Category Archives: history

flash for cash

Posted on January 8, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Post war there was a pent-up demand for commercial products. Cars were in short supply; telephones had a wait list while new cables were added; and many other goods were similarly in short supply. New ideas popped up everywhere … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on flash for cash

when a print in 60 seconds was fast!

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. What a heady time! WW2 was over a decade earlier; improvements in photography came fast and furious, and everyone wanted to get in on the game. Faster films; more colour options; better lighting; flash bulbs; portable electronic flash; etc. … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on when a print in 60 seconds was fast!

remembering Elliott

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. The photograph at left was taken years ago by talented Magnum photographer and filmmaker, Elliott Erwitt. Elliott died just over a month ago at 95. In the spring of 2011, on the occasion of Mr Erwitt receiving ICP’s “Infinity … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on remembering Elliott

to smartphone or not to smartphone

Posted on January 4, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. … with apologies to Will Shakespeare. Over many posts I have commented on using a smartphone camera. While I personally use the now out-of-date iPod Touch camera and its 8mp sensor; our Samsung smartphone sensor has a greater mp … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on to smartphone or not to smartphone

smart lens …

Posted on December 31, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. We are familiar nowadays with smartphones, but what about a smart lens? Just over a century ago (1922), the lens shown here went to Australia to aid in proving a theory published in 1916. Another example of the valuable … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on smart lens …

take a squint …

Posted on December 30, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. … at the Logy Bay giant squid c1873. 150 years ago last month this photo of a giant squid put to rest the tales of sailors and fishermen, or so the CBC reported. The beginning of the CBC article … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on take a squint …

a disastrous time

Posted on December 29, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Do you remember 1906 and the massive earthquake that hit San Francisco? As I have often said, photography brings events and history to life down through the ages. There is a fault line that runs all the way to … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on a disastrous time

boxer

Posted on December 26, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. And here we are once again at an official boxing day! To commemorate this event, at left is an old film box camera from a recent auction lot. Box cameras are the basic camera design: a fixed focus lens … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on boxer

t’was the night …

Posted on December 24, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Christmas eve again. That magical night loved by all children when ‘Santa’ drops by with gifts for all the children on his list. We at PHSC wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on t’was the night …

a subjective choice

Posted on December 23, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. We are about an hour’s drive from one of the world’s most famous falls – Niagara. The photo at left is from the late 1970s on Kodachrome transparency film. In spite of its slow speed and high contrast, Kodachome … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on a subjective choice