PHSC Newsletter 16-2

Posted on June 11, 2016 by Robert

PHSC_E_Mail_V_16_2-6-smToronto. Another nifty newsletter opus by editor David Bridge. Two big events this month – Robert C Lansdale’s illustrated talk on the construction 40 years ago of the CN Tower, and our Estate Auction sale – are covered.

My report on Lorne Shields’s 3D talk on the Velocipede and early bicycles gives a hint of what was missed if you didn’t join us for this evening in the big smoke.

A photo essay covers the  excitement of our spring photographica-fair last month. And Louise Freyburger produces her always interesting column on new photo links with live links you can use directly from the pdf file!

This month’s paper wraps up with a notice about Ron Greene’s book winning the BC reward; and the usual lists of What’s On (including Willy Nassau’s photo history show in Waterloo), Help Wanted, and Wanted. Just click here or the image of the girl with the cameras to read or print this issue.

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6th Annual Trunk Sale

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Robert

TrunkSaleJuly2016-smToronto. In memory of the late Larry Boccioletti, one of the three founders of the PHSC, we are hosting the sixth annual trunk sale  this July 17, 2016.

Larry started out holding the sale in his back yard shortly after the photographica-fair finished.

This year we will be using the parking area of the Trident Hall on Evans (south side) just east of Islington. Free admission and a modest contribution to the PHSC by exhibitors covers the costs. The sale is open from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.

For details and directions click on the trunk sale book mark at left or email Oscar Li at fair@phsc.ca.

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Technology may revolutionize lens design

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Robert

lead_sem-image-of-meta-lens_scale-bar-2-micron-meter-800x533-smToronto.  Camera lenses were initially made with regular flint and crown glass used in various combinations of elements. In the 1870s at Zeiss, Ernst Abbe, did mathematical lens calculations requiring non existent types of glass. Meeting with Otto Schott was a revelation for Abbe. Schott was willing to experiment with small batches of glass to try and create the glass Abbe needed for his formulae to work. A few years later the two were successful in creating glass that made apochromatic lenses for microscopes practical.

Today, Russ Forfar sent me a note from a blog he receives called Physics Today. This brief article notes research into special materials that potentially allow lenses to be made thinner and lighter than traditional glass lenses. This discovery was reported in New Scientist. Perhaps we will soon have another milestone event like the collaboration of Abbe and Schott! It is telling that Physics Today explains the lens design could affect telescopes, microscopes and cell phone cameras…

 

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Came for the history, stayed for the cameras

Posted on June 5, 2016 by Robert
Century old Camera Lucida taken with a modern Apple iPod Touch

Century old Camera Lucida taken with a modern Apple iPod Touch. f/2.4, 1/25 second, 3.3mm lens. Hand held and a bit blurry from the photographer’s age.

Toronto. Our organization is often thought of as an History society – which it is. But it is a modern, up-to-date photographic organization as well. Many of its members and executive are professional photographers, both retired and active.

While we call ourselves PHSC or “The Photographic Historical Society of Canada”, our journal is called “Photographic Canadiana” and emphasizes Canadian photographers and images. Our speakers at the monthly meetings in Toronto have spanned the gamut from the very earliest of processes, the 1839 Daguerreotype and Calotype right up to the very latest of digital technology and cameras – after all, today’s modern technology is tomorrow’s history!

In the 1970s, many camera collecting organizations were founded and a wealth of photography oriented books were published. Like our society, many organizations added the word History to their name although the majority of their members at the time seemed to be camera collectors and users. Continue reading →

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Lorne Shields and the Velocipede in 3D

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Robert
Lorne Shields by Robert Lansdale

Lorne Shields by Robert Lansdale

Toronto. We had a relatively big turnout Wednesday to hear Lorne’s talk.  Bob Lansdale counted some 50+ members and public in attendance. Lorne is a well-known and respected authority on bicycle history who has spoken widely in North America and Europe on that subject. He has been a member of the PHSC for two decades and has blessed us with various talks on multiple occasions. My thanks to Lorne for reading this review and making the necessary corrections. 

