Category Archives: history

a bar walks into an archive …

Toronto. … well, you may know the story. If not, my good friend, George Dunbar, offers this wording from the LAC up in Gateaux, QC (once called Hull), “Library and Archives Canada (LAC) – 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of … Continue reading

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a day in the far north …

Toronto. I received an email a few weeks ago from my good friend and fellow PHSC member, George Dunbar, about the late Canadian Photographer Richard Harrington. A book of his Arctic photographs taken around 1948-1953 was featured in Canada’s History … Continue reading

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I, said the photo, beginning to fade …

Toronto. Digital technology brought with it many amazing changes to the photo industry. One of which is the plethora of software tools available today to improve and resurrect old photographs – along with an ethical issue. My long time contributor … Continue reading

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the Scots who pioneered photography

Toronto. George Dunbar writes, “The Scots Who Pioneered Photography” [is] A BBC review of a 2017 show at the National Galleries of Scotland. Many unique and unusual images here.” Indeed, this fine 2017 review brings to mind many Scots famous for … Continue reading

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did ja ever …

Toronto. … see any of deez? When photography began some enterprising folk opened studios to make and sell a ‘likeness’. People wore their Sunday best clothes and flocked to the local studio for a family portrait which was pricy but … Continue reading

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studio daze

Toronto. When it took some skill to capture an image for a special event, many folk chose to visit a studio. This image was shot in just such a studio in Southern England around 1917 – over a century ago. … Continue reading

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mon dieu! une autre Sept!

Toronto. Like the Ansco Memo, the French camera called the Sept, uses 35mm cine film. A 1920’s camera, it is spring-wound and uses a 5m length of cine film in a unique cartridge. Originally an Italian design, it was made … Continue reading

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one grand

Toronto. A few days ago, Wendy Elliott wrote the article “Continuing the health-care work“. Her article is on Saltwire in the Opinion section of its Atlantic Canada file. To read the article you will need to sign in with your … Continue reading

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pushing all buttons

Toronto. The invention of the dry plate in 1871 opened the door to sub-second exposures in sunlight through a normal photographic lens. And with sub-second performance came a need for shutters. And with shutters came a need for shutter buttons. … Continue reading

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cute as a button

Toronto. Professionals in the 19th and early 20th century chose a camera size such that the final print was a contact print, and generally not an enlargement from the negative.  As movies grew in popularity, some manufacturers realized that a … Continue reading

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