doing it right with sweat and tears

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Robert

Ms Mary Marble c1895 by F W Guerin using a newly invented ‘flash machine’

Toronto. The slow speed of dry plate emulsions in the 1890s   resulted in two situations: The plates were very contrasty and very slow. Unless a very soft light was used (carefully, highlights would be burnt out (no detail) or shadows would block up (again no detail). Motion was almost impossible to conquer.

However, in the studio of F W Guerin both feats (proper exposure and a sense of motion) were accomplished – using various tricks; special ‘flash machines’; pre testing trials with soft northern light, etc. In the portrait at left of a young miss, details can be seen in her white dress and bonnet – an incredible accomplishment back then.

Today’s devotees of smartphone cameras have no idea of the effort involved over a century ago to create a (today) simple portrait or ‘capture’ motion.

Introducing the talents of Mr Guerin, editor Bob Lansdale writes, “A chance purchase of a small book revealed the secrets of how F. (Fitz) W. Guerin in St. Louis, Missouri was able to create such quality photographs back in 1898. Capturing the detail in white clothing was quite the challenge, as seen in our cover portrait of ‘Mary Marble.’ [The ‘lines’ on the photograph are scanning artifacts and do not appear in the book].

“There are also other photographic secrets revealed in this book Portraits in Photography by the Aid of Flash Light and you can read all about them starting on page 18 of this issue.”

Note: the above link is to the Internet Archive where you can read the book online as originally printed. A facsimile version is also available from Amazon.ca.

Members can read Bob Lansdale’s review of Guerin’s tips from his 1898 book in issue 35-4 of the journal on their DVD (it covers Photographic Canadiana volumes 1 – 40). Not a member? It’s easy – follow the steps to the right, or view the MEMBERSHIP menu item above.

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Graham Garrett’s Indian story

Posted on June 24, 2024 by Robert

CHIEF OSHAWAHNAH
Tecumseh’s chief warrior at the Battle of the River Thames.
From an ambrotype, copyist unknown. Courtesy: Library and Archives Canada / C-008543

Toronto. Anyone who knew Graham knew two things about him: Firstly: he was very prickly and difficult to know (he abruptly appeared on my doorstep one day professing unhappiness with the journal editor of the day). And Secondly he was meticulous and fussy about the history he knew so well. A writer of many articles, Graham also produced a CD called, “A Biographical index of Daguerreotypists in Canada 1839-1871”

For many years Graham was involved with the PHSC as a journal author writing pieces such as, “Tecumseh’s Warrior” in this issue (35-3). In addition to his writing, Graham was our keynote speaker for the 20th anniversary dinner (where the germ of this web site was first cast).

The article noted was sub-titled, “Early photography and the making of a North American legend”. The tale begins, “There is a photographic portrait of a native person that has appeared with a variety of printed works since the mid-nineteenth-century and usually identified as a close confidante and principal subordinate of Tecumseh, or Tecumthe (1768-1813), a prominent name in North American military history. In 1868 an American author by the name of Benson J. Lossing (1813-1891) was the first to publish a woodcut likeness of this individual whom he identified as an Ojibwa warrior by the name of ‘Oshawahnah.’”

Recent PHSC members received a DVD of the first 40 volumes of our journal. This includes issue 35-3 and Graham’s tale of Oshawahnah. Not a member yet? You can easily become a member and read all the journal articles now on DVD. Just follow the instructions to the right.

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a one-eyed tropical wizard

Posted on June 23, 2024 by Robert

John Kantymir’s SOHO Tropical Reflex SLR – photo by Bob Lansdale

Toronto. In the early 1900s, various English companies made glass-plate SLRs. The idea was to use the same lens for both viewing and photographing. A mirror changed the direction for viewing (vertical) to photographing (straight through).

In the tropics, the regular softwood body with a leather covering suffered from the extreme heat, dampness, and mildew. A tropical camera is made of hardwood (walnut, Honduras mahogany, teak, etc.) and varnished. Brass is used rather than ferrous metal avoiding the risk of rust. The only leather used is for the bellows and viewing hood.

The camera shown at left once belonged to the late John Kantymir and appeared in his column back in the December, 2009 issue of the journal (35-3). John’s story begins, ‘If there’s an index of “golden oldies” for camera collectors then I would have to place the tropical model of the SOHO Reflex camera high on that list. Its rugged varnished mahogany wood and bright brass fittings make it a stand-out amongst other classics.

‘The Soho Reflex camera was first introduced in 1905 as a single-lens reflex to rival similar cameras such as Newman & Guardia “Reflex,” Adams & Co’s “Minex,” and Thornton Pickard’s “Ruby Reflex.” [all British-made SLRs]’

Members can read John’s full story of the SOHO in issue 35-3 of the journal on their DVD that covers Volumes 1 – 40. Not a member? It’s easy – follow the steps to the right, or view the MEMBERSHIP menu item above.

