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The PHSC Volume 9-9, Supplement E-MAIL to Photographic Canadiana, December 2009 The Photographic Historical Society of Canada

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009… NOTE TO PHSC MEMBERS It is our Christmas program featur- The alliance between Black’s ing SHOW & TELL NITE when Photography and the Greater members share examples from their Toronto Council of Camera Clubs, collections offering the memories GTCCC, has been dissolved. This is through mutual agreement, but of how and when they got them. has an important ramification. That Our members are an eclectic bunch being: The offering of Camera Club so you never know what to expect Member Discounts at Black’s stores NO LONGER EXIST. at this annual event except it will be unusual and interesting. Bring something yourself! A Silent Auction will be on hand for members and visitors to partici- PHSC Monthly Meetings pate in throughout the early part of the program. Look to the tables. are held on the third Wednesday from September to June in the Gold Room, It is also our annual Christmas Party with the GIFT EXCHANGE so to of Memorial Hall in the basement of participate you must bring a wrapped gift to the value of less than $15. the North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge St., North York, Ontario. The public is welcome - please join us. The meeting officially begins at 8:00 p.m. but is preceded by a Buy & Sell We expect to be back in our usual location. and social gathering from 7:00 p.m. Meetings held in the Gold Room, (basement) of the North York Central onwards. For information contact the PHSC or Felix Russo, 33 Indian Rd. Library, 5120 Yonge Street. Handy TTC Subway stop at the library door. Cres., Toronto, ON, M6P 2E9, Phone Also there is plenty of underground parking (416) 532-7780.

Programming Schedule: THE GTCCC 2010 INTERCLUB PHOTO COMPETITION December 16th, 2009 -This is our Christmas Party which Please note that persons who wish to enter pictures into the GTCCC 2010 Interclub also features popular Show & Tell Nite. Competition MUST have entries handed in to PHSC Rep, Ed Warner by the 20th YOU MUST BRING A WRAPPED of January. Ed will take them to the GTCCC meeting on the 28th to be entered PRESENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE for judging. You can receive official entry forms at our December meeting or by GIFT EXCHANGE. There will also be a requesting a PDF file from Ed Warner at [email protected]. Silent Auction. •At this time there is no commercial sponsorship for Interclub 2010. If you have January 20th, 2010 -Jim Trautman will give us a visual any suggestions, contact Antony George or George Webster. presentation on his excellent aerial •Note that slides have been eliminated from the competition this year. If a mem- photography. ber wished to enter an image which is on a slide, they should scan it and then enter February 17th, 2009 it either as a projected digital image or as a print. -Lorne Shields with a 3D presentation •We will be asking for print entries to be accompanied by the equivalent digital on bicycle photographic history. image wherever possible. This will give us the best quality image of the prints for Send program suggestions to inclusion on the Interclub CD and on the website. Camelford will include instruc- Felix Russo at (416) 532-7780 or tions for this procedure in his instructions to club Reps. e-mail to [email protected]. We are always interested in hearing •The entered digital image accompanying the PRINT, should be a “JPEG.” This new suggestions. is to achieve uniformity. As with the size of digital images submitted as “entries,” FOR PROGRAM UPDATES the MAXIMUM size of the longest side should be 1024 pixels. www.phsc.ca Begin now to prepare your images, and get them into the hands our E-mail address is of PHSC Rep Ed Warner. The DEADLINE is January 20, 2010. [email protected] The forms, to be used, will be available at our regular Decem- Robert A. Carter – Webmaster ber meeting. –Ed Warner, [email protected]

THE PHSC E-MAIL 1 VOL. 9-9 December 2009 Our November 2009 Meeting see complete reviews on PHSC web site at WWW.PHSC.CA

Toronto Notes Reported by Robert Carter – COME ENJOY OUR NEXT MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16TH, 2009 Larry Frank is a well known and of 1883. He showed how the artist popular photographer, traveller, writer, chose the hue and intensity of colours presenter, Photoshop instructor, and and added or removed picture ele- digital retouch artist. He pioneered the ments (buildings, people, trees) to Nikon School of Photography, Silver create what he felt – not necessarily to Silicon, and the School of Travel what he saw. He followed this very Photography and Travel Techniques literal painting with Van Gogh’s famous seminars in Canada. You can visit his Starry Night c1889 with its strange web site at larryfrankphoto.com. shapes and unusual sky. Larry reminded us of the com- Examples of digital images fol- plexities of the old film-based slide lowed, clearly showing the artist’s shows with the multiple projectors, power is now in the hands of the digi- slide trays, and audio tapes. The tal photographer - intensifying select-

