once was not a hotel nearby

Posted on July 17, 2023 by Robert

Notman’s foothold in the Big Smoke

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 portraits and composites, many of which are identified. Records, photos, and ephemera on Notman are housed at the McCord Museum in Montreal.

Today, the area includes the King Eddie at 37 King St East. Years ago, I was sequestered in the King Eddie. A few decades later, Ron Anger and I visited the hallowed building (showing its age by then) to see if it was suitable for our fair (it wasn’t).

For more comments on the area check out a post by ‘egotrippin’part way down this page on the Urban Toronto site.

My thanks to good friend, George Dunbar, for the link and photo. Our late editor, Bob Lansdale, also a professional photographer, researched this area of Toronto in the 1800s and found many studios clustered around King and Yonge, George also posts on Urban Toronto using a nom de plume like others on the site.

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a steamy day in old SK

Posted on July 16, 2023 by Robert

stern wheeler Saskatchewan c1900 on the river of the same name – courtesy of Canada’s History website.

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 too!

PS. Drop in at our free Trunk Sale today – you may find old photos and other bargains to augment your collection.

Free admission. Free parking. Friendly people. And food. Please see this post for details.

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before we had Carousel projectors

Posted on July 15, 2023 by Robert

Ad for old style Kodak projector – Popular Science, March 1950

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 no reversal projection.

George Dunbar sent me some interesting ads the other day, including a March 1950 ad for a trio of old style Kodak projectors. Just over a decade later Kodak came out with the Carousel line with a rotary tray that both stored and held slides in the desired order right way around. And as they say,’ the rest is history’.

Want to add one of these old pre-Carousel projectors to your collection? Drop by our Trunk Sale tomorrow and you may just find one – or another collectible item – or user item (film or digital). Remember, admission is free, parking is free, it’s outdoors (rain or shine), and there is even food for a small payment.

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that’s LIFE

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Robert

a Kodak ad from 1949 suggesting their products for family history.

Toronto. My good friend and fellow PHSC member, George Dunbar, enjoys browsing the old magazines in search of photographic history in ads and articles. This particular ad extolls the virtue of Kodak products to capture ‘Family History’.

To get any added gear you need for this, or to perhaps complement your collection, try our Trunk Sale this coming SUNDAY, July 16th outdoors at Trident Hall. After all, it’s free, parking is free, food is offered (not free) and it will be held rain or shine. TTC runs nearby if you are sans wheels. Check out this poster for details. And as they say,”that’s life”.

NB. The post title is a riff on the fact we are using an advertisement from a 1949 issue of LIFE Magazine for this post.

 

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see you in September (or at the TrunkShow!)

Posted on July 13, 2023 by Robert

painting a clown face – c1979 CNE

Toronto. Hi folks, as promised this is a followup to an earlier post on June 16th. At that time, we tentatively moved the June Toronto presentation to late July while we investigated alternative halls.

Unfortunately we were unable to find a suitable venue supporting both live and ZOOM presentations. Hence the meeting we planned will be delayed until later in the year.

We apologize to you for any inconvenience this causes. Meantime, we hope to have the Toronto  meetings commence once again in September.

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steaming along on the 16th

Posted on July 13, 2023 by Robert

poster of CPs Empress line courtesy of Eurographics

Toronto. Trunk reminds me of a steamer trunk. I once bought a used one to package up all my gear when I went to university in a city a few hundred miles away. In those days, freight was cheap and delivery was door to door. Timing was about two weeks.

For the past decade or two, ‘trunk’ has meant the famous PHSC annual trunk sale (or boot sale to the folks in the UK). Our latest iteration of the event is this SUNDAY, July 16th. Check out the poster here for all the gory details.

Like the CP poster at left? You can order a Giclee print in various sizes and media from Eurographics.

In any case, come on over to the Trident Hall outdoors this SUNDAY. It’s free, parking is free and there will also be a food cart. Yummy! Browsing the things offered you may find that special something to add to your collection or even use in you pursuit of photography – film or digital!

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photography and a six foot atlas

Posted on July 12, 2023 by Robert

The modestly proportioned Klencke Atlas of 1660.

