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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the professionals

Posted on July 8, 2023 by Robert

Power Trip by Charmaine Toews courtesy of PPOC Gallery 2022

Toronto. Many of our members are professional photographers – working or retired. And many of those folk belong to the Professionals Photographers of Canada (PPOC). Amongst other things, the PPOC runs a photo contest and has a series of online galleries such as this one for 2022.

The late Ev Roseborough was a member of the PPOC and selected another member, one time president of the PPOC, the late Bob Lansdale as his successor for editor of our journal, Photographic Canadiana.

Bob was a delightful editor with his large band of contacts, enquiring mind, ideas, and discipline.  George Dunbar, another retired professional photographer suggested this link and gallery. While such sites and galleries are too recent today to be considered ‘historical’, that honour will come with the years!

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clarifying a radical new process and camera

Posted on July 7, 2023 by Robert

A working model of the Polaroid 95 camera using 9×8 film (Dec 1953)

Toronto. Many of us recall the iconic Polaroid Land camera of 1948 and its amazing ‘picture-in-a-minute’ black and white in-camera printing process. The basic idea dates back to pre-war Europe (1939).  Successful retail marketing occurred with this  American-made Edwin  Land camera and film.

The late Bill Belier (past president of the PHSC) mentioned to me that Land’s camera was an instant sellout up here as well. Five years after the first cameras were made available, a scaled up model using the larger reconnaissance film was introduced for camera retailers to help them explain how the radically new process worked in practice.

My thanks to George Dunbar who happened to see this brief article in the December, 1953 issue of Popular Mechanics and shared it with me.

PS. Consider visiting our annual  Trunk Sale (free) July 16th, 2023 – you may find an instant camera or other gem for your collection or use!

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a memorial for Ian

Posted on July 6, 2023 by Robert

Ian Archer in happier times – courtesy of Arbor Memorial

Toronto. We noted in a farewell post for Ian Archer that a formal obituary  would be posted in the Toronto Star at a later date. It was noted in the Star post that a celebration of life would take place July 8th. We’ll, July 8th is this coming Saturday..

Arbor Memorial notes in part, “In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Photographic Historical Society of Canada or PineRidge Arts Council. A Celebration of Life to be held at the McDougall & Brown Funeral Home at 2900 Kingston Road, Scarborough, ON, M1M 1N5 on Saturday, July 8th, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.”.

Please join us to think about Ian and his contributions to photography over the decades.

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it’s coming, it’s coming …

Posted on July 5, 2023 by Robert

Sigma Zoom lens in the Spring 2020 PHSC Auction

Toronto. … what’s coming? The sale! What sale? The PHSC 2023 Trunk Sale!

The Trunk Sale for this year will be held outdoors (rain or shine) at the Trident Hall on Evans at Islington on SUNDAY JULY 16, 2023. Check out our poster for details.

Lots of great items for your collection or use! Shown is a 35mm Zoom lens by Sigma that was in a lot at our Spring 2020 auction. You may find one at the Trunk Sale, or another lens or camera or accessory.

Circle the date and on the 16th, come on down and see the goodies on sale. As a buyer, entrance, like parking, is free. Sellers will be charged a very small fee. Spots are all first come, first serve. Space for sellers is limited.

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a tradition in the sky

Posted on July 4, 2023 by Robert

1930’s fireworks photo, black and white print, unique rare vintage summer boardwalk 4th of July photo, custom reprint, select size from Etsy

Toronto.  As I write this post on Canada Day when we too celebrate with fireworks (smoke and rain permitting), I am thinking of our good friends to the south who celebrate Independence Day with fireworks too.

The photo at left is courtesy of Etsy. The photograph, created from a vintage negative, is offered at a reasonable price in a choice of sizes. When the negative was taken, most photographs were black and white, on what would today be considered very slow media.

In the 1930s, colour photographs were out of the question as the colour media of the day were far, far slower than black and white.

Modern day digital technology makes such shots a cinch. To get some ideas on shooting such images today, check out Florida photographer, Brian Matiash. Brian produces his newsletter periodically as well as his tutorials and images.

Reading Brian’s ideas is a pleasant way to consider fireworks and the founding of our two countries, one by a government decision; the other by a fight for independence. While we have a lot to feel uneasy about down south, we also benefit from their many fine products and programs. Happy CanadaDay! Happy Independence Day!

Oh yes, and be sure to drop in at our annual summer Trunk Sale this month. Same location. Outdoors. Free to visit. Free to park. Lots of great bargains.

 

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