manual synchronization was a poten- LANSDALE PHOTOS BY ROBERT ed bits of colour, removing distrac- tial nightmare. Today, his shows need tions from an image, using vignetting only one digital projector and a com- and selective sharpening, adding and puter to accomplish even more elabo- removing colour, converting to Black rate multi-image effects including and White, etc. video snippets, with no need for man- Larry gave detailed instruction on ual sync during the presentation. LARRY FRANK how to vignette in Photoshop and the He opened with the slide show effect on the image. He posted the Rhythm Jazz Dance which can be seen image of the Japanese girl after he on his web site under Slide Shows. It finished tuning it. One viewer suggest- was created entirely on an Apple Mac, ed the girl’s bright shoulders detracted including the music - a fast action from the theme. Larry used a vignette piece composed by Larry. He feels that to darken the shoulders and bring the the greatest tool for a photographer viewer’s eye into the image. after the digital camera is the Mac Selective saturation. In the picture computer as it allows the photogra- of the woman walking in the rain, Larry pher incredible freedom to embellish saturated the red columns and their his images and bring them to life. reflections. He also made the original He quoted columnist Jennifer Wells Larry demonstrates the advantages of cropping dull beige umbrella a matching red. in the Toronto Star, “I have a theory that and vignetting by Photoshop software. Cereal Bus is a tongue in cheek picture digital cameras kill thinking. There’s so impossible to make with film. In the much clicking going on that I suspect spirit of the ubiquitous USB, Larry shot we don’t see what we’re seeing until we a bus named “Universal Bus Company” play back the photos on the camera. It’s and added motion blur to give it a madness.” At first Larry took exception sense of motion. Separately photo- to this view, then suggested it might be graphed boxes of cereal were carefully right. He describes pictures viewed in sized, aligned and inserted to show the camera and those left as raw files through the windows. being in digital limbo - “every digital Selective colour shows how an image needs some loving care in image can be converted to black & Photoshop” to bring out the photogra- white then an area can be selected pher’s impression. President Clint Hryhorijiw and program Director Felix Russo thank guest speaker Larry Frank. and restored to colour and saturated if During his talk, he defined unal- desired for more emphasis. As shot, a Only on rare occasions could we tered images as low bandwidth - like family scene is soft and a bit unsatu- show in the print what we felt when snap shots taken to the dollar store rated. In Photoshop, Larry was able to we snapped the button.” With digital for mass printing. Working on the sharpen and add colour saturation to photography and the Mac, photogra- images to bring them closer to the give the scene sparkle. Vignetting phers are emancipated. They can get photographer’s vision adds band- pulls the eye to the group. The dark- more information across to the viewer, width, providing more information for ening of the edges to focus the eye is and are now in league with some of the viewer and moving the raw file/ an old trick used by the oil on canvas the world’s greatest artists. raw image out of digital limbo. painters of years ago. He demonstrated this idea using He noted in the days of film, “we A complete slide lecture is at some famous paintings, beginning photographers were handicapped. www.phsc.ca/Larry-Frank.html with Vincent Van Gogh’s Bulb Fields