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one for the birds

Posted on June 22, 2024 by Robert

the Pettibone projector as photographed by editor Bob Lansdale for the cover of issue 35-3

Toronto. A rare Pettibone projector from 1888 is nick-named ‘the Peacock’ with the circular array of slides. Such a strange device was displayed about 15 years ago at our fall fair.

It was photographed by the late Bob Lansdale, our journal editor at the time. Bob explains, “When you visit the PHSC Spring and Fall Fairs you can learn much about photographic history by asking questions of the table holders and keeping your eyes open.

“Robert Gutteridge of Whitby and Francois Lemai of Montreal have for some years been offering historical exhibitions by displaying hardware from their collections of cine and projection equipment – prize items you may never see elsewhere.

“Shown here is a Pettibone Challenge projector (1888) which, in this configuration, is often referred to as “the Peacock” because of its fanned-out slide holder. Built in Cincinnati, Ohio, it has highly ornamental gold-plated legs, a brass lens and a four-wick kerosene burner.”

Members can read the full story in issue 35-3 of the journal on their DVD that covers Volumes 1 – 40. Not a member? It’s easy – follow the steps to the right, or view the MEMBERSHIP menu item above.

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a Gordian Knot in photography

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Robert

Clint’s Gordon Camera – photographed by Bob Lansdale in fall, 2009

Toronto. You may recall the story of the Gordian Knot in Greek Mythology. In a way the illusive Gordon camera was photography’s ‘Gordian Knot’. Issue 35-2 of our journal covers the saga and in fact uses the Gordon camera as its cover shot.

The article titled, “Yes Virginia there is a GORDON CAMERA” written by editor Bob Lansdale and future president Clint Hryhorijiw begins thusly, “Our quest, described in the June 2009 PHSC E-Mail Newsletter, to find a mysterious Gordon camera has produced positive results.

“Initially, all we had was a citation in a 1913 publication “Art and Photography” describing its availability for $2.50. For Canadians, it would be shipped from the “factory” near Toronto. But that could have been a hoax.

“At our PHSC Spring Fair we found an envelope of sensitized positive cards for the Gordon Camera; it bore the address of the Gordon Camera Corporation, 98-100 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. With that validation the hunt was on!”

Recent members received a DVD of the first 40 volumes of our journal. This includes issue 35-2 and the Gordon story. Not a member yet? You can easily become a member and read all the journal articles now on DVD. Just follow the instructions to the right.

 

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…the holly and the ivy …

Posted on June 20, 2024 by Robert

a 1950 red Holly camera as discussed in issue 35-1 of the journal

Toronto. Rats! Wrong web site! This should be about Photographica, not Christmas in July(ish). Oh well, let’s talk about the Holly camera, at least it’s Photographica. A rare, unsuccessful German plastic box camera of 1950 vintage, The Holly uses 120 roll film – just like the pro’s once used. A bit fancier than many inexpensive cameras, it comes with a lens that can be adjusted for both aperture and distance, plus a shutter with a few different speeds.

The red colour of this example is even rarer! In his column, “A Treasure From My Collection…”, the late John Kantymir writes, “In the rush after the Second World War to produce photographic equipment for the much-starved camera market, this bakelite camera was created by GOMAG (Allgauer Kamerwerkstatte Gomag) in Pfonten, Germany.

“The main reason I’ve chosen to feature it, is because it is red in colour and, as such, is the ONLY one I have ever seen or come across. If you visit our Society’s web site you can see a colour image of the camera as shown in the April 2009 PHSC E-Mail newsletter [page 8].

“I was surfing the internet when I came across three innocuous cameras which were for sale as a lot in the States. I guess you have to know your cameras to spot the unique items when they pop up amongst others. After securing the lot, I threw away two of the cameras and kept the Holly.”

Recent members can read John’s full article in the pdf version of our journal on their free DVD. Not yet a member? It’s sooo easy to join. See the right sidebar for instructions or above (click on the MEMBERSHIP menu item).

 

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scaring the daylight out

Posted on June 19, 2024 by Robert

Arthur W McCurdy and his innovative daylight tank for  film development

Toronto. Bob Lansdale, our late editor, was a staunch supporter of Canadian technology and innovation. An article in issue 29-3 stated, “… detailed in Photographic Canadiana Vol. 29-3 that the daylight developing machine was patented April 17, 1900 by Arthur McCurdy of Baddeck, Nova Scotia.”

To Bob’s shock and consternation, “The 2009/1 issue of Photographica World arrived with an elaborate article on “Metal developing tanks – a collector’s view.” Author Geoff Preece has spent some 20 years assembling a collection of such tanks to the point he has lost count of how many he possesses (an enviable 50… or is it 60 or 70?).

Preece attributed the first tank to be in 1902 in the UK. The issue was resolved when it was discovered the first tank to the market was in 1902 – two years after McCurdy’s 1900 patent. You can read the full story in issue 35-1 of the journal. More recent members received a DVD that included 35-1. Not a member? It’s easy – follow the steps to the right, or view the MEMBERSHIP menu item above.

