Review of Kodak Canada presentation last February

Posted on March 24, 2017 by Robert

Alison Skyrme of Ryerson (left) and PHSC VP Ashley Cook

Toronto. I wrote the following review of our Toronto meeting last February when Alison Skyrme presented her overview of Kodak Canada and some other items in the Ryerson University Archives (Love that Kodak).

In spite of the sniffles season and iffy weather, we had a full house Wednesday when the charming Alison Skyrme of Ryerson joined us to speak about the history of Kodak Canada. People were invited to bring along their personal examples of Kodak Canada items.

Alison opened her talk with an overview of the Ryerson Library, Archives and Special Collections which includes the Kodak Canada records.  Continue reading →

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A Puzzle Solved

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Robert

Crossword Answers – click above icon

Toronto. Back on March 10th, I posted George Dunbar’s Photo History based crossword puzzle. For those readers who were unable to solve things, George has offered this solution.

As noted before, the puzzle background is the famous Paris street scene daguerreotype which seems empty except for the shoe shine boy – all others but him and his customer disappear thanks to the abysmally long exposures necessary in those early days of photography. But just think of how long any other artistic media would have taken to record the scene and the time for this daguerreotype rendering becomes amazingly fast…

If you would like to see more of George’s work, send me an email here.

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A Day at the Auction

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Robert

Auctioneer Clint has a whimsical moment…

Toronto. We had a great auction Sunday. Great turnout. Great lots. Great prices. The auction was held once again at the Legion Hall 101 in Long Branch.

Bob Wilson was tied up so we had a new recorder – David Bridge. It got so busy that Ashley was sent up to help the auction team after most folk had signed in.

Some new blood was added to the runners since Oscar left for Beijing and David took on the recorder duties. Following are a few pictures of the auction.

Continue reading →

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Shooting Under Pressure – Revised

Posted on March 21, 2017 by Robert

Boris Spremo and Robert Lansdale – Press Photographers extraordinaire

NEXT TORONTO MEETING: Wed, April 19, 2017
Lansdale, Lum & Spremo – Shooting Under Pressure

Over a half a century ago, photographs by press photographers Fred Lum, Boris Spremo and Robert Lansdale were published in the Toronto newspapers – The Globe and The Star. Come and join Bob, Boris and Fred as they discuss equipment, assignments, and issues in the high pressure world of daily newspaper deadlines.

Both Boris and Bob are well known to PHSC members, Boris as a speaker, and Bob as our official photographer, journal editor, and creator of the PHSC newsletter. Fred is a well  known Globe & Mail photographer. N.B. A speaker may have to cancel at the last minute.

Apparently our Programme Chair Les Jones is also “Shooting Under Pressure”. Messrs Spremo and Lum regretfully had to bow out on short notice. However; we will have Andrew Stawicki and Spike Bell join Bob Lansdale. Andrew spoke previously to the PHSC while Spike has graced our fairs. Both gentlemen are strong photographers with years of experience. We are grateful that they were available and agreed speak to us next week.

The presentation will be preceded by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) led by President Clint Hryhorijiw.

The public is welcome. Go to our Programs page for times and directions.

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Paris in the Springtime

Posted on March 20, 2017 by Robert

Biefres France Photo Show June 3, 4 2017

Toronto. Bievres, France is famous for its Photography Fairs. On June 3 and 4 of June, 2017 the community is hosting its 54th show.

I recently received this email’ ” The 54th Bievres International Photo fair will take place on 3 and 4 of June 2017. You’ll receive the press release as soon as possible. Do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information. Please find enclosed the temporary poster.

“Best regards

“Anne Quémy”

Some of our members attended earlier shows. If you are in France late this spring, be sure to take in this famous international show.

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Camera Tales – Cirkut Camera Again

Posted on March 19, 2017 by Robert

The famous Cirkut Panoramic Camera

Toronto. Late last November I did a post about the  Cirkut camera called Clocks for Seeing. The author of the Clocks for Seeing article, David Firman, has recently been in touch with journal editor Bob Lansdale and included Bob’s contribution in a foot note to his expanded article on the Cirkut camera.

The foot note says, “Many thanks to Robert Lansdale, PC Editor of the Photographic Historical Society of Canada (PHSC) for making me aware of William J. Johnson’s Canadian roots as well as the role of his partner Fred W. Brehm in refining the early design of the Cirkut. The PHSC was formed in 1974 to advance the knowledge of and interest in the history of photography, particularly of photography in Canada. The PHSC website at http://phsc.ca has a wealth of information about historic cameras, processes and images. It’s well worth a visit.”

Firman posted another series of Camera Tales on his blog site WalkClickMake. The current series of tales, in addition to the Cirkut Panoramic Camera, are: The Nikon FM & FE; The Horizont; The Omega D2 Enlarger; The Wista 4″x5″ Field Camera; and The Cambo 4″x5″ Monorail View Camera.

Take a look and enjoy!

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Florin Firimita and The Bookstore Project

Posted on March 18, 2017 by Robert

Model with Argus C3 in Bookstore. Photographer Florin Firimita

Toronto. Galerie Gadcollection in Paris, France is featuring photographs by Florin Firimita from “The Bookstore Project”. The exhibition runs from March 16 to 22. Copies of the photographs are available.

I chose this particular sample as it featured an Argus C3 which is discussed in our latest issue (16-10 –  March 2017) of PHSC News on page 7.

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View-Master Poster and Details

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. Back on March 12th, Scott Dutton of Alberta sent me an email looking for Philippe  Maurice who spoke to the PHSC in the fall of 1996. The topic was a paper Philippe wrote about View-Master.

On the 17th Scott sent me a note to say he was successful in his search for Philippe. Scott has great illustrations and a View-Master poster on his site. Take a look!

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Hunter Penrose Camera

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. I never heard of a Hunter Penrose camera (c1929) before Shlomit Tamir sent me an email back on March 10th. Hunter Penrose still exists in the UK and is in the printing business these days.

Shlomit writes, “I entered your website after searching online sales for  Hunter Penrose cameras. I have unique one.

“Attached is a link to a video I made that you can see this antique camera,  a catalogue and the measurements.

“I would be very happy if you can contact me or refer me to someone who deals with this type of cameras”.

The video gives a better idea of just how physically HUGE this camera is! The camera uses large glass plates. The plate dimensions are a whopping 85×86 cm (about 33×33.5 inches). There are two Taylor-Hobson Cooke Apochromat process lenses. One has a 36 inch focal length with  a 76 cm (30 inch) wooden tray. The other is a series IX (pat. no. 113590).

If you can help Shlomit, drop me an email.  Thanks.

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Laura Jones at the A&L Club

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Robert

Baldwin Street – Laura Jones

Toronto. Member Laura Jones sent me a note recently that she was hosting an exhibition in the Lounge of the Arts and Letters Club on Elm Street from March 5 – 31 of this year. I visited Laura’s Baldwin Street Gallery many years ago. She is a charter member of the PHSC and has spoken to us   twice that I remember (April, 2006 and earlier – before 1995).

In the note Laura says, “I am having another photo event at the Arts & Letters Club. This time a solo show in the lounge. Hope you can come.

“It’s 50 years this year since John Phillips and I came to Canada and settled on Baldwin St. and were given cameras by the National Film Board to teach photography to Baldwin St children and soon after started the Baldwin St Gallery.

“Can’t believe that much time has past!” Continue reading →

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