THE PHSC E-MAIL 2 VOL. 9-9 December 2009 Interestingly, major players such as Canon and Nikon have yet to catch up to the large-sensor FROM THE ‘NET compacts fray. We contacted some brands to see whether con- Leonard Goh of CNET Asia better picture quality. However, sumers can expect similar offer- takes the podium to speculate the dSLRs tend to be bulky and heavy. ings from them soon, and here are following: Which is why a compact camera their response. In digital cameras, one of the with a larger sensor and operates Andrew Koh, director and gen- most important components is the like a dSLR is an ideal compro- eral manager of Canon Consumer image sensor. Traditionally, it has mise. Imaging and Information Division been said that a larger sensor The Micro Four Thirds system of Canon Singapore, said that hav- equates to better image quality as announced last year is probably ing a larger sensor is one way to there is more surface area for light one of the best representations of yield better picture quality, but a to fall on to capture the image. a large-sensor compact shooter. more cost-effective method is to The 12-megapixel Olympus E-P1 improve the image processing and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1, algorithm and processors. He also though targeted at mainstream mentioned that the company views users, have attracted the attention the Micro Four Thirds system as a of professional photographers. niche market and the firm will continue to focus on its dSLR business instead. The company was tight lipped when asked whether it would develop a system similar to Micro Four Thirds. We think there is a chance that Canon may produce a compact interchangeable So what constitutes a large lens system simply because the sensor? To get a better perspec- M9 has showed that it is possible. tive, check the image, above, to Lens-mount wise, if Canon does see a scaled representation of the commonly used sensor sizes found in digicams. We refer to large sensors as Four Thirds and bigger, so OLYMPUS E-P1 shooters such as the Canon PowerShot S90 and G11 are not On Leica’s end, the German included as the sensors used in company recently announced the them are no bigger than the nail on world’s first full-frame digital your pinkie finger. rangefinder, the M9, and the X1, a Typically, large sensors are compact camera with an APS-C- used only in dSLRs but lately sized sensor. However, this duo is they’ve been finding their way into priced beyond the reach of the average consumers. For some- more compact shooters such as CANON COMPACT (composite) those utilizing the Micro Four thing more affordable, shutterbugs can look to the Sigma DP2, a Thirds standard. However, current- churn out such a camera, it would point-and-shoot with fixed focal ly such snappers are geared more require adapters to attach current length lens and an APS-C-sized toward enthusiasts who may view EOS optics on it. these cameras as a bridge between sensor. Although its thunder may have been stolen by the X1, the On Nikon’s end, the Japanese conventional point-and-shoots imaging giant was not able to and dSLRs. DP2 still has a small group of fol- lowers who rave about the cam- comment on whether the company Given how digital imaging tech- era’s excellent picture quality. is making a camera like the Leica nology is still evolving, we believe X1. The company did mention sev- Professional photographers that large-sensor compacts will eral years ago that it was planning these days use high-end dSLRs become a staple for the imaging to create such a shooter. However, for work and these equipment tend industry in the future. Here’s why. nothing has materialized since. to be bulky and heavy. But there Looking back at Nikon’s history, its These days, digicams are get- are compact professional camer- S-series rangefinder cameras ting more affordable and photog- as. Acclaimed photographer Henri which were well received in the raphy is becoming an easily acces- Cartier Bresson (1908-2004) chose 1960s will be ideal for implement- sible hobby. Naturally, users with Leica rangefinders for his work ing a large sensor due to their point-and-shoots will want to because they are light and the compact footprint. It will also be a upgrade to a more advanced cam- small footprint doesn’t draw atten- boost for the company to revive era, such as a dSLR, that produces tion to him.

THE PHSC E-MAIL 3 VOL. 9-9 December 2009 this lineup, just as Olympus did been around for a while and it’s for the original point-and-click with its Pen-family shooters. about time it evolve to fill the gap Polaroid camera.Last year Polaroid There are speculations online between compacts and dSLR. The announced it would cease produc- pointing to Fujifilm entering the Micro Four Thirds system has tion entirely. Micro Four Thirds consortium, and started the trend, and we think it’s But now through the Impossible the company will use its award- only a matter of time within the Project, a group of Polaroid geeks winning EXR sensor in the rumored next couple of years that other based in Enschede, Netherlands, M-S10 camera. We won’t be sur- brands will follow suit. Don’t expect is set to revive large-scale produc- prised if Fujifilm join Olympus and point-and-shoots to be phased tion of the SX-70/600 film system, Panasonic in the Micro Four Thirds out because it will still cater to the with worldwide sales beginning family because word on the Web majority of consumers, but we early next year. The first film would has it that Fujifilm is holding back believe advanced compacts with be black and white, with colour to its production of Nikon F-mount large sensors will see the biggest follow later in the year. growth in the industry. dSLRs and that the partnership The timing of the announce- between these two companies And in other news: This was ment, in Hong Kong was deliber- have ended. So in order for Fujifilm recently found in one of the pyramids ate. The last batch of Polaroid film to reach out to the more savvy in Egypt... turned out to be digital. expired around the world on Oct. users, the Micro Four Thirds sys- 9. Summit Global Group, the new tem is an ideal platform where licensee of the Polaroid brand, lenses and accessories are already announced the deal with the available. We contacted the Impossible Project. Japanese firm regarding this rumor, but like Nikon, the firm has no What just a few years ago was comments. obsolete and unsophisticated is now heralded as “vintage,” “iconic,” and, above all, analog and un- Photoshopable. The Impossible Project is also behind Polanoid, an online site that showcases photographers’ Panasonic Corp. said Thursday work with the old cameras. it will take majority control of Sanyo Marlene Kelnreiter says she got Electric Co. in a $4.6-billion deal, involved in the project through a forging one of the biggest elec- friend who is a Polaroid photogra- tronics makers in the world with an pher for the 17,000-member edge in green technologies. Polanoid. Panasonic said it will buy 50.2 per SAMSUNG NX (2010) The two drivers behind the cent of Sanyo for ¥403.78-billion project are Austrian photographer ($4.6-billion U.S.) after closing its Florian Kaps, who bought a half- For Samsung, the Korean five-week tender offer that began million Polaroid film packages after chaebol has the NX-series which on Nov. 5. The world’s biggest the company filed for bankruptcy is currently still under develop- plasma TV maker will pay ¥131 per protection in 2008, and Andre ment. It is an interchangeable lens Sanyo share. With the purchase, Bosman, former head of film pro- system, too, like Micro Four Thirds, Panasonic can draw upon Sanyo’s duction at the Polaroid factory in though it will use the bigger APS- expertise in solar panels and Enschede. C-sized image sensor. This is rechargeable batteries, bolstering where Sony comes in. In its resources in the race to develop But the revival of the iconic September, UK-based magazine environmental technologies. For system isn’t a simple matter. Amateur Photographer spoke to Sanyo, the takeover offers the Chemical processes and the Sony’s excutives regarding the struggling company a much-need- chemicals themselves must be impact of Micro Four Thirds-like ed lifeline. Founded by a brother- reinvented in a factory that, though systems on the firm. The Japanese in-law of Panasonic founder littered with Polaroid detritus of electronics giant expressed inter- Konosuke Matsushita, Sanyo is a yore, lacks the necessary materi- est in developing such cameras popular brand but in recent years als to restart production. but it won’t join the Micro Four has been seen as a relative loser in Environmental rules enacted over Thirds camp. It further added that Japan’s competitive electronics the years have banned many of if it does produce interchangeable sector. the old chemicals, said Kelnreiter, lens system shooters, it will be so the scientists in Enschede have It’s been in the news for some had to develop new ones. better than the NX lineup. time but a group of dedicated and Assembled with thanks from reports by So what is the conclusion? determined dreamers have Fastlens and CNET Asia. Digital point-and-shoots have announced they’re producing film THE PHSC E-MAIL 4 VOL. 9-9 December 2009 Touring the Daguerreian Symposium…