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Ted Shepherd’s Replica Camera

Posted on June 18, 2024 by Robert

Ted Shepherd’s replica camera by Ev Roseborough

Toronto. The world was electrified in early 1839 when Louie Daguerre’s amazing process for creating images by the action of sunlight was announced. The new process meant new devices to ‘capture’ these images. Being French, Daguerre’s early cameras were made by his brother-in-law, A Giroux. Until this astonishing invention, opticians used lenses in eye glasses for the most part. European optical houses made eye glasses, binoculars, opera glasses, telescopes, and finally microscopes.

Ted Shepherd was the second president of the Toronto branch of the PHSC (1977-1979). At one point Ted helped manage the camera department of Robert Simpson’s (one of the two great Canadian department stores). His hobbies included creating replicas. One such replica was a full size example of the first Daguerreotype cameras – made by Giroux in Paris with a simple f/19 meniscus lens by the Paris optician and scientific instrument maker, Charles Chevalier.

Replica? Oh, yes, the replica. Well it was carefully made by Mr Shepherd and featured in Photographica Canadiana 12-1. (May-June 1986) A portrait of the camera by Ev Roseborough (shown here) was used on the front cover of that issue. Inside, an article by Bill Belier introduces us to Ted and includes a detailed reprint of how to make a camera.

A Daguerreotype image has very fine detail. Sadly it lacks many things we take for granted these days: It is only monochrome (capturing mainly scenes illuminated by  blue light). It is contrasty and slow (later technology and lenses helped with speed). The delicate mirror-like surface means you have to hold it ‘just right’ and reflect a dark background so you can see a positive image (hence the use of cases to house the fragile ‘mirror with a memory’).

A copy of issue 12-1 pdf  is included here. To see the entire vol 1 through 40 issues, check out the DVD sent to members. Not a member – see the right-hand sidebar for membership  (or the MEMBERSHIP menu item)!

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Executive Meeting No 48 via ZOOM

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Robert

PHSC President
Clint Hryhorijiw

Toronto. The June session was held via ZOOM on the 5th.  Can you feel it? The warmth, the sunshine? In a few weeks (July 3rd) we will host our final exec meeting until this fall.

PHSC newsletter editor Katrin Faridani  is working on her second issue of the newsletter. Work intervened last month  making for a delay (Katrin has a full time studio). Didn’t get your copy for April? Well, just drop me an email at news@phsc.ca for your very own copy and if you aren’t already on our MailChimp list, I will add your email.

Membership Secretary Lilianne Schneider advises you to RENEW NOW to ensure you are notified when the next issue of Photographic Canadiana  is ready (this month). See the MEMBERSHIP menu above and/or our PayPal button at right.

Our journal is in ‘pdf format only’. Issue 50-1 will be available after a MailChimp notification. Important: if  you have UNSUBSCRIBED to our list, you will not receive notification nor Photographic Canadiana nor other info. MailChimp does not permit me to reinstate that specific email address. Renewal of such addresses are only possible via a form, not yet on our site. Also, if you change email addresses, please tell us – MailChimp will tag the old address as CLEANED (they cannot add your new address automatically).

*Note that as of 2022, our membership year ends December 31st.* As of 2024, membership fees are $35/$100 1 yr/3 yr Canadian regardless of the member location (one of the perks of pdf).

There will be NO Toronto meeting in June.

Co-editor David Bridge and partner Louise Freyburger  plan to issue 50-1 of the PHSC journal  late this month (June 2024). As usual, all members will be notified via MailChimp when the journal issue is ready to be downloaded. If you are a member but HAVE NOT seen any notification for Photographic Canadiana since you registered/renewed, please email me at info@phsc.ca.

As a non-profit society, we always need volunteers. If you feel you can help in any capacity, email me at info@phsc.ca and I will advise our president.

Getting ready for the holidays -summer c1910

 

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let there be light!

Posted on June 16, 2024 by Robert

Front Row Insurance courtesy of PhotoEd magazine – pros can easily recall similar embarrassing (and costly) situations.

Toronto. Our favourite editor, Rita Godlevskis, of PhotoEd fame sent an email the other day announcing that, “Let there be Light! The DIGITAL EXTRA edition is now live! ( + free!)”. The notice, along with  a few ads such as shown at the left for Front Row Insurance, also called for entries to the next issue featuring ‘Time’ in all its creative aspects.

Take the time to read her free issue on light.  You can easily compare the included photos such as Gerald Reid’s “Light and Rain” out in Squamish, B.C. with your collection of older photographs and see just how far we have come in innovative work.

I mention PhotoEd because the long time owner and founder, Felix Russo, was a member and helped in various functions on the executive. Since Felix retired, all magazine duties were turned over to Rita who has been doing a tremendous job promoting Canadian photographers and the PhotoEd magazine. When asked, Rita has willingly offered the PHSC advice as well.

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