‘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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smokin’ hot

Posted on July 3, 2023 by Robert

Flames and smoke from Cochrane 7 wildfire (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry)

Toronto. Have you seen the devastation caused by the wildfires across Canada? And the exceedingly high temperatures in parts of the world including the southern US? And the droughts that sparked the fires? Lots of textual and vocal descriptions.

Most shocking is to see the images and videos of the fires and the impact of these fires, drought, and heat. Recent smoky days here in the south from these wildfires has confirmed our name, “the big smoke”.

Without photography we would have to be on site, or have a vivid imagination. In spite of the tragedy and devastation, it is photography that once again records the impacts and fires for us to see without being there in person. Sobering thoughts and sadness at the scarring of towns, loss of homes and wild life, and the deforestation shown by these images.

Speaking of “smoking’ hot”, take your mind off the fires by visiting our trunk sale this JULY 16th (rain or shine) outdoors over at the Trident Hall (Evans and Islington). See the poster for details. Attendance by potential buyers is free. Parking is free. Sellers pay a  modest fee. Seller locations are first come, first served.

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just thunk trunk (sale)

Posted on July 2, 2023 by Robert

trunk sale lenses by Bob Lansdale – summer 2015

Toronto. Holy cow, our latest Trunk Sale. is coming up fast! The show is on the 16th (SUNDAY) of this month outdoors at Trident Hall.

Check out our poster for all the gory details! Come on out and enjoy the day. You may just find that special thing for your collection or to let you take a great photo.

Lots of bargains each year at this event and if you would like to move your surplus gear, give Clint an email at fair@phsc.ca – just say it was on the website :-). Remember that the sale goes on – rain or shine!

NB the title goes back to a funny incident in my childhood (grade seven). A teacher was discussing verbs; declining verbs in particular. A student just finished the verb ‘sink’ as “sink, sank, sunk” and the teacher turned to my buddy Ken and asked him to decline ‘think’. Ken thought for bit, then remembering the last answer suggested,  “think, thank, thunk” to which our teacher replied, “I don’t thunk so …”.

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think, thank, trunk (sale)

Posted on July 1, 2023 by Robert

Bob Lansdale took this photo of an unusual projector at the 2015 Trunk Sale

Toronto.  Happy Canada day (and long weekend) to you all up here in the “great smoky north”. Just think,  July 16th is a RED LETTER day. Be sure to mark it on your calendar. The PHSC will host its 2023 Trunk Sale on SUNDAY, JULY 16th outdoors at the Trident Hall.

This event will be a great chance to add a special item to your collection, or get the piece you need to use (for film or perhaps digital).

And best of all, the items on sale are real bargains! Be sure to drop by and see what is on show. Of course there will be free parking, etc as usual. Check out our poster here for more information.

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transparent history

Posted on June 30, 2023 by Robert

Elm trees in the fall on William Street. Taken on transparency film over 60 years ago.

Toronto. We think of history as the distant past. Not necessarily so. Slides, or colour transparencies taken by amateurs can sometimes be an historic record beyond the intended audience of the immediate family.

The slide here shows a hilly street I once knew. I took this shot over 60 years ago as fall was in the air with the leaves still (mostly) on the trees although no longer their deep green hue. The street may still be there, but the trees are most likely gone by now.

As a kid, I borrowed a friend’s sister’s bicycle for a ride. Zooming down this hill, I decided to try the brakes before I reached the first stop sign. To my dismay, the brakes were very poor and the bike hardly slowed its speed. Rather than risk hitting or being hit by a vehicle on the cross street, I swerved into the ditch stopping abruptly between the stop sign and the edge of the ditch with no lasting damage to either bike or person.

Now, over six decades later, the slide has taken on some historical interest beyond me and my family of the day (other than me, all have departed for better times better places …). It may be one of the few remaining photos of the once graceful trees and hill. Something to think about the next time you have an urge to trash some old slides.

Speaking of which, drop by our free Trunk Sale on July 16th. You may just find some  slides, film, cameras or lenses to complement your collection or passion for taking photos!

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