Photography by Robert Lansdale FOR A COMPLETE PHOTO ROUNDUP OF THE DAGUERREIAN SYMPOSIUM VISIT OUR PHSC WEB SITE AND CONNECT TO THE KODAK GALLERY AT http://tinyurl.com/yzqsw3w Those attending the 21st Daguerreian Society Symposium in Philadelphia were thoroughly reward- ed with knowledgeable speakers, special exhibitions and a bountiful TradeFair that offered a room full of shiny daguerreian images plus other tempting photographica. The photos tell the story better than words. First day seminars begin in the ballroom of the Crown Attendees were drawn from Europe, Canada, Plaza Hotel in Philadelphia, November 12, 2009. America, Australia, Hawaii and Alaska.

Alex Novak led panel on con- J.J. Chen gave personal expe- Grant Romer, retired now from Adrienne Lundgren gave strat- Jeff Richman of Green-Wood servation of daguerreotypes. riences in conserving probems GEH, conserved over 30 years. egies at Library of Congress. cemetery has listings on-line.

Matthew Isenburg showed Sarah Weatherwax explained Cliff Krainik described life of Elena Bulat looks after 3000 Jean-Pierre Spilbauer updated known faces of Daguerre. Philadelphia daguerreotypes. John Plumbe of Philadelphia. daguerreotypes at Harvard. work on Daguerre’s Diorama.

Nick Graver, Rochester, checks laptop dagerre- Canadians: Howard and Carol Tanenbaum, Felix and From afar: Jackie Mahi Erickson,Hawaii, Boyce oype collection of Mike Robinson, Toronto. Yolanda Russo, Bob Wilson and Bob Lansdale. Bush, Alaska and Bruce Erickson of Hawaii. THE PHSC E-MAIL 5 VOL. 9-9 December 2009 THE DAGUERREIAN SYMPOSIUM IN PHILADELPHIA

The ballroom during the annual banquet with Ca- John Craig, Grant Romer, Jean-Pierre Spilbauer holding Greg French who headed up the Auction commit- nadian table in the foreground. his Fellowship Award certificates, and Len Walle tee to raise extra publishing funds for the Society.

Extra treat to view the earliest Cornelius daguerre- John Van Horne welcome visitors to Library Company Neil McDonald, Bob Wilson and Felix Russo of otypes at Historical Society of Pennsylvania. of Philadelphia for special exhibition and reception. Toronto at reception at Library Co of Philadelphia.

During live auction after banquet Cartes de visite offered by Ka- Full tables of cased images out Jeremy Rowe bought modern Rob McElroy of Buffalo shows Barbara Bauer makes her bid. tie Landrigan at Trade Fair. on table display for sale. daguerreotype by M. Robinson. modern daguerreotypes.

The Trade Fair in full swing as symposium attend- Mary Benson helps Howard Tanenbaum and wife Carol Ellen Kaye uses digital picture frame to show ees get first chance to search the images. look for daguerreotype images from the mid-1800s. many images in place of elaborate books.

