making memories

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Robert

without a care during wartime

Toronto. The lowly family snapshot is often looked upon as a bit of kirsch by professionals but it serves to illustrate family history. The one used here was taken about 80 years ago when the youngest person shown was just too little to realize its value to the family at the time.

Without photography, the average person would have been unable to record family history. They say a picture is worth about 1,000 words. But one like this is priceless to the family and perhaps worthless to others.

Written words can capture family history if correctly dated and saved, but they simply cannot show events and people like a photo can! But unless the photo is dated and the location, event and people are listed (or known to any survivor) it is of no use to future family historians.

This snapshot brought to mind the song “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding and Steve Cropper in 1967, just before the death of Redding in an airplane crash.

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a new way to direct light

Posted on July 27, 2021 by Robert

Ad for original (Model A) Norwood Director

Toronto. Incident or reflected light, that is the question. This advertisement touted a new way to measure light, especially critical in the early days of low sensitivity, somewhat contrasty colour film materials.

Instead of reading reflected light values from selected shadow and highlight areas, the Norwood Director used a translucent hemisphere to gather incident light falling on the subject. The light value could then be translated into a correct camera setting giving optimal negative and transparency exposures. No wasted shots.

The major reflected light meter makers responded by selling attachments like the Weston ‘Invercone‘ (I have one) to offer readings of incident as well as reflected light. Some years later when sensitive CdS cells arrived on the scene, better meters like the Gossen Luna Pro offered a means to take either reading as well (Gossen had a sliding hemispherical ball, tinier than the Norwood’s to accomplish incident light readings).

This ad from the June 1947 issue of Popular Photography is courtesy of good friend and photo historian George Dunbar. The magazine link has been repeated for the convenience of the viewer.

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a eulogy or two

Posted on July 26, 2021 by Robert

President Lewko (Clint) Hryhorijiw – eulogy for Bob Lansdale

Toronto. My wife and I recently sat in on two funerals via the modern miracle of video streaming. At both, our president Clint Hryhorijiw spoke very knowledgeably about the effect of our society on the deceased.

All too often, we take the president of the PHSC for granted. However; with Clint, that is simply not the case. Still working as a professional photographer, he finds the time to write columns in our journal; prepare and present eulogies; promote the society; participate actively in all events – especially fairs and auctions; encourage others to join the society and its executive; attend all meetings and events; etc. etc.

We tend to shrug off the very difficult task of leading a society such as ours. It is easy to ‘keep the society going‘ for a two year stint as president. It is quite another matter to lead the motley crew of members and executive into new and exciting ventures. Delegation and promotion are arts seldom seen today. Well done Clint! It is an honour to support your work.

Note: Above photograph is courtesy of Bob’s eldest son, Robert. Continue reading →

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it’s a date – don’t be late

Posted on July 25, 2021 by Robert

1947 ad for Briskin 8 home movie camera

Toronto. Home movie cameras were offered before, during, and after WW2. The top end models were the Bolex line from Europe and the Bell and Howell (B&H) line made in Chicago. Cheaper models were made and sold by Kodak. A Chicago radiator company founded by Russian immigrant Sam Briskin, saw a market for a mid range line of movie cameras and the Revere line was invented and took off (scroll down this Revere link to read about the Briskin camera).

Sam’s middle boy, Ted, decided to compete with the family and produced the Briskin 8 which undercut Revere. Sadly, the Briskin turned out to be a retail flop and was sold briefly around 1947.

My thanks and a tip of the hat to that enthusiastic photographic historian, George Dunbar, for unearthing this ad on a rare camera in the July, 1947 issue of Popular Photography and sharing it with us,

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fairy tales

Posted on July 24, 2021 by Robert

don’t believe all you see …

Toronto. … or don’t believe all you see … People believed photographs captured ‘real’ events. Many viewers had no idea that double exposures and other manipulations could be done to hoodwink the gullible. Those tormented souls of last century or even late in the one before last who believed in seances, and talking to the dearly departed, were willing to believe a fake photograph.

Arthur Conan Doyle, the doctor famous for his Sherlock Holmes stories was one who believed in ghosts and seances. Doyle was convinced the fairy photographs taken by two young girls – cousins – was the real deal. He believed they confirmed his belief in the supernatural.

The photographs appeared in 1920 – the so called “Cottingley Fairies” photographs. The tale is nicely captured on  “The Hoax Museum Blog“. Visit the site and enjoy the things that made people believe.

There is a saying,”You can fool all the people some of the time, etc.”, once attributed to Abraham Lincoln but later refuted. Sadly, photographs, like anything else, can be faked. Caveat Emptor!

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Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!

Posted on July 23, 2021 by Robert

Nascent Canadian Air Force on Lake Winnipeg in 1921

Toronto. The history of all countries owes much to the publication in January, 1839 of the two primary photographic processes that produced ‘permanent’ positives. Three years later in 1842, Browning’s poem used here was first published.

Prior to 1839, drawings and paintings had to convey depictions of earlier life in all its complexities. Today, museums, archives, schools, newspapers, books, magazines, and even movies all benefit from the ongoing discoveries and improvements to photography.

Smaller countries like Canada are no exception in their histories benefitting from photography. For example, take a look at an article in the June 30, 2021 issue of “The Vox Air“, a publication of the 17th Wing of the Canadian Air Force (CAF) based in Manitoba.  On page seven, an article titled ‘“Birthplace of the Air Force in Manitoba” RCAF and Yacht Club Commemorate 1921 Opening of Victoria Beach Air Station‘ announces the beginning of the Victoria Beach Air Station, which opened April, 1921 on Lake Winnipeg, a few miles north east of the city of Winnipeg.