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 the British Library Digitized the World’s Largest Atlas, the 6-Foot Tall “Klencke Atlas” from 1660“.

Thanks to my good friend, George Dunbar, you can see the valuable role of photography in disseminating an atlas of grand proportions once a gift to King Charles II 15 years before his death in 1685.

Watch the short video and see just how carefully the ancient book is handled and the care with which it is evenly lighted and each page is documented photographically. The pages have since been scanned and are now available to everyone while the delicate old book goes back to a vault for safe keeping.

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bugging the birds

Posted on July 11, 2023 by Robert

Brian Matiash shows how AI in Photoshop an improve photos.

Toronto. One of many disciplines photographers enjoy is that of wildlife photography. In his current talk, Florida photographer Brian Matiash discusses ways to improve wildlife photos post camera.

These examples include the use of Photoshop and the latest buzzword(s)  around – Artificial Intelligence or AI. If you haven’t experimented with AI, here is your chance. Many folk still feel AI could be detrimental to us with good reason.

I recently watched the 1983 movie ‘WarGames‘ once again on TV. While the term AI is never mentioned, AI seems to be used by a computer to self modify its code causing a nervous time at NORAD as WW3 is threatened by this rogue program.

Back to modern reality, AI is showing up more and more as programs attempt to simplify the end user’s actions to create an acceptable outcome. Chess anyone?

 

 

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Executive meeting number 38

Posted on July 10, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Our executive meeting on Wednesday evening, July 5, 2023 was the 38th held via ZOOM. Our June Toronto meeting was innovative. We met in a gallery to see the launch of a new book by Vincenzo Pietropaolo. The combined live/ZOOM meeting was a learning experience.

Our Newsletter still needs a permanent editor. A person lined up to take on the challenge this fall. Meantime, journal co-editor, David Bridge writes and sends any necessary newsletters (events, posters, etc.). If you prefer a personal copy but haven’t joined up yet, drop me a note at news@phsc.ca.

We are also searching for a new membership secretary. Plans are underway but if you feel you can help (this or another executive position) drop me a line for our president. Just use info@phsc.ca.

Our next Toronto meeting will feature an interview with photographer Jack Sal. This will be a joint in-person and ZOOM event. Our Programme Director is considering suitable venues in Toronto. Details will follow before the target date for the presentation (Monday July 26th).

Attenddees at our July 2023 Executive Meeting

After our very successful spring photographica-fair, we are hosting the annual summer Trunk Sale on SUNDAY July 16th at Trident Hall. Please join us and augment your collection – or user gear (film or digital). A poster is pinned to the top of page 1 on this site  until the event takes place.

Dates have been set for a fall auction in September and a fall fair in October. Tentative dates have been set for the 2024 fairs – both spring and fall.

Our next  journal will be out as a pdf file by the end of July. Co-editor David Bridge gave the executive members an overview of its status and the present work in progress. If you are a member but DO NOT see the latest journal by early August, please email me at info@phsc.ca.

Finally summer has arrived and COVID-19 and its restrictions are just a bad memory. Hopefully we will get back to in-person meetings and presentations once again. However, like many other societies, it looks like the online pdf version of our journal is here to stay.

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‘fast’ negative colour film

Posted on July 9, 2023 by Robert

showing what the latest ISO 400 colour film can do – courtesy of Lomograohy

Toronto. Our friends at Lomography sent me a note the other day announcing the latest 35mm color film they offer. This color negative film is rated at ISO 400.

I know, kinda slow for all you digital guys out there, but both fast and less contrasty for die-hared film fans.

Birgit Buchart of Lomography (birgit.buchart@lomography.com) says in part, “LomoChrome Color ’92 is a regular color negative film designed to capture everyday life with a hint of ’90s nostalgia.

“Featuring a powerful film grain, it delivers a soft and mesmerizing look in the sun and brings a subtle, painterly look to photos taken at dusk. Vibrant reds and clean yellows pop out amongst fascinating blue tones, while delicate pastel undertones take everyday snaps to a new dimension.

“This highly versatile ISO 400 emulsion allows photographers to photograph in different lighting conditions and can be easily developed using standard C-41 processing.”

Visit the Lomography site and pick up a roll or two!

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