daguerreotypist dreamin

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Robert

portrait of a little girl using media so slow the girl has to have a stand/char to keep still

Toronto. Do you ever wonder what a dag photographer might dream about while sitting on a grassy knoll in the bright sunlight? If he was a futurist like the fictional  Ralph 124C41+ by Hugo Gernsback or the real Alvin Toffler of third wave fame, he may have foreseen today’s digital photography in all its glory.

Imagine the change from B&W to colour; from glacial slow media to ultrafast; from results in minutes, days, weeks or more to nearly instantaneous; cameras the size of a stove to ones so small they fit on a pocket phone.

I picked up this daguerreotype (c1845) at left years ago at one of the PHSC fairs. Cleaned, the black iron stand can be seen between the child’s legs. The chair she is holding helps keep her steady too for the few minutes exposure needed for a ‘good likeness’. I sharpened the image slightly so you can see her eyes more clearly but this also enhanced the many tiny spots on the daguerreotype. Unfortunately, the effect of my cleaning has faded making the tarnished areas more noticeable while hiding the support.

NB. The post title is a riff on the 1966 song titled, “California Dreamin” by the Mamas and Papas.

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a boy and his camera

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Robert

One of John Boyd’s modified Speed Graphic cameras

Toronto. When the dirty 30s hit, people had to repair and reuse things – money was tight. Even photographers like John Boyd were affected. John was working for the Globe and Mail at the time. Over his 40 year career, with the Globe, John took many photos. In issue 33-2 of the Photographic Canadiana, our editor, the late Bob Lansdale, devoted three stories to this iconic local newspaper photographer.

Bob writes, “We have three stories about newspaper photographer John H. Boyd starting on page 6. We’ve garnered together some of his escapades while on assignment; then we illustrate and dissect one of his famous Speed Graphics which he strengthened and altered to suit the rigours of the press world. Our final portion, starting on page 10, consists of a selection of photographs from the Toronto City Archives about the dirty-thirties which Boyd photographed during his 40 year career with the Toronto Globe and Mail.”

These stories were a tasty treat for members in the fall of 2007. Later on, members could read about Boyd on our DVD. This DVD includes issue 33-2. The latest DVD covers all issues from 1 to 40. It is easy to join! Go to the right hand sidebar of this page and choose a membership period (for a year or three); then choose how you pay. A PayPal account can be used (blue bar). No account, or if you prefer to not use you PayPal account, then use   either a debit or a credit card instead (black bar). As a member, your DVD will be sent off to your mailing address.

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pictures at the fair

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Robert

Phototeria from Photographic Canadiana issue 33-1

Toronto. For a time a visit to a fair, arcade, amusement park, seaside, etc. could be commemorated by a tiny strip of photos for a quarter or so. There so called photo booths allowed a couple to sit in privacy and snap off three or four prints; wait a few minutes; and take home a strip of photos.

The summer of 2007, my good friend George Dunbar wrote a lengthy article on his discovery of a “Phototeria”, plus the history of this unusual booth. The story, covering a few pages, is in issue 33-1 of the Journal.

Members around 2007 read the story in a hard copy of the issue. More recently, members could read the story in the PDF version of the Journal. Not a member? It’s easy! Go to the righthand sidebar of this page; choose a one or three year membership; and pay with your PayPal account (blue bar) or use your debit or credit card (black bar). A copy of the DVD will be sent out for your enjoyment of volumes 1 through 40 of the journal plus a few extras.

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reach for da sky!

Posted on June 2, 2024 by Robert

Le Photo-Revolver by E. Krauss of Paris, 1921 – photo by Bob Lansdale

Toronto. Bob Lansdale wanted to add more balance to the journal with some ‘camera’ related articles. He was delighted to learn of the massive and exotic collection held by the late  Bill (father) and late John (son) down in the Port (Port Colborne). Both were on the executive of the PHSC at different times; Bill as president and later John as 1st VP and auction assistant.

The first camera chosen was the tiny 1921 Photo-Revolver by Krauss of Paris, France. Krause was one of the contractors for Zeiss lenses (I have a Krause Tessar for movie cameras).

The Kantymirs started their story like this, ‘Cameras which fire a bullet are in reality quite rare, except in the minds of fiction writers.

