Category Archives: history

when the stars come out

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. My good friend and fellow PHSC member sent along a note with an image of  stars Mary Pickford and husband Douglas Fairbanks at Montreal’s French radio station CKAC in 1922, the year it first went on the air. “Pickford’ … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on when the stars come out

hop a bus, Gus

Posted on July 25, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. The photograph here shows a 1922 trolly bus on Merton Street in Toronto. The photograph is part of the vast collection at the City of Toronto Archives. As we have said many times before, archives are a rich source … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on hop a bus, Gus

on what basis?

Posted on July 22, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. George Dunbar wrote me recently regarding a new ‘horror’ book. George writes, ” For those who like horror-novels and photography too, this new book may be just the thing. “‘Silver Nitrate’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia apparently refers to the dangerous … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on on what basis?

once was not a hotel nearby

Posted on July 17, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. You may not recognize the area today, but in Notman’s day this building on the southeast side of King St (39-43 King Street East) was the studio associated with Montreal’s famous Notman Studio. Notman became renown for his studio’s … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on once was not a hotel nearby

a steamy day in old SK

Posted on July 16, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. George Dunbar sent me this photograph from ‘Canada’s History‘. George tells me that the website has a wealth of historic Canadian stories and photographs. Take a look at the site – you may find some interesting stories and photos … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on a steamy day in old SK

before we had Carousel projectors

Posted on July 15, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. When 35mm transparency projectors came along, a simple slide holder allowed a slide to be loaded while another was projected. The operator had to keep the slides in order for storage and correctly positioned for right side up and … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on before we had Carousel projectors

photography and a six foot atlas

Posted on July 12, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. How the heck do you photograph a rare atlas? Very carefully, apparently with lavish attention to detail, lighting, and preservation. The Open Culture site on May 11th, 2017 published an article by Ted Mills titled, “Timelapse Film Shows How … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on photography and a six foot atlas

the professionals

Posted on July 8, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Many of our members are professional photographers – working or retired. And many of those folk belong to the Professionals Photographers of Canada (PPOC). Amongst other things, the PPOC runs a photo contest and has a series of online … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on the professionals

clarifying a radical new process and camera

Posted on July 7, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Many of us recall the iconic Polaroid Land camera of 1948 and its amazing ‘picture-in-a-minute’ black and white in-camera printing process. The basic idea dates back to pre-war Europe (1939).  Successful retail marketing occurred with this  American-made Edwin  Land … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on clarifying a radical new process and camera

a tradition in the sky

Posted on July 4, 2023 by Robert

Toronto.  As I write this post on Canada Day when we too celebrate with fireworks (smoke and rain permitting), I am thinking of our good friends to the south who celebrate Independence Day with fireworks too. The photo at left … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on a tradition in the sky