Notman Exhibit at McCord 2016-2017

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Robert
Red Cap Snowshoe Club - Halifax 1888 - Wm Notman Composite

Red Cap Snowshoe Club – Halifax 1888 – Wm Notman Composite

Toronto. The major repository for all things Notman is the McCord Museum in Montreal across Sherbrooke from McGill University. McCord mounted a Notman exhibition to be displayed from November 4, 2016 to next spring, March 26, 2017.

The exhibition was covered in the Globe last Wednesday (November 30, 2016) in the Arts section. Robert Everett-Green of Montreal wrote the article from the perspective of art today. He suggests the wooden poses and fantasy compositions would be of little value today as art.

Mr Everett-Green offers a contrary view of Notman as a skilled craftsman and businessman rather than an innovative photographer. He seems unaware that Victorian photographic media and equipment demanded longer exposures. Most people were unable to sustain a smile long enough for an exposure and it was almost impossible to get a group to hold a pose long enough for an exposure. Notman solved these two issues by having his subjects hold a firm look and using carefully enacted composites to create his then famous  group photographs.

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PHSC Image Show Fall 2016

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Robert
Ashley Cook by Robert Lansdale

Ashley Cook by Robert Lansdale

Toronto. In spite of its small size, the latest image show held by the PHSC was a success. While the admissions numbered about 100, they were more than enough for the small room allocated to us by the A&L club.

The choice of a downtown locale, with easy TTC access and near-by parking, was appreciated by all. There appeared to be active sales activity at the various dealer tables.

Congratulations to Ashley Cook for coordinating this, our latest Image Show.

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Photographic Canadiana Issue 42-3

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Robert
Coffin Building Block - Toronto

Coffin Building Block – Toronto

Toronto. This is our second issue using the new format. Our cover photograph of the 1800s Coffin Block Building is discussed in this issue by editor Lansdale. There is a brief text and photo essay about our fall fair.

For camera enthusiasts, we cover John Kantymir’s example of the Ilex Falling Plate camera. In the days before film various mechanical ways were invented to allow photos to be taken in a quick sequence – falling plate technology was one such method.

The bulk of this issue is taken up with part one of Carla-Jean Stokes’ story and images on optimizing the AGO’s  great war (WW1) photograph collection.

A quartet of book reviews suggest a Christmas gift for the reader while Toronto Notes reviews the September and October speaker presentations. Finally, we have a follow-up and caveat on the business arrangements of Mrs Fletcher.

Members will receive their copy of issue 42-3 next week – we plan to package it for mailing late this week. Not a member? No problem, just fill in the details at the top of the right side bar and click on the PayPal button – no account needed as long as you have a credit card.

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Show and Tell 2016

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Robert

show-and-tell-talk-december-2016-v1-smNEXT TORONTO MEETING: Wed, December 21, 2016: Show and Tell, Gift Exchange, Silent Auction

That time of the year again! Merry Christmas everyone! Sonja Pushchak drew up this image to announce our coming meeting.

It is a tradition for the PHSC to have a Show and Tell night for the last meeting of  the year. Our programme coordinator, Les Jones suggested this year’s theme is “small” –  things photographic (including cameras) that are small.

As usual there will be a gift exchange and a silent auction.

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

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Clocks for Seeing

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Robert
Cirkut Camera with Clockwork Motor for Panorama Pictures

Cirkut Camera with Clockwork Motor for Panorama Pictures

Toronto. My friend and photographer Harold Staats sent me this interesting link last Saturday to the Firman Gallery. Like Harold, David Firman is a photographer. David had a couple of photographs on display up in Ottawa at the NRC in 2014-5.

What is unique is that the photographs are panorama photographs taken with a Cirkut #6 camera! Have a look at the short video on the above Firman Gallery site.

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Artist of the Portrait – John Reeves, 78

Posted on November 27, 2016 by Robert
John Reeves 1938-2016 by Fernando Morales of the Globe

John Reeves 1938-2016 by Fernando Morales of the Globe

Toronto.  As I read the Globe this morning I saw an obituary for the famous Toronto photographer John Reeves.

Born in Hamilton, Ontario in April, 1938, Reeves had a career as both a portrait photographer and a CBC broadcaster. John attended SGWU in Montreal taking fine arts.

His portraits of the famous are legendary. The obituary notes his experience with Leonard Cohen  resulting in a portrait using just a small flash and available light.

Another photographer and author (and PHSC speaker) Vincenzo Pietropaolo wrote a profile of Reeves in POV magazine back in February, 2015.

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Interesting cameras and videos from Nikon

Posted on November 26, 2016 by Robert
A Trio of new Nikons

A Trio of new KeyMission Nikons

Toronto. Links from PHSc member and friend George Dunbar are always of interest to members. This Nikon link introduces a trio of unique KeyMission cameras. They interact with your smart phone. Each camera has a different field of view –  from the 360 degree camera to the 170 degree panorama camera and 80 degree model. All three are small, give high quality images and do both video and stills. And they are waterproof and shockproof too!

These wearable and mountable cameras give a new look to your photographs and videos. Spend a few minutes on each video to see the impact that each has – you will then agree that digital has come a long way, allowing you to take photos and videos impossible just a few years ago.

 

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A DSLR quality camera in a smartphone format

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Robert

mjgymzuxoq-smToronto. A few days ago my friend George Dunbar sent me a link to the lengthy and clear article on how we can match the quality of a professional DSLR in a smartphone format – pocketable, and always handy.

The camera exists and is being refined at the moment. This article covering the technology behind the camera was written last month by one of the creators, Dr Rajiv Laroia, chief technology officer and cofounder of Light, based in Palo Alto, Calif. in Spectrum, the journal of the engineering society, IEEE.

This little marvel uses 16 fixed lens cameras, mirrors, and software to create images at various focal lengths, equivalent f/ stops and with a selectable variation of bokeh. Called the Light Camera, L16, it will go to market next year at about $1.699 US.

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PHSC Auction March 19, 2017

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Robert
PHSC Auction next March, 2017

PHSC Auction next March, 2017

Toronto. The PHSC auction next spring will take place on Sunday, the 19th of March, 2017.

No changes from the previous auction.

Click here or on the icon at left to see the bookmark and full details.

Come out and join us. Get more collectible and usable photographic goodies.

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A Modern Day Stereoscope?

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Robert
Google Cardboard

Google Cardboard

Toronto. In a post the other day, George  Dunbar asked whether the Google Cardboard was the new modern-day stereoscope.

We saw the Google Cardboard gadget back in February when Marissa Frosst demoed it at Ryerson.

Your smartphone is used as a screen in the device.Take a look on Google. A similar plastic device by View-Master is offered by Walmart online. If you visit a store they have the Google Cardboard VR as well.

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