‘Uncommon, but existing in reality, are cameras which take on the appearance of a revolver or rifle but do not fire a bullet. Thomas Skaifes, inventor of the Pistolgraph, ca. 1858, when asked why he called his camera that name, replied that it was “in size and shape, not unlike a pistol – was held in the hand, and manipulated by means of a trigger like a pistol – one being constructed to take life, the other likenesses.”’

The photo and beginning text were extracted from issue 32-4 of the journal, printed in Mar/April of 2007. More recent members received a DVD which included the PDF version of 32-4 plus many other issues published before and after 32-4. No DVD? Not a member? Well, go to the righthand sidebar of this page; choose a one or three year membership; and pay with your PayPal account (blue bar) or by debit/credit card (black bar). You will receive your very own DVD in the mail, then you can read the rest of this article and many other articles of special interest to collectors of photographica – cameras, photos, history.

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when Kodak met art …

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Robert

a collection of Art Deco Kodaks featured on the cover of issue 32-3 of Photographic Canadiana

Toronto. … deco that is. In the 1930s and 40s the striking designs of Art Deco were a key factor in the cameras offered by Kodak.

Our late editor, Bob Lansdale explains, “When Modernism blossomed in the 1930s, Eastman Kodak in Rochester hired industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague to guide them in decorating their cameras in the “new” style.

“It led to a complete line of outer packaging, face plates and cover plates in bright colours. Teague had his hand also in designing and shaping new cameras of which some made use of pressure molded Bakelite plastic. See page 4 for story.

“The cover shows “Canadian Made” Kodak cameras of the 1930s and 1940s that Bill and John Kantymir have assembled. Page 13 describes part of their collection.”

Members read this article in the hard copy issue 32-3 at the end of 2006 or more recently they read a PDF version on the DVD sent to all members. Not yet a member? Just go to the Right Side Bar of this page; choose one or three years; and pay with your PayPal account (blue bar) or your debit/credit card (black bar) and we will send off a copy of the 40 volume DVD which includes this issue. Easy Peasy!

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time to close your collection for now …

Posted on May 31, 2024 by Robert

An exhibition of paintings – this example courtesy of the AGO

Toronto. … and visit the AGO! You may find the exhibition called, “MAKING HER MARK: A HISTORY OF WOMEN ARTISTS IN EUROPE, 1400-1800” of particular interest (on until July 1, 2024).

While viewing the paintings, think about the artists and their efforts to make each of these pre-photography paintings. In this era of smartphones, we rarely see such works of art as the paintings shown in this exhibition.

The AGO also has a photography section (in case photos are more to your liking). The late Dr Wilson was a member of the AGO and rented some interesting photos to decorate his home. The section was directed at one time by a generous and long time member of the PHSC, Maia-Mari Sutnik, and her successor Ms Sophie Hackett who also joined the PHSC.

Ms Sutnik has been a speaker on occasion and a gracious host when members visited the AGO photography section.

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making a woodie that works

Posted on May 30, 2024 by Robert

Cassell’s “Fully Illustrated” Camera Making

Toronto. While teaching at Humber College, PHSC member (and speaker) Neil Fox taught photography. He had his students construct their own ‘woodie’ to learn the art from the ground up.

In the 1800s, skill in carpentry and bellows layout allowed one to make a fine camera ready for the brass lens and glass plate holder. Many articles and books gave detailed instruction, including the 1894 book, ” Camera Making” (cover shown at left).

There is a book review and articles on camera making in our journal 32-2 issued the fall of 2006.

To introduce the topic, late editor Bob Lansdale writes, “We have gathered together in this issue of Photographic Canadiana, a number of articles, starting on page 4 and later on page 16, dedicated to the building of cameras and bellows. Our information dates back as far as 1894 with the set of instructions printed in Cassell’s “Work” Handbook entitled Camera Making.

“To give a recent touch to camera making President Ed Warner tells us the story of building an 8×10 wooden camera with salvaged parts plus a number of fixtures of his own creation.”

