Photographic Canadiana Vol 46-5

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Robert

Our journal Volume 46-5

Toronto. Enjoying the sudden cold spell (at least here in the big smoke)? Yesterday, members WITH an email address received another delightful magazine via pdf. It  is  the Photographic Canadiana 46-5 dated February 2021 – April 2021.

This is a 20 page delight in full colour as  envisioned by editor Bob Lansdale to help create the excitement we all feel as we await an end to yet another round of this rotten  pandemic. As 2020 (and 2021 so far) are definitely weird, we are doing 5 issues. Editor Lansdale completed his opus of Vol 46 (hard copy version) and is working with our printers to print and package it. Copies will be sent to those members who have no email address and those wishing to have a hard copy.

Drop me a line at info@phsc.ca if you are a member and haven’t received this special pdf edition. Not a member? Easy-peasy, just break out your plastic (VISA, MasterCard, etc.), follow the rules at the upper right of this page and sign up via PayPal (no PayPal account needed – we will pay the modest fee). Membership is an incredible bargain. Period!

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Lorraine Monk 1922 – 2020

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Robert

Ms Monk from the G&M article

Toronto.  We were saddened to learn that Ms Lorraine Monk died December 17th, 2020 at 98. Her life was recorded in this Globe and Mail obituary by Judy Stoffman printed exactly a month ago.

Lorraine was our keynote speaker at the 10th anniversary seminar in 1984. She was the subject of some Photographic Canadiana articles and spoke at an early Toronto meeting. Lorraine was our very first Lifetime member with free copies of Photographic Canadiana. Lorraine worked hard to promote Canadian photography.

Lorraine was heavily involved with the National Film Board (NFB) and was an accomplished author as noted in more detail in the above links. She will be missed by us and all Canadian photographers.

My thanks to editor Bob Lansdale for bringing this to my attention as we no longer have any newspapers delivered, relying instead on TV. Sadly, TV news is basically  COVID-19 and entertainment liberally sprinkled with commercials ad nauseam and little or no in depth reporting or obituaries other than sports and entertainment figures for the most part. The internet occasionally fills in the blanks.

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fries with that?

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Robert

Franka Solida c1954 courtesy of the J Noir website

Toronto. We often think German cameras like Zeiss, Zeiss-Ikon, Rollei, Leica, Nagel, Retina etc. but what about Franka (not hot dogs)? On J. Noir’s site, many cameras are described including those of the Franka Kamera Werk in Bayreuth, Germany, at one time the largest maker of cameras in the area.

At our Vol. 2, ZOOM and Tell, this month, member Jeri  Danyleyko showed her Franka Solida camera. The FKW was established early last century and operated until 1966. Many of the firm’s cameras were private branded before being offered for sale. This included a line of Montgomery-Ward cameras.

The Solida series were medium priced models with a bellows, lens and leaf shutter reminiscent of pre WW2 Peggy or Retina cameras. Some pricier models have Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar lenses!

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do-si-do and allemande left …

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Robert

Dos-a-Dos tricycle and family. Image © Lorne Shields

Toronto. .. familiar words to square dancers everywhere, but did you know a special version of a “bicycle” for two in the early days was the dos-a-dos or back-to-back tricycle (photo is c1880).

Member and cycling expert Lorne Shields showed this example photo at the recent ‘ZOOM and Tell Vol. 2‘ held at this month’s online Toronto Meeting of the PHSC. If you need a copy, or have a copy, or want to know more, drop me a line at info@phsc.ca and I will pass your message along.

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RIC plans for 2021 (COVID-19 considered)

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Robert

RIC Gallery Plans for 2021

Toronto. The Ryerson Image Centre Gallery announcement for early 2021 (Jan-Feb-Mar) given the current restrictions for COVID-19 has been released. This is the link to details.

Thanks to John Morden, our treasurer and newsletter guru for suggesting this post.

 

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what the heck is an Eholt?

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Robert

Eholt BC faded photo. Click for corrected version by R. Lansdale

Toronto. Well, as it turns out, Eholt is a ghost town miles east of Vancouver in BC. The little railway town was founded in the late 1800s. It survived until 1948, when the local post office closed, leaving the last 17 residents to their fate. Nothing remains today except a roadside plaque, memories, and the odd faded photograph.

