Category Archives: history

a portrait for peanuts

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. A portrait captures not only the subject, but the ‘essence’ of the subject. It is a rare attribute for a photographer. Yousuf Karsh in Ottawa was one such photographer known world wide for his arresting portraits of the famous, … Continue reading →

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bridging the gap

Posted on December 6, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Niagara Falls has always been an attraction – one way or the other. InFebruary, 2011, we were enchanted by a talk on Niagara given by Dr Norman Ball. His talk was titled, “Niagara Falls: A Story of Crazies, Improbabilities … Continue reading →

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the sky is falling …

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. … or so said Chicken Little in the Children’s fable (I learnt the English version … ). For many years film and glass plates were basically insensitive to blue light (orthochromatic) so clouds and sky exposed for the landscape … Continue reading →

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dancing with mr stanhope

Posted on December 4, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Did you know that microfilm images have been around since the beginning of photography? The role of John Dancer is recorded on the Collectors Weekly website under an article called, “Royalty, Espionage, and Erotica: Secrets of the World’s Tiniest Photographs … Continue reading →

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making a brighter day

Posted on December 3, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. In today’s world of smart phone ‘auto everything’ cameras, it is hard to imagine sensors so slow that sharp outdoor action shots are a no-no. But in the late 1940s, colour film was just that. Its sensitivity was abysmally … Continue reading →

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getting to know you

Posted on December 2, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. In the days of print, camera makers, photographic chemistry manufacturers, studios, etc. used printed media to promote their wares. In fact George Dunbar has used the various magazine ads and articles of yesteryear as a source of photographic history. … Continue reading →

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when we thought ten pounds was light …

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. In this day of smart phones, it’s hard to imagine an accessory that was about 10 pounds in weight and a six inch square ten inches high with a flashgun stuck on the top and a tripod thread stuck … Continue reading →

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the importance of being fixed

Posted on November 25, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. By 1802, the sensitivity of silver halides to light was known in scientific circles. Thomas Wedgwood managed to make ‘photograms‘ – silhouettes on leather but could not make the photograms permanent. The delicate images – even kept in darkness … Continue reading →

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disappearing heirlooms

Posted on November 24, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. We have all seen Victorian Photo Albums chock full of CDVs etc. at fairs, auctions, and sometimes used goods stores. The albums came along around the mid 1800s when cheap CDVs became available and a place to store and … Continue reading →

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celebrity endorsements

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. In the early days of minicams, makers used explorers and others who demanded perfection under extreme conditions. Post war. celebrities became popular in ads as if they used the cameras shown. Naive folk seeing the ad might choose a … Continue reading →

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