PHSC members have all ready read these articles in either the hard copy version or as a PDF file on the DVD we gave to every member. Not a member yet? Well go to the righthand side-bar, choose a one or three year membership, and pay via your PayPal account (blue bar) or use a debit/credit card (black bar) and you will receive your personal DVD of back issues from volume 1 to 40.

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dark s(l)ide

Posted on May 29, 2024 by Robert

The Warnerke camera with roller dark-slide

Toronto. Leon Warnerke was a UK based “Entrepreneur/Inventor Extraordinaire [and] Royal Photographic Society Progress Medallist”. Photographic Canadiana, issue 32-1, dated May/June 2006 carries the story of this UK immigrant and his dark underside.

The story is introduced by our late editor Bob Lansdale who writes, “Beginning on page four, we have two articles outlining the interesting biography of Leon Warnerke who arrived in London, England in 1870-71. He gained much public attention for his many photographic inventions and his leadership within the European photographic community.

“But it is only in recent years that the dark side of his character has been revealed – and that we reserve for our second feature on Mr. Warnerke beginning on page six. Ev Roseborough [late editor emeritus of the journal] has been working on this project for several years and brings it finally to fruition.”

Members have read this exciting story in the original hard copy issue of the journal or the PDF copy on their DVD. If you are not a member, just go to the right side-bar and choose a one or three year membership. Pay by your PayPal account (blue bar) or use a debit or credit card (black bar) and you will receive your personal DVD including issue 32-1 and these articles shortly.

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Mediterranean Rainbow

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Robert

photograph by Vincenzo Pietropaolo

Toronto. Local photographer and author, Vincenzo Pietropaolo, announces the exhibition of his latest work (June 4-28, 2024). Vince has been a PHSC member for many years and a speaker from time to time.

Vince announces, “I would like to invite you to a new exhibition of my work —Unveiling the Queer Italian-Canadian Experience—a photographic and literary exhibit, in collaboration with Montreal writer Liana Cusmano.

“This is a ground-breaking historical exhibition exploring queerness in the Italian community. Please drop in if you’re in Toronto and let others know.

“As always, thanks for your support.”

Vincenzo

Opening reception: June 4th, 7:00 p.m.
Exhibition continues until June 28th
Joseph Carrier Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Avenue West
Further information: villacharities.com/exhibit

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a couple of bills …

Posted on May 27, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. I learnt a lot about my homeland from Bob Lansdale. Bob was devoted to promoting Canadian photographic inventions, studios, and photographers. When he stewarded our journal, Photographic Canadiana, he went the extra length to research and promote any and all Canadian content.

A case in point was his efforts to research the William Notman studio in Montreal and its success both to the north west and down the eastern seaboard of the states. In Ottawa, Notman was represented by a famous studio, founded by William Topley and continued on by his son, brothers and nephews.

Journal issue 31-3, release at the end of 2005, published a lengthy, well documented article by Thomas Ritchie titled, “William James Topley and Ottawa’s Topley Family of Photographers” followed by a full column of, “Notes and References”.

In the article’s précis, Ritchie writes, “William James Topley (1845 – 1930), his son, his two brothers, and his two nephews were Ottawa photographers whose careers in combination spanned from the decade of Canadian Confederation in 1867 to the third decade of the 20th Century, a time in which Canadians were engaged in the building of a new nation.

“Topley cameras captured images of both eminent and ordinary Canadians, of aboriginals and immigrants, and recorded the activities involved in nation-building. They photographed survey and construction gangs that laid out and built railways, and they pictured the work of the loggers, mill hands, fishermen, farmers and others.

“William Topley’s photographic career started with the gift of a camera from his mother, herself an amateur photographer. His professional skills were acquired in the studio of William Notman of Montreal, accounting for the high quality of his finished images.

“Thousands of Topley photographs are preserved in archives providing a rich record of this country’s history and development.”

The issue is included on the DVD mailed to members. Not a member as yet? Not to worry! See the right sidebar of this page, choose a one or three year membership; pay with your PayPal account (blue bar) or by debit/credit card (black bar) and your DVD will be mailed out to you. Easy Peasy!

NB, the title of this post brought to mind Billy Joel, but it was actually a riff on a line from a song sung by Joe Walsh (one time of the Eagles) titled, “One Day at a Time“. Here is the song as sung by Walsh.

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