Tag Archives: portrait

the importance of connections …

Posted on November 27, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. When Ev Roseborough took over as editor of Photographic Canadiana, we entered a new era. Ev’s vast network of fellow professional photographers  brought in many new members, some speakers, and a wealth of experience in the photographic industry. This … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on the importance of connections …

remembering Iris …

Posted on November 10, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. In the article. “IRIS MCCAIG AND THE PORTRAIT OF CHARLES G. MILNE” the late Bob Lansdale relates his chat with Iris at 82 in the early fall 1992 journal issue 18-2. Iris is famous not only as a long … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on remembering Iris …

way before ‘flash’ gordon …

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. … in fact many decades before. NB. For those born after say 1990, here is the article on Mr Gordon. Meantime back  in the late 1800s, some enterprising folk came up with ways to compensate for the abysmally slow … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on way before ‘flash’ gordon …

sitting pretty

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. In the summer of 2005, late editor Bob Lansdale was still busy researching the Chromotype and similar carbon process B&W prints that purported to eliminate the nefarious fading issue that plagued photographs in the mid 1800s. Shown at left … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on sitting pretty

soft subject, soft lighting

Posted on July 6, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. An unidentified writer (our editor?) said in a prelude to the article “Wither Soft Light of the 1930s …” “I’ve been perplexed for years by certain lighting of nudes during the pictorial period. I don’t make any great study … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on soft subject, soft lighting

the mystery of Frankie D

Posted on June 30, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. The next step after the Daguerrotype was the use of glass plates. Initially glass plates used a wet solution (wet-plate) and years later a dry solution (dry-plate). To make the sensitized emulsion ‘hold’ to the glass, a sticky mixture … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on the mystery of Frankie D

doing it right with sweat and tears

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Robert

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on doing it right with sweat and tears

corny but collectible

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Robert

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, … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on corny but collectible

out in the sticks

Posted on June 8, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. This cover photograph for issue 34-1 (summer, 2008) of the journal is courtesy of the late Dr Robert Wilson. The child’s portrait is taken while the baby sits precariously on a stick furniture high chair, To describe the photograph, … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on out in the sticks

old time quality

Posted on May 26, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. When you visit the PHSC spring fair today, you may be lucky enough to discover an old photo done in a process that defies time like the portrait you see at left. The actual photograph was upscaled using Topaz … Continue reading →

Posted in processes | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on old time quality