taking care of business

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Robert

3D printer part makes film usable

Toronto. Winnepegger Randy Bachman has a great night time music program on the CBC Radio. When he was a member of the Bachman Turner Overdrive band, their song Taking Care of Business was a big hit.

In a similar spirit, Les Smith showed how he made the best of new Lomography colour film by taking care of business. Unable to get the correct width of film, he bought the 35mm size to fit a special holder he made for a Brownie Hawkeye camera from the 1950s.

He demonstrated his successful adaption at our December meeting. Great work Les!

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picture idea of the week…

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Robert

Kodak ad in LIFE August 29, 1960

Toronto. The marketeers were at it again in this  advertisement for Kodak (page 90) back in the August 29th, 1960 issue of LIFE magazine. Kodak made its money on film, paper, and supplies, so it went to great lengths to encourage their use.

As an example, this Kodak LIFE ad promoted the use of photos to enhance letters to others, pre dating modern digital images and emails by decades.

Thanks to George Dunbar for the idea and ad.

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mystery photo

Posted on January 6, 2020 by Robert

who is that man?

Toronto. At our December meeting, Margaret offered a mystery photograph she bought years ago at 10 Editions (I used to visit this bookstore when it was at the corner of Runnymede and Bloor in Bloor West Village.

There were many old books on microscopy, photography, nature, etc. Sadly the owner moved to just below U of T buying out another used bookseller and I quit visiting).

The late owner of 10 Editions was a member of the PHSC at one point.

Margaret kept offering hints and finally the person was identified as the prolific author, Georges Simenon, creator of the well known detective called Maigret.

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lady in red

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Robert

Mother Christmas by Douglas Kirkland

Toronto. I originally thought this post’s title could be Pretty Woman, based on the late Roy Orbison’s song “Oh Pretty Woman” but the I decided Chis de Burgh’s song “Lady in Red” was more suitable.

As shown, the photo is actually titled “Mother Christmas” and photographed by Douglas Kirkland. A fitting photo for this festive season. You can have a personal copy by visiting the European gallery called Galerie GADCOLLLECTION in Paris.

Oh yes, this and other examples of Masters of Photography are being exhibited there under the title Masters of Photography 2019 until the end of this month.

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exploded Canon

Posted on January 4, 2020 by Robert

exploded A490 Canon camera

Toronto. Peter Tchaikovsky wrote the hauntingly beautiful 1812 Overture using cannons to punctuate parts of his opus.

Modern ensembles make do with kettle drums. All this came to mind when George Dunbar sent me the image of an exploded Canon Power Shot A490.

The camera was disassembled and framed by his grand-daughter as a Christmas gift to George.

An interesting memento for a professional photographer!

 

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springtime in Alaska

Posted on January 3, 2020 by Robert

portrait of a native Alaskan taken over a century ago

Toronto. In the late 1950s I worked in Labrador and at a Christmas concert in Schefferville, Quebec. Some of the girls sang this song which Johnny Cash recorded in 1965.

This tune came to mind when my friend Harold Staats showed one of his finds at our December meeting. This was just one of the professional portraits Harold found in an old Alaskan album.  The photograph is attributed to Albert J Johnson.

Harold mentioned a second west coast photographer, George E Cantwell. who lived in Alaska and the Yukon territory.

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silent night

Posted on January 2, 2020 by Robert

Items for our 2019 show and tell night. Photo shows the silent auction things.

Toronto. At our December meeting we try to have a silent auction. 2019 was no exception.

Lots of things for consideration.

All funds were donated to the PHSC, of course.

People jotted their name and a price over the evening. At the end of the night, the highest bidder won the item.

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happy new year 2020

Posted on January 1, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. All the best for the new year from PHSC members and executive.

Click the card below to visit our source website.

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all that glitters…

Posted on December 31, 2019 by Robert

hand coloured Ambrotype of a soldier in uniform

Toronto. At the December meeting, Clint showed a second image after the Keystone Eye Comfort series. This image is an Ambrotype (c1850 – 60s) of a soldier.

The image is hand coloured with tiny gilt trim on the buttons. A member of the audience suggested it was a portrait of an Irish soldier. No one could identify him by name or his rank, campaign, etc.

If you think you know or do for sure, drop me a line and I will pass the message to Clint.

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a tribute to Boris

Posted on December 30, 2019 by Robert

Book with photos and biography of Boris Spremo

Toronto. Boris spoke with the PHSC at our March 2001 meeting. His book was underway when he died and his girls completed it.

At our December meeting daughter Diana did a presentation on the book and Boris. She has a natural talent as a speaker. The book is a limited publication and is available via this website while copies remain.

Boris was well known for his photographic talent.

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