Tag Archives: studio

lights out …

Posted on July 31, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. The photo at left shows closing day at Simpson Brothers in Toronto. The year was 1955 and it was the end of the skylight and dry-plate era. Since the 1800s, photo studios clustered around the Yonge-King-Queen corner of Toronto. … Continue reading →

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flashes of fancy

Posted on July 30, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Our then recently appointed editor, Ev Roseborough wrote an engaging story in issue 13-5 called, “The Twenty-fourth of May – everyday”. Ev’s skills as a photographer make a point that to be a good editor one must be devoted … Continue reading →

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an enlightening experience

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Collectors can relate to (Professor) Lindsay Lambert in his late spring 2004 tale.  Living up Ottawa way, Lindsay is known for collecting and talking on magic lanterns and their  assorted extras. That spring, we produced issue 30-1 of our … Continue reading →

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kidding around …

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. … in the 1870s. Hard to imagine, but this crisp, well exposed portrait of a little girl is over 150 years old! Many prints this old – or far younger – have succumbed to fading,  lost detail, etc. This … Continue reading →

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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 →

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a gaggle of cameras

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Robert

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 … Continue reading →

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pretty as a picture

Posted on June 11, 2024 by Robert

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. … Continue reading →

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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 →

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multi-tasking over a century ago

Posted on May 25, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Around 1900, a rare Goerz combination camera/opera glass/field glass was sold. The gadget, made in Berlin by C P Goerz, was not very popular at the  time. Similar gadgets were created and sold both before and after. As opera/field … Continue reading →

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a photographer’s dream

Posted on May 24, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. PHSC member Ed Warner wears a lot of hats. Our past-president and all around helper is also an accomplished craftsman with a toolroom in his garage. Over the years Ed attended the various fairs and picked up many items … Continue reading →

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