One photograph, shown above, depicts the Curtiss HS-2L flying amphibian aircraft initially built for the American Navy.  This photograph is dated July 1, 1921 and shows the first HS-2L (being pulled into the lake by horses) ready to fly for the precursor to the our Air Force – the Air Board’. All aircraft of that time were ‘flying boats’ – wheels and skiis came later. The base, opened in April, 1921, operated until 1926 when it was relocated to a new Manitoba location at Lac du Bonnet.

The article uses both text and photographs to celebrate the Station’s centennial anniversary and its first launching of an aircraft after it was pulled into the lake by horses. Imagine how long it would take to describe this activity using words alone! The publication is bursting with photographs, both modern images in colour and historic ones in monochrome.

My thanks to George Dunbar, good friend, PHSC member, and photographic historian for suggesting the above link and photograph.

Note: the title of this post is from Robert Browning‘s 1842 poem of the same name.

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Robert Lansdale 1931 – 2021

Posted on July 22, 2021 by Robert

Bob Lansdale from 1997 book …a funny thing happened on the way to the darkroom!

Toronto. Please note the funeral is tomorrow, Sunday the 25th. For those who can not attend, it will be available via live stream at:

http://www.distantlink.com/dlm4.html
Password: Arbor2020

The following obituary is courtesy of son Robert:
It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Bob (Robert) Lansdale at Mississauga Trillium Hospital on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at the age of 90.

Beloved husband of Margaret for 45 years (predeceased May 2007). Loving father of Robert and John (wife LeeAnne). Cherished grandfather of Christopher, Andrew, Matthew, Vanessa and Cameron Lansdale. Predeceased by his parents William Rodney (Rod) and Constance Mary (Connie) Lansdale, also predeceased by his sister Deidee (Sheldon) Lansdale. Bob will be lovingly remembered by his sister Phillis (Philly) Evans. He will be greatly missed by many other relatives and friends. Memories of him will last in our hearts forever.

If so desired, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated in Bob’s memory.

A private visitation will take place on Sunday, July 25, from 2-3 p.m. followed by a private funeral service at Glendale Funeral Home (1810 Albion Rd., Etobicoke, M9W 5T1 – N.W corner of Hwy. 27 and Albion Rd). Please be aware of the reduced one lane traffic on Hwy 27 between Humber College Blvd. and above Finch Ave. which could add 20 mins of additional drive time. You may want to take Hwy 427 or Martin Grove Rd rather than Hwy 27.

For those who wish to join the funeral service via live stream, please use the following link and password on Sunday, July 25 at 3:00 p.m.

http://www.distantlink.com/dlm4.html Password: Arbor2020

Please leave a condolence message in the Guest book.

Thank you for your love and support during this difficult time. Continue reading →

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requiem for an editor

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. Our editor, Ryerson Graduate,  and official photographer, the late Bob Lansdale was also an active member of “The Daguerreian Society”.

That society offers this tribute, “It is with a heavy heart to inform everyone that Robert Lansdale, our distinguished photographer for the Daguerreian Society for many years passed away on July 13, 2021 at 90 years of age.  In honor of Bob and his work for the Society, a special tribute will be presented in the next newsletter.  We are asking if anyone would like to share thoughts, stories, or even images throughout the years of Bob, please feel free to send to Sarah Weatherwax at:  printroom@librarycompany.org and Stephen Perloff at: sperloff@photoreview.org

Please make sure your images are 1200 pixels wide or more and in a jpg format. All tributes need to be received by August 30th for inclusion in the newsletter.

Thank you in advance for your contribution to a life well lived.

Bob Lansdale – The Daguerreian Society

Note: The title of this post is a riff on the late 1950s/early 1960s Playhouse 90 program and movie “Requiem for a Heavyweight“. And Bob was certainly a heavyweight in every organization, society and activity in which he engaged!

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what’s a parrot got to do with it?

Posted on July 20, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. **SOLD OUT**

Go to Our new YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3VJdg0aAmo0zjAwhdwwV5Q to see the slides presented tonight (July 21st).

Join us [July 21, 2021 at 8 pm] for Dr. Hannouch’s intriguing investigation into the Lippmann process: an early photographic method that used diffraction patterns to capture colour in what was essentially a black and white process. Gabriel Lippmann won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery in 1908.

This online Zoom event sponsored by the Photographic Historical Society of Canada.

Questions? Email us at program@phsc.ca

NB. The title of this post is a riff on the 1984 tune by Tina Turner, “What’s Love Got to Do with it?“

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Paulette Michayluk: On Inspiration – review

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Robert

Ms Paulette Michayluk

Toronto. On the chilly evening of June 16, 2021 we went online with ZOOM to hear the latest Toronto speaker. Paulette is a photographer, a podcaster (Defend the Darkroom) and a printer of both digital and specialized photographic processes. Paulette was originally from Alberta where she studied art at the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACADU) and psychology at the University of Alberta. She has held a variety of responsible positions and currently resides in Toronto. Her talks open with an acknowledgement of the various aboriginal tribes once prominent in the area being used at the moment.

Our programme director, Celio. opened the evening with background to the sessions plus a few rules. PHSC president Clint Hryhorijiw followed with very sound reasons for all non members in the audience to join our society.

Paulette showed her experience and acumen by quickly encouraging all audience members to enter the discussion by answering a question on what is inspiring to them. She followed by giving some of her personal background, emphasizing photography as the common thread.

She switched to split screen and control of the slides to allow her to time their duration. Paulette’s first personal inspiration came from Penelope Stewart in Ontario, showing  examples of Stewart’s photographic work on silk organza (10 feet by 10 feet!). Continue reading →

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