heavenly shower

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Robert

an 1833 woodcut of the 1833 Leonids display over Niagara Falls

Toronto. Each year as the world rotates around the sun, it passes through the comet debris known as the Perseids meteors. The best and most spectacular display of the resulting ‘shooting stars’ is mid August. While Astronomical  Photography was and is common, it is difficult to find the earliest date the Perseids were captured by a photographer.

Another impressive exhibition of ‘shooting stars’ is called the Leonids and appears about every 33 years so it will occur again around 2030 give or take. The image at left is an 1833 woodcut of the Leonids display over our Niagara Falls in November of that year (courtesy of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada).

Meantime , keep an eye or camera peeled for the Perseids this year – your image may be of historical importance in the future. Do a Google search for recent photographs.

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on heavenly shower

a lot of photos

Posted on August 15, 2023 by Robert

Lot 177 of the Fall Estate Auction. One of numerous photograph lots

Toronto. Some years ago I checked the member interests and about 15% of members collected mainly photographs. Almost all members – including me – seem to  have some old photographs around.

With the evolution of digital technology photograph collections are likely to increase. The Fall Auction of September 17, 2023 has a number of lots, such as number 177 shown here, that are photographs – in folders, cased, etc.

Be sure to mark the date and drop in to see the marvellous lots – photographs, Stanhopes, cased photos, etc. And for the camera folk there are lots with ultra miniature cameras, 35mm cameras, film cameras, digital cameras, and much more to augment user and collector alike.

See you at the auction!

Posted in auction | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on a lot of photos

light me up

Posted on August 14, 2023 by Robert

lighting – courtesy of Doug Hansgate

Toronto. When it comes to photography, the thing  that separates the men from the boys is lighting. Photographers who are light savvy can model their subject to bring out both plasticity and an air of mystery.

Doug Hansgate knows this well. He has a studio just across the border and has announced a  class called “Studio Lighting Class” to be held in his studio on August 19th (Saturday) from 9 am to 5 pm.

Whether you take or collect photographs this course will help. Sign up and visit Doug’s studio this month to see how lighting affects the photograph – either taking or collecting.

Posted in activities-other | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on light me up

train photography

Posted on August 13, 2023 by Robert

c1957 steam engine 6167 loading coal during winter station stop.

Toronto. For many decades travel by train was elite. Train travel gave way to aircraft in time and then passenger trains slowly disappeared for the most part. Most modern day trains are busy shipping goods across North America. A couple of decades ago I used Via Rail to go out to BC and back. Through southern Ontario the train used the old CPR rail line.

During his pursuit of photographic history, my good friend George Dunbar happened upon a Facebook account featuring Train Art. George writes, “A fine archive of train photos here“. While the site is American in origin, many items are common to Canada as are two of the largest North American rail lines: CN and CP. Many railway companies used photographers to record events and the photographs are now held in there archives.

The winter scene (an amateur photo) depicted here is at the old CNR Allandale, Ontario station about an hour north of Toronto. It shows a train from the big smoke taking on more coal as it travels west. Today, the station still exists, but as an historic site. There is  nearby stop for GO train service not for CNR – passenger or freight.

Do a browse on Google to see the variety of train photographs old and new. Also, train photos are another great reason to visit a local library or archive.

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on train photography

an auction gem – Nikon D60

Posted on August 12, 2023 by Robert

a Nikon D60 and lens – lot 199 at the Fall Auction

Toronto. As you may know, digital cameras have been around long enough that savvy collectors are adding them today at reasonable prices. Think about the value of truly old cameras and lenses today – far above the original price when new or when discontinued.

Our late editor, Bob Lansdale bought a Nikon D70 first announced in January 2004 (not a D60 from 2008) as his first DSLR. Bob used the camera for a few years as his main camera at PHSC presentations, executive meetings, etc. His D70 model came out about 4 years earlier than the D60 shown here (Lot 199).

Whether you want to add to your collection, find added user gear, or meet with friends old and new, come out and join us on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at our fall ESTATE  Auction. See this previous post for details.

Posted in auction | Tagged , , | Comments Off on an auction gem – Nikon D60

Auction Fall 2023 – September 17, 2023

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Robert

September 17 2023 Auction

Toronto.  Get ready for our Fall Estate Auction! It’s an INDOOR AUCTION on September 17, 2023 in Long Branch (south west Toronto) at the usual venue BUT at a slightly different time (see poster) – free parking and free admission.

