Daguerreian Society Quarterly

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Robert
Daguerreian Society Quarterly 28-1

Daguerreian Society Quarterly 28-1

Toronto. Early this month Diane Filippi, Business Director, Daguerreian Society sent me a copy of the society’s quarterly 28-1 in pdf format. Unfortunately the quarterly is presently a members-only publication.

The articles are of much interest and the cut lines emphasize the activities of our Photographic Canadiana editor, Bob Lansdale as the official photographer for the Daguerreian Society (some 600 members).

Our society does an exchange with the Daguerreian Society and a few of our members are members of both organizations.

Over the years we have had the honour of hearing presentations at our meetings from well known Daguerreians such as Mike Robinson of Toronto (past president of both societies), Matt Isenberg, and Grant Romer.  If you would like to see this issue of the quarterly, or the recently published Annual, please consider joining the Daguerreian Society.

 

Posted in journal | Tagged , | Comments Off on Daguerreian Society Quarterly

Miniature Early 1900s Photography Studio

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Robert
A miniature 1900s Studio

A miniature 1900s Studio

Toronto. Photographic Canadiana editor Bob Lansdale sent me this link at the end of last month.

The miniature studio was built and photographed by a chap who goes by Alamedy Diorama on his blog called boredpanda.com. The site has many photography themed items that may hold your attention. This particular topic includes many photos showing different aspects of a photographer’s studio a century ago.

Posted in processes | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Miniature Early 1900s Photography Studio

Bicycles, Velocipedes and 3D Photography

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Robert
Lorne Shields and Velocipede

Lorne Shields and Velocipede

Toronto. If you are interested in the phenomenon of stereo imaging or interested in learning the history of the bicycle and its precursor the Velocipede, then you will want to hear and see our May lecture with images that date back to 1860-70.

Speaker Lorne Shields is a guru when it comes to historical bicycle photography. He is a leading world-wide expert; we have the good luck to have him here in Toronto to call upon. Widely published in journals and magazine, Lorne will bring us a fresh lecture on “The First Bicycles in 3D – Contemporary Velocipede Images of the 1860-70s.” 3D glasses will be supplied for stereo viewing.

A resident of Thornhill, ON, Lorne has been an avid collector and researcher of early bicycling history for almost 50 years and a member of the PHSC for over 20 years, speaking to us on a number of occasions. His lectures on early Cycling Photographica have been presented in Europe and throughout North America.
Portions of his collection have been on display at many public institutions including the Smithsonian, the ROM, Canada’s National Museum of Science & Technology (Ottawa) and the Museé d’Art et d’Industrie (St. Etienne France).

Posted in people | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Bicycles, Velocipedes and 3D Photography

Photographic Canadiana 42-1 posted

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Robert
Kodak SVR 8700

Kodak SV8300

Toronto. Editor Robert Lansdale has wrapped up another fascinating issue of Photographic Canadiana. This issue was packaged May 9th, ready to be mailed this week. I was treated with a personal delivery by editor Lansdale.

The front cover shows a recently found ambrotype by Eli Palmer of Toronto. The subject is a pair of youngsters. The studio shot includes a chair and table used by Palmer in other portraits. The construction of the Ambrotype is very elaborate making this portrait equal or higher in cost to a daguerreotype of the period.

The President’s Message by Clint Hryhorijiw wraps up another fiscal year of our society. The lead article by Irwin Reichstein of Ottawa is a biography of photographer John Hampden Field, sub titled The Odd Career of an Odd Fellow. Continue reading →

Posted in journal | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Photographic Canadiana 42-1 posted

The Toronto CN Tower turns 40

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Robert
CN Tower Can-Ron Workers

CN Tower Canron Workers – Click to see all men

NEXT TORONTO MEETING: Wed, June 15, 2016
Robert C. Lansdale: Visual History of the CN Tower Construction.

The CN Tower is one of our proudest landmarks but Canadians treat it with little fanfare. Other countries are quick to boast about their special sites – the Eiffel Tower in France, the Pyramids in Egypt, London Bridge in England,the Twin Towers in New York.

Want to know more about Toronto’s CN Tower? Attend the photo lecture  presented by Robert C. Lansdale, Robert has spent a decade tracking down the workers who undertook to construct this architectural wonder.

The full title of his talk at our June meeting is: Visual History of the CN Tower Construction – A Visual Tour of its Construction & its Builders.  As the “seventh Engineering Wonder of the World”, the contribution of the CN Tower’s 1,537 workers, who toiled for 5 years, has been completely ignored, forgotten and swept under the carpet.

Starting in the 1960s, Robert accompanied his PHSC photographer-father to document Toronto’s newest architectural landmark. Now decades later as an engineer and historian himself, Robert has returned in earnest to capture a major-historical record of the CN Tower and its people.