Barbara Bauer, Wes Cowan, Cindy Motzenbecker, New executive for 2010: Mike Robinson and Sally An- All the way from Melbourne, Australia Warwick Katie Landrigan and Elizabeth Isenburg at Library. yan, Cindy Motzenbecker, Jeremy Rowe, Karen Kunz. Reeder records memories to take home.

THE PHSC E-MAIL 6 VOL. 9-9 December 2009 A Story from the Daguerreian Symposium… by Bill Becker At the Daguerreian Benefit Portraits. It is unrelated to my and other countries. Stephenson Auction Bill Becker of Michigan Meade Brothers portrait. And, was Engineer-in-Chief of the new took the chance of a life time when there do not seem to be any deriv- Grand Trunk Railway in Canada he thought he recognized the per- ative portraits (engravings or paint- (1853-1859). He was also famous son in an unidentified daguerro- ings) from the Meade image. as a builder of railroad bridges, his type portrait. As he describes the greatest achievement in that arena event: “Yes, I confess, I wasn’t being the Victoria Bridge over the 100% sure who he was and want- St. Lawrence in Montreal. As I’ve ed to confirm my identification by determined he traveled to Canada searching online before bidding on in August and September of 1853 the image. I headed for the hotel to consult on the Victoria Bridge lobby where internet services were project, which is the time period available. But there were kids on when this daguerreotype would all the computers playing games have been taken. RS arrived in while their dad was idly browsing a New York on the RMS Asia, July car site. It thwarted my efforts and 29, 1853, and departed for also a business traveler who was England, 21 September 1853 fol- anxiously waiting in line ahead of lowing a week of sightseeing in me. New York City. “So I had to hope my tentative “Stephenson was the first ID was correct and just take my Engineer-in-Chief of the Grand chances in the auction. Right after Trunk Railway and he traveled to making the successful purchase I Montreal in order to consult on headed back to the computers engineering matters including the and did a quick search. The first LANSDALE PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT design and construction of the comparison photo I found was a Victoria Bridge over the St. Maull & Polyblank albumen print Lawrence. The bridge, which from 1856 of what looked to be my opened shortly after Stephenson’s portrait sitter. death, was considered at the time to be ‘the greatest of all railway “A bit later, I conducted a more “This whole-plate daguerreo- structures.’ serious search of the online collec- type by the Meade Brothers is tions at the National Portrait Gallery “According to Graham W. definitely of Robert Stephenson, in London, UK and a variety of Garrett’s Biographical Index of the engineer whose designs and other museums and confirmed the Daguerreotypists in Canada 1839- inventions touched off the railroad identity of my sitter as Robert 1871 the Meade Brothers operated revolution. He designed and built Stephenson (1803–1859) and a number of branch galleries in the famous locomotive “Rocket” determined that there is only one Canada. So while I think it unlikely, (1829) that led to the first success- other known daguerreotype of him. it can’t be ruled out that the ful passenger railway. He devel- That would be the quarter-plate at daguerreotype might have been oped thousands of miles of rail- the Portrait Gallery which is repro- produced in Canada.” roads in Britain, Norway, Egypt duced in their book, Camera

IF you like reading this PHSC E-Mail newsletter then you’ll thoroughly enjoy our hard copy Photographic Canadiana. Four issues of twenty B&W pages of in-depth research for PHOTOGRAPHIC only $35.00 per year. For more information check out www.phsc.ca/member_form.PDF CANADIANA 2010 Dec. 2009 – Jan. Volume 35 Number 3 Our members have received this latest issue which has a story on The Soho Reflex SLR of the early 1900s along with a five page feature on Tecumseh’s Warrior – Early photography and the making of a North American legend. Over the past year we’ve revealed the mystery of the Gordon Camera; early cinematography in Canada; investigated a Fireman daguerreian portrait from Kingston; discovered the first daylight processing tank; revealed an early photo album from British

PROJECTOR– 1888 THEPETTIBONE “PEACOCK” Columbia; found Octagons on Kodak cameras; a Love Story from World War One; photo OF CANADA HISTORICALSOCIETY THE PHOTOGRAPHIC processes of early colour, carbon printing and Chromotypes, plus special reports.

