing of University College on the U of T campus was ravaged internally by fire, a definite threat back … Continue reading →

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making things really big …

Posted on October 1, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. In issue 17-2 the late Robert Wilson has a column titled, “Pages From the Past”, This particular column’s article is titled, “Tele-Photo Combinations By C. Francis Jenkins”. The article is reprinted from, “Photographic Mosaics published in Washington, D.C. by … Continue reading →

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conserving old photos

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Many of us have met Lincoln Ross during meetings, presentations, and fairs. In issue 17-2 Lincoln wrote an article called, “A Professional Approach to Conserving Photographic Material”. The article gives sound advice on ways to conserve old photos. Near … Continue reading →

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a container as a collectible

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Back in the days of film and glass plates, various chemicals were used as developers including pyrogallic acid. Ev discovered a pretty blue glass bottle that once contained pyrogallic acid. This brought back memories he discusses in issue 17-1 … Continue reading →

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