At our Vol. 2 Zoom and Tell this month, Dr Irwin Reichstein in Ottawa, told a tale of finding an old faded print of the tiny town and using Photoshop to increase the contrast and detail showing the buildings, trains, people and even laundry hanging on a line. Our editor, Bob Lansdale used a high resolution scan from Dr Reichstein to adjust the contrast and detail once more using separate levels for the three channels (R, G, B) giving the detail you can see by clicking on the thumbnail at left.

Thanks to both Dr Irwin Reichstein and editor Lansdale for this remarkable photograph and its practical restoration by Photoshop using two different methods.

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somethin’ flashy

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Robert

Ad in Jan 1941 Electronics magazine for flash synchronizer insulation materials

Toronto. Did you ever hear of the ‘National Vulcanized Fibre Company’ (NVFC)? Neither did I. However, parts using that company’s products played a key role in the use of flash in photography.

A number of companies in the early 1940s through 1950s sold specialized gizmos that synchronized the shutter release and flash triggering. These gizmos used the special insulation products provided in bulk to factories by companies like NVFC.

The camera maker usually sold flash guns (also made with these special insulation products) as accessories, while lens makers added built-in leaf shutters that included a flash trigger and connector. Remember, this was in the era of discrete components (usually big enough for all to see and hand hold).

This ad on page 48 of the January 1941 Issue of Electronics magazine was sent to me by my good friend George Dunbar who discovered it while perusing old magazines for photographically historic material.

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computational photography

Posted on January 24, 2021 by Robert

Computational Photography by How-to-Geek

Toronto. Photography is a continuously evolving technology. Have you ever wondered how those smartphones could even begin to compete with digital cameras? These tiny marvels are a computer in your pocket just bursting with apps and technology. A phone and a camera are but two features.

The blog “How to Geek” sets out to tell you how smartphone cameras use computational photography to revolutionize the art of the photo. In the article “What Is Computational Photography?“, dated January 19, 2021, author Vann Vincenti gives you the basics. Have a read! This technology is a long way past Daguerreotypes, plates, films, etc. of yesteryear – a mind boggling way!

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a festival of their own

Posted on January 23, 2021 by Robert

iPhone 12 Camera Lenses courtesy of Apple.com

Toronto. From time to time,  my posts have mentioned the trend for smartphones to become the camera of choice for amateurs. These pocket sized marvels of technology have replaced the digital point and shoot cameras and are making inroads as video cameras too.

Back in 2012, the first “Toronto Smartphone Film Festival” (TSFF) was held. Initially the festival was for Korean film makers and held here in Toronto. Since then, the festival here has grown to become the largest in the country. The festival will go ahead this year with its 9th festival. Currently there is a call for film submissions on its web site. As a nod to the nasty COVID-19 virus, the festival dates are pending at present, but in past have fallen in the June time-frame.

Note. The title of this post is a riff on the 1992 movie “A League of Their Own” about a women’s professional league during the 2nd World War.

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Amalgamated Photo History Newsletters

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Robert

Amalgamated Newsletters Vol 2-1 January 20221

Toronto. As we enter this new year with COVID-19 raging outside, editor Bob Lansdale has put together the first amalgamation of 2021 – Vol 2-1. All members with a an email address on file at the PHSC received this pdf version today. It is an amalgamation of selected newsletters from our exchange members who gave their blessing for inclusion in this venture. This issue wraps up with a couple of photo history related articles discovered by our good friend George Dunbar.

I noted last year that these packages were coming for members, ” … we elected to compile other material in pdf files ready to send to members IF they supplied an email address AND had a fast enough internet connection to receive the 2 – 10 mb or so pdf files. …”.

Well, the Volume 2-1 file (9.8 MB) went out. If you didn’t get it but you do get our newsletters, drop me a note (news@phsc.ca). I will verify you are a 2020/2021 member and send off a copy. If you are a current member and didn’t see a copy, please check your junk folder. This and all other specials will only be sent to paid members. Not one yet? No big deal – pull your plastic and use the PayPal set up at the top right of this web page. Note: We will continue to send our excellent newsletter ‘PHSC News‘ to all who are on our MailChimp list – PHSC member or not.

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