THE PHSC E-MAIL 7 VOL. 9-9 December 2009 An Enigma That Waits to be Resolved

by Robert Lansdale

As part of the special exhibit Four card set includes by the Chester County Historical portraits of Passmore Society at the recent Daguerreian Williamson, Frederick A. Symposium in Philadelphia, a Douglass, Ferdinand J. set of cards was offered each Dreer and the Denis Family. bearing a reproduction of a selected daguerreotype that was on exhibit. The image Below is a close detail of the face and shadow of the we wish to draw attention to Williamson portrait. shows Passmore Williamson

that light from a small window at eye level illuminated the head. OR WAS IT? I showed the card to several knowledgeable notables at the Symposium and raised the question as to whether a mirror or Ron Maurer and Pamela Powell hosted the special several mirrors might Chester County Historical Society exhibition. have been used to direct the light onto who was imprisoned under writ the face. They concurred with the of habeas corpus for assisting possibility. Keith Davis added the the slave Jane Johnson and her information that he had toured an to source out the actual site of children to escape. Williamson old prison where he noticed that the photograph and visualize was photographed at some point the only light entering (for security the equipment necessary to in 1855 during his four-month reasons) was through an opening accomplish the portrait. stay at Moyamensing Prison, in the roof. Making use of mirrors The original daguerreotype Philiadelphia. Williamson was in such a situation would have is attributed to John Steck of Secretary of the Acting Committee been the only recourse. So our Philadelphia who is recorded as a of the Pennsylvania Society for image remains an enigma. daguerreotypist from 1849 to the Promoting the Abolition of Slavery. 1860s. Judge Kane, hoped to make an Possibly further research could example of Williamson to other be done following the system The Chester County Historical abolitionists in the high profile suggested by Joe Bauman of Society is at 225 N. High Street, trial; instead he revealed his own photographing the eyes of the West Chester, PA 19380-2691 bias, bringing his career to ruin. image at extreme magnification to or www.chestercohistorical. see if it shows the lighting system org. Pamela Powell is exhibition I was drawn to the image for used as reflected on the surface curator. the flat lighting of the face and of the eyes. [see Photographic the large shadow to the left of the Canadiana, Vol 31-4, Jan./Feb. Williamson’s head. It would seem 2006]. If the prison still exists that the subject was positioned so then it might be worth a visit

THE PHSC E-MAIL 8 VOL. 9-9 December 2009 Checking out the Backstamps…

to my ‘bucket’ for your review. I’d be interested in receiving 300dpi scans of backmarks that don’t appear on these pages. “In searching through some frankly amazing collections, the backstamps which draw the most

IMAGES BY MARK CHALABALA attention from me are what I call ‘high art’ backstamps. Generally speaking these backstamps have the highest quality ‘line-art’ and usually show patriotic or allegorical Mark “Chewie” Chalabala of backstamp out there, the “finds” in themes. These backs aren’t all that Brookfield, Illinois sends along recent months have mostly been common but most clearly illustrate a communication worthy of derrivations on existing themes. (pun intended) the highly illustrative investigating. He draws attention art of the CDV backstamp. “The backstamp count now to his web site at http://www. hovers close to 2,000 and my “I leave it up to the contributors to tubahouse.com/backsides.htm site, ‘Backsides.htm’ is now determine if they want their names which offers a good source for woefully out of date. Regardless, used in the book, but I hope all will research. I’m now being more direct in my search through their collections for “Over the last 3 years or so I solicitations. As I begin to flush the odd/unusual backstamp. have sought out to assemble a out the text on carte backstamps, “My category of foreign compilation of every known artistic there are several areas where you, backstamps will encompass about backstamp here in the states. my fellow collectors could help: 4-6 pages and hopes to compare Following in Darrah’s footsteps I’ve “A number of photographers similar themes between the US worked hard to both assemble the seemed to understand the backstamp and those of other backstamp artistry as well as to marketing potential of the countries.” build a cataloging system to group backstamp and made frequent –MC the designs by prominent feature. changes to their imprints. Among While there’s been lots of input these were Bogardus, Walzl and and conjecture on the categories Cadwallader. In the proposed chosen, the amassing of images book, each would be given their is just about complete. While I own page. Hopefully I’ll have these concede that it’s impossible to pages laid out and I can post them positively KNOW you have every THE PHSC E-MAIL 9 VOL. 9-9 December 2009 An Image Worth Discovering… by Mark Chalabala

Here is a carte de [Editor’s note: It took much Photoshop visite, a typical child manipulation to recapture some of the study – or so I thought, faded imagery of the original scan, as which didn’t gain well as separate the subject from the much attention until it background. I hope I haven’t altered it was slipped from its too much.] protective album page. I picked up the album at the Allegan Michigan show. It contained mostly Canada West images so it might have a Canadian connection. The much faded image is a CDV and I show it first as a page from the album as I first found it. It wasn't until I got things taken apart that I saw what the little nipper was standing on – it is a large wet plate camera. I believe Matt Isenburg recognized it as a The photographer of the Roberts or Robertson camera, but image was W. Blashill of OF MARK CHALABALA IMAGES COURTESY I'm not all that interested in the Erin C.W. (Ontario). He was hardware aspect. The backstamp in business only 1864-1865 was just typeset – no design. The according to The Ontario image is poorly processed but it is Photographers List (1851- interesting. I hope this all helps. 1900) by Glen C. Phillips.