This Estate Auction features goodies for both film and digital folk – photographs, cameras, lenses, accessories, books, and more. Come out and enjoy this event. Click on the AUCTION tab here or in the menu bar above for directions.

Everybody is welcome. Sorry, no Consignment lots at the door this time. These lots are all ESTATE – really good items, some rare these days. The fall auction  is just in time to let you augment your collection or user gear!

We owe Clint a big thank you for photographing and tagging the lots shown here (images arrived by SD card and email – more have just been added). Click on the montage below, then on the “Portrait of a Period” book (lot 33), and then on any lot icon to see it larger.

The photos in the slide show are in lot order from lot 33 to lot 460 (there may be some variation in the sequence of the thumbnails). Earlier photos went to lot 349 so the photos of lots 350 to 460 are new. Note: lots start at 33 with some gaps in lot numbers. This is shaping up to  be a really exciting auction with a very wide variety of lots – something for literally everyone!

MORE NEW LOT PHOTOS: This time (September 9th) lots 350 to 460 were added so we have photos for lots 33 to 460!  Please note that during the auction, the sequence of lots  is the auctioneer’s choice and will vary from the numerical sequence shown here.

Your left/right arrows will work to move from one enlarged photo to another. The red tags or hand written notations show the lot number. There are some 406 photos so they may take a few seconds to load. These photos were adjusted with Affinity Photo, Focus Magic and  for later lots, also with Topaz Photo AI (including version 2 for the last lots)- Enjoy!

Click above to see lots posted to date

This entry was posted in auction and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
Posted in auction | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Auction Fall 2023 – September 17, 2023

American photographer Arnold Newman pix at AGO

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Robert

Arnold Newman – self portrait c1981

Toronto. The AGO recently announced it is hosting, BUILDING ICONS: ARNOLD NEWMAN’S MAGAZINE WORLD, 1938-2000“. The exhibit opens October 18, 2023 and will run until its closing on January 21, 2024.

Anyone interested in photography must visit the AGO exhibition to see the works of this professional photographer whose photos are mostly 20th century but drifts into the current century.

Unable to get to the exhibit? Check your local library for books about Newman and his photography. Whether you collect images, actively shoot photos, or research photo history, Newman’s photos and story will be of great interest.

Posted in activities-other | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on American photographer Arnold Newman pix at AGO

aide-de-combat

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Robert

War Photographer Paul Tomelin c1952  courtesy of Legion Magazine

Toronto. The idea for this article comes from my good friend George Dunbar. The Legion magazine is online in both official languages. We mentioned war photographers in a number of earlier posts. Here we relate to the techniques of the photographers with a Canadian perspective.

Our Legion magazine this summer has a lengthier (and  interesting) article on the photographers who bravely recorded images of conflicts in “The Eyes of War” by Stephen J. Thorne.

The cover of Legion Magazine for this summer highlights Thorne’s article.  In the article are some memorable war photographs including the one from the Korean war by Tomelin.

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on aide-de-combat

September is Fall Auction Month

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. We are hosting our Fall Auction September 17, 2023. This will be an Estate Auction with no consignments at the door (sorry). For a ‘sneak’ preview of some of the lots, click the little Minox (lot 096) icon on this post.

Then click here for a few new lots recently added.

See the poster below for details. Questions? Email auction@phsc.ca or info@phsc.ca.

join the fun at our fall auction – collectible and user gear

Posted in auction | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on September is Fall Auction Month

Odessa Antique Show

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Robert

Visit the Odessa Antique show this month – you may find that rare piece for your collection

Toronto. As collectors we are constantly in search of that rare piece to add to our collection. The PHSC shows are often a good source. Another source seldom mentioned here is Antique Shows. They too might have gems for your collection. An upcoming one is the well known Odessa Antique Show in eastern Ontario, held this year on the 12th-13th of this month (this coming weekend).

My friend Les Jones writes, “… I will be exhibiting my wares at the famous Odessa Antique Show (2 hours east on the 401) on Aug 12 and 13 for those looking for interesting cameras or images. Maybe even a Clarus! ”

Visit the Show web site above or see the attached poster (click on the image at top left) for further information, map, etc. As noted you might find just the thing to augment your collection – or a more attractive piece to replace an item in your collection. Odessa makes a fine family outing (many of us look for other antiques beyond cameras and photographs).

Posted in activities-other | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Odessa Antique Show