Tag Archives: history

a book for Canada Day

Posted on July 1, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. McNally Robinson in Winnipeg have announced a new history of photography book set for release mid-August. Titled, “A History of Photography in Canada, Volume 1 – Anticipation to Participation, 1839-1918“, the author is Ms Martha Langford of Concordia in Montreal. … Continue reading →

Posted in book | Tagged , , | Comments Off on a book for Canada Day

hand in glove

Posted on June 1, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. In the summer of 1969, we were ecstatic to see on TV a B&W news short of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. For the first time ever man created enough energy in a rocket to break the hold … Continue reading →

Posted in activities-other | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on hand in glove

pressing out from the masses

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Once studios took off, savvy owners tried ways to differentiate their services from the pack. One way to accomplish this was to use the “McKee’s Cameo, Embossing and Imprint Press” on photographic prints delivered to customers. Issue 23-1 of … Continue reading →

Posted in activities | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on pressing out from the masses

another great use for AI

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. I received an email from past president Les Jones this weekend noting that a genealogy web site is using AI to estimate the date of a photo based on its contents. Since the service (called PhotoDater) is  used within … Continue reading →

Posted in activities-other | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on another great use for AI

nailing down the minicam revolution

Posted on April 2, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Some years ago, I had one of the early Retina camera models in my collection. I still have a slightly older Nagel Recomar. When the minicam revolution took off, Kodak bought the Nagel factory (end of 1931) in Stuttgart … Continue reading →

Posted in camera | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on nailing down the minicam revolution

Emerald isle thoughts and a camera question

Posted on March 17, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. And a fine St Pattie’s day to you too! On this lovely Monday, we share a tale from our friend and past president, author, sports photographer, collector, etc., etc., Les Jones. I received an email from Les asking if … Continue reading →

Posted in activities | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Emerald isle thoughts and a camera question

AI and photo history

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Some of us are bombarded by announcements about the marvellous results attained by artificial intelligence (AI). Here at the PHSC we use some apps touted as AI, especially Topaz Photo AI (with each update this program has shown improvement). … Continue reading →

Posted in activities-other | Tagged , , | Comments Off on AI and photo history

under the double ‘U’

Posted on February 25, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Before television ever existed and even before movies gained any traction, we had stereo B&W cards made by Underwood & Underwood. As a child in the mid 1940s, I  remember visiting a relative’s farm near-by and being enthralled by … Continue reading →

Posted in activities-other | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on under the double ‘U’

a naughty portrait …

Posted on February 16, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. We have the Black Creek Pioneer Village here while similar attractions exist elsewhere in our province like the village near Morrisburg. So what has this to do with photography? Well, some works of photographer and studio owner, William Notman, … Continue reading →

Posted in activities | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on a naughty portrait …

peck a little talk a little

Posted on January 31, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. When I see this photo, I think of the song from “The Music Man“, a 1957 broadway musical, made into a movie five years later. Photo collectors have a wide variety of photos in their collection, often a rich … Continue reading →

Posted in activities | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on peck a little talk a little