…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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slice and dice

Posted on June 15, 2024 by Robert

the slice and dice kid – c2011

Toronto. Dr Edgerton experimented with high speed flash in the 1930s. He analysed motion by triggering the flash rapidly as the the subject moved. It was a precursor to electronic flash which was also called strobe light in the mid last century. Strobe was also known as speed light for its short duration. Even books were written about it like, “Strobe – The Lively Light“, which I bought back in the late 1950s. You can even ‘borrow’ the current edition on line.

With modern smart phones, one can experiment with various actions and settings without resorting to the built-in electronic flash. For example, as shown here, the smartphone camera (or digital camera in this case) can be set to ‘PANO’ and the subject tracked as they run past the camera. Not exactly how the PANO setting was intended to be used. You get the idea – change speed, subjects, background, etc. to create a suitable photograph.

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corny but collectible

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Robert

A daguerreotype of a farm couple courtesy of Kevin Kunz

Toronto. Image collectors lust after all kinds of images. The farm couple at left while a bit homely to current tastes, hold some unusual items. Collectors might have included this image in their collections for many reasons (process, symbolism, subjects, etc.).

The daguerreotype icon of the couple is courtesy of the Daguerreian Society and Kevin Kunz. Our late editor, Bob Lansdale used it as a cover photograph on issue 34-4 of Photographic Canadiana. (Feb-April 2009). Bob titled the photograph, “A DAGUERREIAN PORTRAIT WITH A MYSTERY”.

He introduces the image as follows, “It seems one thing leads to another as we relate on page 8 of this issue the continued story from our previous issue of Photographic Canadiana.

“In Volume 34-2 [actually in 34-3] we explained the story of “Murdered by Her Lover” where in the year 1882 Michael Lee of Napanee, Ontario murdered Maggie Howie due to his unrequited love for her.

“The phrase “come up with the corn” was used in the newspaper report which has led us to this daguerrotype image showing a man holding a bouquet of weeds and a cob of corn. We are looking for assistance to interpret the meaning of this symbolism.”

Members eagerly read the issues of volume 34. More recently, members received a DVD of the first 40 volumes and they too could read the sad tale of mystery in the Victorian photographs of  Michael Lee and Maggie Howie. Of course, 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 gaggle of cameras

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Robert

a gaggle of cameras sold at the fall 2008 fair

Toronto. The cameras at left were photographed by our late editor Bob Lansdale at the fall fair in 2008. Bob’s collage made the cover of our journal (issue 34-3).

Bob write’s “The selection of interesting cameras arrayed on our cover are but a few that could be found at the recent PHSC Fall Fair in Woodbridge, Ontario [ now at Trident Hall, Etobicoke]. Our coverage of this annual event can be reviewed on pages 8 and 9 of this issue.

“Images include: a no-name folding camera from “The Newest Company,” a Duplex Super 120 stereo, a Mandel PDQ model H street camera, and a Contessa-Nettel Deckrullo bellows plate camera overshadowing a miniature Ensign Midget.”

While the spring fair was held last month, there is time to catch the trunk show this July and the fall fair in October of this year (details are in the works).

Attendance at the Trunk Show is free while there is a modest charge for admission to our fall fair.

PS. Join the PHSC and receive a pdf of volumes 1 through 40 of Photographic Canadiana. See the right sidebar for details.

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who the heck is Todd Webb?

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Robert

Todd Webb, “Between Lovelock and Fernley, NV,” 1956. (Todd Webb Archive)

Toronto. Years ago, I was busy devouring large photograph ‘coffee table books’ including Frank photographs in the book he co-authored called “The Americans“.  The Washington Post on the 5th of this June had an interesting article/review titled. “Two photographers traveled America. One became a star. The other vanished.“, by Sebastian Smee. The ‘star’ is Robert Frank.

Frank’s contemporary, the ‘vanished’ Todd Webb, sunk into oblivion as Smee’s tale tells. Their work is on show in “a superb exhibition at the Addison Gallery of American Art in Andover, Mass. … organized by Lisa Volpe.”

Read Smee’s review/article and the books he references. While the photographs are of America, they have strong sense that can easily be envisioned here. Image collectors (serious ones) have or should begin to collect these fine photographs from the mid last century, not just earlier photographs.

My thanks to PHSC past president, sports photographer Les Jones, for the link and suggestion. An excellent idea from one of our most innovative presidents and programme directors.

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pretty as a picture

Posted on June 11, 2024 by Robert

1893 portrait of child by Alfred Pittaway, Ottawa

Toronto. In fact this is a picture from the Toronto Reference Library of a little girl photographed by Alfred Pittaway in 1893. Image collectors may have eclectic tastes, or focus on one aspect such as: Clarity, process, studio or subject. The subject can be famous, beautiful/handsome, or homely.

This pretty little girl graced the cover of our journal (issue 34-2) back in the fall of 2008 to highlight the lead article, “Photography in Ottawa”, written by member Thomas Ritchie.

Editor Bob Lansdale introduces the article and portrait this way, “Our lead article deals with “Photography in Ottawa: The First Half-Century, 1850- 1900.” In fact, author Thomas Ritchie has reached back a further five years to uncover who were the first itinerant photographers to hawk their daguerreian wares to the Bytown public.

“Our cover photograph is a child study by Alfred G. Pittaway (1858-1930) whose studio was located at 58 Sparks Street. This photograph was used as a tip-in frontispiece in the Canadian Photographic Journal, Vol. 2, No. 1 of February 1893.”

Members could read Mr Ritchie’s lead article in either the hard copy version, or more recently the PDF version on the DVD sent to members. Not a member? What’s keeping you? Go to the right-hand sidebar of this page and choose a one or three year membership, pay by your PayPal account (blue bar) or use your credit card (black bar) and the DVD will be sent to you.

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