A Mystery to Solve... by Robert Lansdale John Marriage, editor of Close inspection revealed an Photographica World, journal of odd structure-combination of a the Photographic Collectors Club suspension bridge with the usual of Great Britain, sent us the accom- cables, plus an underpinning steel panying photograph which was a arch nearing completion. Other mystery to him. The 16x20 framed construction pictures seem rare. print at least had a photographer’s We located a book Niagara’s stamp identified as H.F. Nielson of Gorge Bridges by Paul E. Lewis, Niagara Falls, USA. recently published by Looking Internet searching found quite Back Press in St. Catharines, Ont. decking of the old bridge to sup- a few bridges spanning the Niagara Still to be searched at Brock port steel girders during construc- River gorge. The distinctive arch University is an Album of photo- tion of the new arch. The soon identified it as the Upper graphs taken during construction Suspension Bridge was then Steel Arch Bridge, the Honeymoon of the USA, (or Honeymoon) removed to Lewiston–Queenston. Bridge, or the Falls View Bridge – Bridge, Sept. 9, 1897 - July 16, Editor Marriage still would like to built in 1897-8 and destroyed by 1898. receive details of photographer H.F. ice in 1938. Engineers used the cabling and Nielson. [email protected]

THE PHSC E-MAIL 10 VOL. 9-9 December 2009 f295 ANNOUNCEMENT GEORGE HUNTER PHOTO EXHIBIT AT WOODBRIDGE Many are aware of the excellent workshops run by F295 in Co-exhibited with carver Co-exhibitor Abraham Ruben Pittsburgh, PA. with their aim to Abraham Anghik Ruben at the is a noted carver of Eskimo and preserve the 19th century pro- Kipling Gallery in Woodbridge, Indian themes; his over-powering cesses. A Three Day Daguerreotype venerable photographer George sculptures formed a fine setting workshop is already full while the Hunter showed many of his for the same-theme images by Handmade Large Format 1946 Arctic images which are Hunter. Ruben’s carvings are in Photography is half full and each digitally-produced fine art prints the collections of many noted of the other courses having at from his original black and white Canadian galleries. The exhibit least one person signed up. negatives. is to travel across Canada. They are bringing attention to another workshop by instructors Tom & Cindy Persinger which will run July 25-30, 2010. PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT LANSDALE PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT Image Yellowstone River, 2009 by Tom Persinger 2009 by Tom River, Image Yellowstone This multi-faceted 5-day work- George Hunter, now in his eighties, recalls memories of his shop examines both visual and trips to the Canadian North to photograph Eskimo life. textual depictions of the American West from the 18th through 21st centuries. The workshop also pro- HELP ON TINTYPE PROCESS 2010 EVENTS SCHEDULE vides the opportunity to experi- Douglas Donovan of Chester, Sunday, February 21, 2010 The ment making prints using several VA, writes to say: Toronto Postcard Show, Thornhill different 19th Century processes “Less than a year ago, I pur- Community Centre, 7755 Bayview while exploring your own personal chased a ‘Model A’ tintype street Ave., 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM ideas and narratives of the West. camera. I would like to use it but cannot seem to figure out what Sunday, March 21, 2010 The It’s their goal for participants to size plates it takes. My best guess Improved PHSC Auction at the leave with a working knowledge of is that they are 2” x 3”. However it Canadian Legion Branch 344, three processes and have the tools is difficult to look inside and mea- 1395 Lakeshore Blvd. West, they need to get started on their sure. I understand that there were Bidding starts 12 noon. own. They’ll discuss formulas (with many of these in use during the Sunday, April 11, 2010 The 46th hand-outs to take home), discuss early part of the 20th century. I & coat paper, talk about what Montreal Camera Show, Holiday have come across a mono-bath Inn Pointe-Claire, 6700 Trans makes a proper negative (density formula, plate making instructions requirements and how to achieve Canada Hwy., Pointe-Claire, and all the hardware on the cam- Quebec, 10 AM to 3 PM. them) for each process (film OR era including: developing tank, digital), and experiment making cable release, etc. My question is: Sunday, April 18, 2010 The Toronto prints. Does anybody in your club still use International Camera Show, Registration information is these cameras today? If you could Thornhill Community Centre, 7755 available on the Photographers supply me with some more infor- Bayview Ave., 10 AM to 3 PM. Formulary web site at www.photo- mation regarding the camera, or July 14-19, 2010 National Stereo formulary.com/DesktopDefault. street cameras in general, I would Assoc. Convention in Huron/ aspx?tabindex=2&tabid=14 or be appreciative.” D. Donovan, Sandusky, Ohio. World’s largest email your questions to tp@f295. 14509 Sir Peyton Drive, Chester, 3D Trade Fair July 17 and 18. org VA., 23836. Contact: http://2010.nsaed.org