Lorne began his talk with a brief review of bicycling’s prehistory; Manumotive and Pedimotive mechanisms with rotating wheels that eventually developed into the earliest cycles.  Tonight Lorne used mostly anaglyphs created from authentic contemporary stereo cards to show the evolution of the velocipede and its eventual transition into early high wheel or penny-farthing bicycles.  Continue reading →

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Edwin Haynes, Photographer 1877 – 1918

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Robert
Toronto Camera Club by Edwin Haynes

Toronto Camera Club by Edwin Haynes

Toronto. Members Sarah Shrigley and George Dunbar separately sent me an email about Edwin Haynes being featured by the Toronto Star website.

Haynes, born in England, had a relatively short life here in Ontario before falling victim in 1918 to the notorious Spanish Influenza which affected people world-wide at the time.

Haynes was a professional news photographer to the Star and a keen amateur photographer and member of the prestigious Toronto Camera Club.

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Remember to Remember

Posted on May 30, 2016 by Robert
Tom Bochsler by Robert Lansdale

Tom Bochsler by Robert Lansdale

Tom Bochsler was our speaker at the April 20, 2016 meeting. Tom took us on a journey back in time to honour fallen Canadian soldiers of the two world wars in France and Belgium. Mr Bochsler is a noted photographer and journalist who has spoken at the society before. His studio is celebrating 60 years of work. His son now runs the studio with his grandson and some dedicated photographers and  staff. Tom’s book, The Art of Industry, covers 50 years of his photographic work in journalism and industry. This review was written by our past president Mark Singer. Continue reading →

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Estate Auction Held on Sunday, June 19, 2016

Posted on May 30, 2016 by Robert

JuneAuctionRolleiToronto. PHSC hosted an Estate Auction at the Legion Hall in Long Branch on June 19, 2016. The public was invited. A slide show has been posted here. Now 174 lots listed – 11 more added June 12, 2016. plus many more not photographed!

Our second auction this year is an estate auction on Sunday, June 19, 2016. This event will be held at the Long Branch Legion Hall. Just click here to see detailed times, directions and rules. Please note that all are welcome to attend as buyers only. No goods will be accepted in advance or at the door as this is an estate auction with pre-determined lots.

Photos of some of the items to be auctioned Sunday can be viewed by clicking on the image below. Once opened, click on the first thumbnail and then click on any thumbnail to see a larger image.JuneAuctionPhoto

Drop by before the auction next Sunday. More photos and information will be added frequently.

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Mug Shots – Shades of the Departed!

Posted on May 28, 2016 by Robert
Shades of the Departed

Shades of the Departed

Toronto. In early May my friend George Dunbar sent me a link he called, “A wonderful, online magazine of old crime and police photography“.

It turns out that Shades of the Departed, which I had as a link on this site for a time, also produces free online magazines with each issue featuring a topic.

According to the Shades web site, the name, Shades of the Departed, is credited to photographer Abraham Bogardus who in 1885, with tongue in cheek,  used the term to describe any picture he took for which the sitter failed to return and pick up. These orphan pictures were exhibited in a separate case in his studio.

The spring 2014 magazine is devoted to photography associated with cops and robbers. Click on the link and enjoy the read!

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Women of Hollywood Collection – CONTACT Festival

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Robert

ARTDIEM-smToronto. As a part of the Scotiabank Toronto CONTACT Photography Festival, ARTDIEM launched their inaugural exhibit earlier this month on May 5, entitled The Milton H. Greene “Women of Hollywood Collection”, Volume I.

Attached is the program from that evening for your reference.

The exhibit is now open to the public until June 30th at 18 Watt studio, located at 660 Caledonia Road here in Toronto. If you would like to schedule a private viewing, or an appointment to meet with their art consultants, please do not hesitate to contact them directly.

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