This awe-inspiring photo lecture will be first presented in public at our Toronto meeting this coming June. Go to our Programs page for times and directions.

Posted in program | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Toronto CN Tower turns 40

Westlicht Austria to auction a Sico Kit.

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Robert
Simon's Sico Camera and some film

Simon’s Sico Camera and some film

Austria.  From time-to-time we add a post about the famous Westlicht Auction in Vienna.

Next month’s auction is special as it will offer a Sico Kit from PHSC member Sol Hadef in Montreal. Sol’s offering includes the famous Sico camera plus its accessories and original packaging.

The Sico is a wooden pre-Leica camera offered by Simons and Co. of Berne Switzerland c1922. A later model of the Sico uses a rim set shutter vs. the dial set featured here on the first model.

 

Posted in auction | Tagged , | Comments Off on Westlicht Austria to auction a Sico Kit.

Dave Eve Passes

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Robert
Leica M4 Case

Leica M4 Benser soft case

Toronto. Russ Forfar gave me a heads up that Dave Eve died on Thursday, May 5, 2016 in the Oakville General Hospital.

Dave was a member of the PHSC in the early days. Dave also repaired Leica Screw mount cameras and lenses.

I picked up a few Leica accessories from him in 1978-9, notably this beautiful soft brown leather case that fits my Leica M4 so well. While unmarked by any logo, the finely constructed case is a Benser soft case.

A memorial is planned at a later date and I will post the notice if possible here on our web site.

Posted in people | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Dave Eve Passes

Thru the lens, Camera Obscura to Smartphone

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Robert

Wat-Museum-Brochure---mcc-2Waterloo. Member Willy Nassau, retired professor from WLU in Waterloo, and now a Media Technology History Consultant, has collaborated with the City of Waterloo Museum on this special exhibition giving an overview of the History of Photography. The exhibit is on now and runs to September 30, 2016. Click on the brass camera lens to see a brochure on the exhibit.

PHSC members who attended our outing at Ryerson this past February saw Willy and his associate, John Durst with a reproduction of the first ever photographic lens designed by Petzval. The original was in a camera manufactured by the famous Voigtlander company. The Petzval lens allowed for much shorter exposures of the daguerreotype plates.

John Durst reproduction of original Voigtlander daguerreotype camera with Petzval's lens designed for the new art of photography.

John Durst reproduction of original Voigtlander daguerreotype camera with Petzval’s lens designed for the new art of photography.

 

Posted in activities-other, events | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Thru the lens, Camera Obscura to Smartphone

Annual Pinhole Photography Day

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Robert
George Dunbar - Selfie for Pinhole Day

George Dunbar – Selfie for Pinhole Day

Toronto. Canadian Taxes intervened with my intention to post George Dunbar’s mention of the annual Pinhole photography day. Fortunately editor emeritus Terry Wedge and newsletter editor David Bridge stepped up to the challenge.

George celebrated the date in a very modern, very novel way. George used an extension tube, aluminum foil with the requisite pin hole, a digital Nikon, and an electronic flash to take a selfie.

You can see George’s inspiration and that of others who submitted their creations here at the Worldwide Pinhole Day 2016  Gallery. Congratulations George on a clever and artistic way to celebrate this fine old method.

Posted in camera, people | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Annual Pinhole Photography Day

The First Bicycles in 3D – Contemporary Velocipede Images of the 1860-70s

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Robert
3D image (anaglyph) courtesy of Lorne Shields

Velocipedist at Eagle Gate in front of Brigham Young’s home in Salt Lake City, Utah; the home of the Mormon church. 1869

NEXT TORONTO MEETING: Wed, May 18, 2016
Lorne Shields: The First Bicycles in 3D – Contemporary Velocipede Images of the 1860-70s

Lorne Shields, of Thornhill, ON, has been an avid collector and researcher of early bicycling history for almost 50 years. He has been a member of the PHSC for over 20 years and has spoken to us on a number of occasions. His lectures on early Cycling Photographica have been presented in Europe and throughout North America.

Portions of his collection have been on display at many public institutions including the Smithsonian, the ROM, Canada’s National Museum of Science & Technology (Ottawa) and the Museé d’Art et d’Industrie (St. Etienne France).

Lorne says the image shown above is a “Velocipedist in front of the ‘Eagle Gate’ at Brigham Young’s home in Salt Lake City – Utah; 1869.  This was the seat of the Mormon church. The photograph is considered to be the first Velocipede in the Utah Territory.   Anaglyph of an Albumen Stereosciopic Card.”

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

Continue reading →

Posted in program | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The First Bicycles in 3D – Contemporary Velocipede Images of the 1860-70s