Category Archives: history

… and the ugly

Posted on June 24, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. George Dunbar sent me a brief note the other day along with the image shown at left. George noted, “Occasionally, the browsing of a photo-archive will produce an eye-stopper based solely on the very poor condition of the preserved image”. … Continue reading →

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the why and wherefore

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Hands down, Leitz had a winner on its hands when they launched the Leica M series with the flagship M3 model in 1954.  The M series covered the issues professionals had with the screw mount Leicas. Design of the … Continue reading →

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Swifties

Posted on June 19, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. As a youth, I had a neighbour who had a collection of the old Tom Swift books (original series) which he offered to let me read. I was only allowed one book at a time and had to return … Continue reading →

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transition

Posted on June 18, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Digital photographers – pro or amateur – use a camera with a digital sensor to capture images and a computer to save, adjust (develop), and print the images. In ‘film’ days, a ‘film’ camera used metal plates, glass plates, … Continue reading →

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the 49th

Posted on June 17, 2023 by Robert

Toronto.  In school we were taught that the 49th parallel out west forms a boundary between the States and Canada. Do a search for 49th and you can see a rich pile of data on what was really not such … Continue reading →

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some thoughts on Portraits

Posted on June 15, 2023 by Robert

Toronto.  When you look carefully at the portrait of Éva Gauthier, the young patron of M Topley appears to be a three dimensional study with her features carefully modelled. This is accomplished by careful use of the lighting. Francois Deslauriers … Continue reading →

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foul-play

Posted on June 11, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. This c1920 portrait of a child, Henri Groulx, sitting next to a hen and smoking is from the image collection of the ‘Library and Archives Canada‘. Discovered by George Dunbar, it is another reminder of the many historic photos … Continue reading →

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I, Robot

Posted on June 10, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. In a March, 1950 article in Popular Science magazine, a “Robot” was shown in a military darkroom. The gadget processed 8×10 colour negatives. A time was MANUALLY set for each bath, then the Robot took over, dunking the films … Continue reading →

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leaping’ lizards, Sandy!

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. … as Little Orphan Annie often said to her mutt … This article from the start of 1950 reports a colour projector for less than a sawbuck! While the inexpensive bakelite device projected Kodachrome slides, there was a small … Continue reading →

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moonshot

Posted on June 8, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Nearly 54 years today, on July 21, 1969, our world changed forever. Exciting news – man first walked on the moon. This photo, of Buzz Aldrin was taken by Neil Armstrong with a 70mm ‘Lunar Surface Camera’. Science students … Continue reading →

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