THE PHSC E-MAIL 11 VOL. 9-9 December 2009 Coming Events & Want Ads Wanted by Editor 5x7” and tripod for a Thornton Images by Toronto Pickard view camera: 416 244- ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO photographer Eli J. 1292 [email protected] Three fantastic exhibitions are at Palmer are needed by For Sale the Art Gallery of Ontario and editor Lansdale for upcoming article. CD ROM of Biographical Index of should not be missed. Alexander Dagerreotypists in Canada 1839- Calder: The Paris Years 1926–1933 D a g u e r r e o t y p e s , cartes de visite or 1871 by Graham is a superb exhibition. Together Garrett is avail- with Edward Steichen: In High cabinet prints. Send scans to: [email protected] able for research. Fashion, The Condé Nast Years, It’s the perfect 1923–1937 and Beautiful Fictions: source for listings Photography at the AGO – Seeking Photo Paper and Film Sarah Wooldridge appeals for of the earliest Featuring the Vivian & David photo process in Campbell Collection. Still there donations of B&W darkroom Canada. until January 3, 2010 – never been materials – photo papers, chem- Available thru Archived Books at a better time to visit! icals, roll film and 35mm sleeves. SKETCH, a community arts ini- www.archivedbooks.ca/acdbcan- tiative needs help for students ada.html OR www.se-photo.com. unable to continue projects year 16th ANNUAL round. Contact via photography. Wanted [email protected]. Bicycle & Motorcycle photography – all related items. Contact Lorne CAMERAMA 2010 For Sale Shields, P.O. Box 87588, 300 John Early Photography in Kingston St. P.O., Sunday, JANUARY 24TH, 2010 (biographies of 60 photographers) Thornhill, at the Thornhill Community ON., L3T Centre, 7755 Bayview Ave. at by Jennifer McKendry. Available at John Street, Thornhill. Doors $15 plus $3 for shipping. For cop- 7R3, lorne- open 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. ies contact: J. McKendry, 1 Baiden shields@ Regular admission $7.00 – St., Kingston, ON, K7M 2J7 rogers.com. $2.00 off with coupon. Contact Gary Perry at 905-550-7477 or Wanted For Sale [email protected]. Cameras, Cash paid for collections, liquida- lenses, darkroom, video, digi- tions and estates containing cam- tal, images, collectibles. eras, lenses, photographs, docu- ments, books, negatives etc. Courteous service and references. For Sale Please call Tom for no obligation Sheldon Chen has evaluation 416-888-5828. published a book of For Sale Karsh images. All Quantity of ‘Victorian’ fam- Things Karsh is a ily photo albums, some scenic high quality, limited glass lantern slides and two Beau edition book in a pre- Brownies. Tel: 416 691-1555 sentation box plus a [email protected] Durst Colour enlargers and many modern Karsh por- lenses from the Toronto Image trait from the original negative. Wanted Works. Laborator 1840 (vertical Priced at $400.00 list. Ed James is looking for Russian & horizontal) with assorted carri- [email protected] F.E.D. and Zorki 35mm type camer- ers; Laborator 184, mixing heads as, NO Zenits! Contact: Ed James, and carriers. Reasonable offers For Sale considered. Contact Francine at Boris Spremo has P.O. Box 69, Elkhorn, Manitoba, R0M 0N0, Tel: 204-845-2630. 416 703-1999 or www.toron- limited edition post- toimageworks.com er 30x24” of Toronto Buying or Consignment S e q u i c e n t e n n i a l Vintage cameras wanted by expe- Wanted 1834-1984 which rienced eBay seller. Professionally The Canadian First World War bears one of his presented with pictures and Internment Recognition Fund (www. photos. Offered at description. Contact at 905-994- internmentcanada.ca) wishes to $50 each with per- 0515 or [email protected] acquire images of internees and sonal autograph - Commercial camps established across Canada shops are selling a framed version Wanted 1914-1920. Contact Dr. L.Y. Luciuk at $180. Contact Boris at boris- John Young (ex-Young’s Camera) at [email protected] [email protected] needs ground glass, 6.5x8.5” and

THE PHSC E-MAIL 12 VOL. 9-9 December 2009