Category Archives: history

jazzing things up …

Toronto. Any of you who also like jazz are familiar with Gene Krupa. In a brief video by the Morgan Library and Museum in New Zealand, Joel Smith, explains why three action portraits of people in the public eye capture … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on jazzing things up …

another thousand …

Toronto. Over a century ago Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay) had a strike by the Finnish Lumber Workers in the town. The written word about the strike, the issues, who won, what was won, etc. may be well forgotten, but … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on another thousand …

1,000 words …

Toronto. Have you noticed the trend? Our ancestors prided themselves on being able to read and write. As the decades passed, the written word in books, newspapers, magazines, etc. gave way to images in movies, newspapers, magazines, books, TV. In … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on 1,000 words …

a better mouse trap …

Toronto. In this September, 1962 advertisement, Pathé announced its ‘better mouse trap’ – the WEBO-M 16mm reflex movie camera intended for news reel shorts taken in the field. The ad appeared in ‘American Cinematographer’ of that year, placed by the … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on a better mouse trap …

one for the road …

Toronto. Even photographers get thirsty. This photograph is the property of the Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and Orillia. It was taken c1898 by the H. J. Goetzman Studio and shows the ‘Joe Cook & Co., Dome Road House hotel … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on one for the road …

the devil’s in the details

Toronto. George Dunbar writes, “Controversial photo of John Turner, by Globe & Mail photographer Tibor Kolley, was published just before the 1984 election in which Brian Mulroney defeated Turner. “According to Steve Paikin (TVO interview, Sept. 5 2022): Soon after … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , | Comments Off on the devil’s in the details

value of a photo

Toronto. Today, we take photos for granted. Every smartphone comes with a camera. Dozens of shots can be taken on a whim at no further cost to the owner of the little technical marvel. It wasn’t always so.  At its … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on value of a photo

ya seen one …

Toronto. …ya seen ’em all! Or so a cynic might say. And with reason. Broadly speaking, cameras, cars, computers – and any other mass produced thing  begins to look the same as its stable mates. To a critical eye, they … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on ya seen one …

low contrast 16mm colour in 1962

Toronto. Those of you who grew up with or use film know that the faster the film the lower the contrast. My first venture in colour was with Kodachrome when it was ASA 10. Hence it produced inky black shadows … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on low contrast 16mm colour in 1962

Apollo Remastered

Toronto. Over a half century ago, man first walked on the moon. In the Apollo flights, photography recorded the events. In those days photography was film based and suffered the usual amateur and film issues – focus, stability, exposure, resolution … Continue reading

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Apollo Remastered