Category Archives: history

celebrating niche enthusiasts

Posted on September 24, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. You may have noticed that a small group of photographers continue to use film, preferring its ambiance  over digital technology. It may be a novelty to you having old technology linger on, but this has occurred over the centuries … Continue reading →

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having a blast

Posted on September 23, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. While not directly related to photography – other than the book’s photos, this book was the basis for the recent movie whose release prompted  an unexpected box-office success. I first learned of Oppenheimer as a youth interested in the … Continue reading →

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magazine photography

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. A big presence in the magazine world of last century was LIFE magazine. The magazine, based in NYC, had its own stable of photographers. In October, 1998, a book by John Loengard, called “Life Photographers: What They Saw” was … Continue reading →

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a crash course

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. We are so accustomed today to full colour photos/videos if not the actual people, scenery,  concerts, theatre, etc, that we never give it a second thought. That was not always the case. Think about not having photography or photographers. … Continue reading →

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beyond macro

Posted on September 7, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. In the days of minicams (mainly 35mm),  subjects could be focussed from infinity down to about a metre. Any subject closer needed accessories like front element lenses, extension tubes, bellows, or special closeup stands. If a lens was asymmetrical, … Continue reading →

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memory makers

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. To a photographer, photography is a business. The end result is payment for the prints or photographs or album (more likely images, videos, or files these days). But to his subject or their family he is a ‘memory maker’. … Continue reading →

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jungle fever

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Jungles are unkind to photographers. Hot, humid, dangerous places full of fungus and mold. No place for cameras! In the late 1800s or so, manufactures made special ‘tropical’ cameras. Instead of a leather covering on wood (organic leather was … Continue reading →

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cool shots in the far north

Posted on September 4, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Photography in the far north was rugged for most of the year. Exposed to the elements, camera shutters froze; lenses misted over; and the cold could only briefly be tolerated by the photographer. This was eased for the few … Continue reading →

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horsin’ around

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. No foolin’ – a great way to discover the history of your town or city is through old photographs. And a great way to find old photographs is to visit your local archive – or the Library and Archives … Continue reading →

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play ball -1913 style

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Sports photographers are a segment of photographers like PHSC member Les Jones who are dedicated to taking photos of sports games and individual athletes (and often specializing in a specific sport). In the course of searching out photo history, … Continue reading →

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