Joe A. Bailey 1929 – 2013

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Robert
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Dr Joe A. Bailey

Rochester: December 22, 2013. We sadly report the passing of Dr Bailey. I met Joe in May of 1996 when he spoke with us at a Toronto meeting on “Little Known Things about Unknown People – the history of the 35 mm camera in the USA“.

He wrote many books and articles on his favourite topics. Dr. Bailey was a long time employee of Eastman Kodak and a member of The Photographic Historical Society in Rochester, where he was their newsletter editor for many years.

We thank Nick Graver of TPHS for bringing his passing to our attention. Continue reading →

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Tintypes in the Rockies

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Robert

Portrait by Robert Lansdale

Portrait by Robert Lansdale

NEXT TORONTO MEETING: Wed, January 15, 2014.
TINTYPES IN THE ROCKIES: Blake Chorley. 

Blake Chorley bought an old 11×14 view camera and decided to go out to the Rockies and photograph like the 1850s wet plate photographers once did, lugging his supplies, and darkroom along with him. Come and hear his experiences and challenges – and see his camera and some super large size outdoor tintypes as well! Those of you who made it to our December meeting had a preview since Blake brought two of his big tintypes to the Show and Tell last month.

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

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Newsletter 13-7

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Robert

Toronto, December 12, 2013. Merry Christmas everyone. Our very own David Bridge has done a super job on the Christmas edition of our popular newsletter.

From top left: Front Cover,

From top left: Front Cover, 2013 PHSC Thesis Award is presented by our John Morden to Kate Addleman-Frankel, Below is Bob Lansdale’s shot of the last known diorama by Daguerre, A trio of Authors: Les Jones, Robert Wilson and (below) Larry Gubas, a gadget in Bob Lansdale’s “From the Net” column, and Bob’s portrait of our November speaker, Shannon Perry.

In this issue, we announce our traditional Christmas program – an annual favourite. I spell off president Mark Singer with a summary of Ms Shannon Perry’s November talk. Continue reading →

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The Ubiquitous Camera

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Robert

The-ubiquitous-camera-smToronto, December 1, 2013. Got your Christmas shopping done yet? Another season is roaring down the rails!

George Dunbar sent this picture along showing viewers at a race in England, possibly the Ascot this year. What is remarkable, besides the traditional hats, are the number of cameras displayed.

Digital cameras make the art seem effortless these days. In fact cameras are becoming like digital clocks on appliances – they are everywhere. In shopping around for bathroom fixtures and tiles, I noticed only ONE of dozens of stores used the sign “No Cameras” which was so commonplace a few years ago.

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Photographic Canadiana 39-3

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Robert

Toronto, November 26, 2013. Editor Robert Lansdale announced that his latest issue of the Photographic Canadiana is on the presses and should be mailed early next week.

From Left: Front cover,

From Left: Front cover, Stan White on post war English industrial photography, Rex Frost story by Bob Lansdale, An eyeful at the all-Estate auction, Dr Depali Dewan, the N+G Nydia camera, Professor Lambert, Homage to Daguerre, Rex Frost at the organ in a CFRB promo July 17th, 1927

This issue is well worth reading for two major stories: Stan White’s excellent tale of his work in the Birmingham area of England in the 1940s and 50s as a youthful industrial photographer in the days when worker safety was relatively unknown and a professional  photographer in England struggled with outdate equipment and methods to produce quality results. A delightful story. The second big story is a biography of Rex Frost by Robert Lansdale. Continue reading →

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Show and Tell 2013

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Robert
1930s Leitz Stereoly

1930s Leitz Stereoly

NEXT TORONTO MEETING:
Wednesday, Dec. 18th, 2013
ANNUAL SHOW AND TELL

In a few short weeks it will be time again for our  popular Show & Tell evening. Members bring all sorts of unusual items for show and possible identification. If you have an item, please let Clint know so he can add you to the list! He can be reached at: fair@phsc.ca. As usual, we will have our traditional gift exchange. Bring a gift of about $15 of interest to a member to participate – President Mark Singer will bring his Christmas Tree. During the evening, we will have another excellent silent auction, so bring some change too!

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

Continue reading →

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Mapping out the photographic network in 19th century Canada.

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Robert
Shannon Perry by Robert Lansdale

Shannon Perry
by Robert Lansdale

Toronto November 20, 2013. Mapping out the photographic network in 19th century Canada by  Shannon Perry.

Ms Perry spoke with us on WWII colour photographs two years ago in November 2011. Since that time she has changed responsibilities in the government archives, and is working towards her doctorate. Her talk tonight discusses her thesis for her doctorate and her progress to date. Continue reading →

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Good-bye Camelot…

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Robert

mFv8dusjJ-jIcxT8AY52JvwToronto, November 22, 2013. Fifty years ago today Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. Do you remember where you where? I was in a classroom across from the physics lab at Sir George Williams University (now part of Concordia) in downtown Montreal.

Recently the papers have been full of stories and details about Kennedy and his fateful day in Dallas. George Dunbar sent me this link to a columnist in today’s Toronto Star.

The 26 seconds of horror were recorded forever by Dallas clothier Abraham Zapruder with his Bell & Howell home movie camera. Today, versions of the movie are all over Youtube. Do a search and view one of the many copies of this grainy 8mm Kodachrome II colour film taken 50 years ago.

And, if you are old enough, think back to the end of Camelot….

 

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Urban Toronto Photographer of the Week.

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Robert
George does a "Selfie"

George does a “Selfie”

Toronto, November 19, 2013. Congratulations to long time member GEORGE DUNBAR who was voted the Urban Toronto Photographer of the Week by Urban Toronto! George is a regular at our monthly Toronto meetings. He was an industrial photographer at IBM Canada prior to his retirement. He directed the Photographica-fair video on our web site and until recently wrote the column Browsing through our Exchanges for Photographic Canadiana. Click here to see more of George’s current photographs.

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Photos by Kirk

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Robert
Photos by Kirk courtesy Mimi Vang Olsen

Photos by Kirk courtesy
Mimi Vang Olsen

Toronto November 19, 2013. Toronto cinematographer Jamie Day Fleck visited the PHSC Toronto meeting last month in a search for an 8×10 field camera. She is directing a documentary about the Armenian Genocide survivor Kourken Hovsepian. Hovsepian photographed generations of people in the Bronx, NYC, from the 1920s through the 1970s in his studio under the name “Photos by Kirk”. The New York Times wrote an article called “The Memory Seeker” on April 14, 2002. It tells a brief story about Hovsepian and his daughter, Ms Olsen.

Jamie emailed me a reply yesterday (November 18, 2013) saying, “I think I have located the 8×10 camera I needed but I am still in need of a Speed Graphic (4×5) preferably with a flash attachment. I know there are a lot of these cameras circulating so I don’t think it should be too hard to locate”.

If  you can help, please write Jamie on gmail at jamiedayfleck@gmail.com or if you are a Facebook enthusiast, www.facebook.com/photosbykirk.

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