Photographic Historical Society of Canada
Photographic Society of Canada
Annual photo fair
Being a sales person is not my skill. It is nice to make a sale but it is the discussions that surround the sale that I enjoy – such as occurred today at the Photographic Historical Society of Canada’s photo fair. Pin-hole photography, 3D, the American civil war, Asian photography, identification of photographs, types of cameras, printers, scanners – all in one day!
With help from three generations of our family, we stuffed an assortment of photographica from daguerreotypes, and ambrotypes; baby brownies and video cameras; to Ansel Adams note cards into boxes and headed to the Woodbridge Soccer Stadium to participate. Bennett, my son, and I spent many evenings spread over the last month talking about photography, deciding what to sell, what to keep, what to toss.
Yesterday, Zenon, my grandson, came over, helped organize and photographed the items that we decided to sell. This way we have photos of items that we once used. We tried to get the digital camera to photograph us when we winked. I took pictures of myself reflected in my no-longer-used safelights and staged others to capture the filter tones and at least one shadow picture – a growing digital self portrait collection. Multi-tasking? (or just plain fun!)
Long ago memories returned of selling similar items at photo fair at Disney World when my sons were little. We sold plenty but I bought a glass-slide projector the size of a two-year old. We used it once about twenty-five years ago at a glass slides with tea party at the Baldwin St. Gallery. Anyone want to have a glass-slide party this summer?
But first back to this years fair, this morning bright and early, Morgan (who was actually born at the Baldwin St. Gallery of Photography) cheerfully arrived, even though he had a busy day planned. In between, he willingly packed the car and drove us to and from the fair.
An enthusiastic line had gathered and rushed in searching for bargains. Sales were quick for the first hour. (Remember this if you, come next year – come early! About a third of the vendors don’t stay until the end.)
We also bought. My favorite being a 3D book about the civil war. Bennett got some frames to put photos in and some earphones (not that I saw the connection of selling earphones at a photo fair)
The most interesting piece I saw at the fair was a dignified daguerreotype of blacks – It was not from the collections known as “slave daguerreotypes,” which were images that were taken to “prove” differences between blacks and whites.
Usually we sell and sometimes trade images but we brought more equipment this time. Displayed among our things were a manual-single-lens-reflex camera purchased years ago as part of auction lot, which was so big, I could barely hold it. No takers to buy it, but now, through conversation, I understand the camera and appreciate it. At a show like PHSoC, a collector searching for obscure items will know what you have.
So not only did the event provide an enjoyable preparation time, a little extra money from sales, a few choice “new” possessions, I learned new things.
Today’s fair was a success for me – one that isn’t a measurable success – like a business goal but one that succeeds by meeting the need to pursue an intense interest – photography. To be able to share this interest with my family – wow!
Bennett and I have already decided to set up a table at the photo fair in October. If you want to know more, email me and I’ll send you an announcement. We are already setting aside some things for our fellow photo friends.
After the fair, Bennett went straight to sleep on my couch because he works nights and had to leave for work for a night shift. My inner home looked like it has been deep searched – barely a path is visible. A 7:00 Skype call would keep my video lens aimed closely on me, pretending a clean background.
First though, I wrote the blog but it turned out that I couldn’t get the photos from my new camera. Who had the little devise last? This sharing in the family of tiny items among three households makes hunting a challenge. It was found at Morgan’s home in a cloth bag with my Mini- Master Mind and mini Scrabble. I went to his house to retrieve it. The family – Morgan, Lidia, Zenon, Lukie, and Zoriana were still gathered around the table from dinner and close to seeing who wanted to read and who wanted to play cards. I joined.
Then I learned -from a grandchild’s knowledge – that I can simply put the smart card into the slot in the computer. I didn’t even need the devise. (Family, yes! – I still need them) My son says, “if we want to know something about the computer, you have to ask his kids.”
Who teaches who? We teach each other!
Instead of going to sleep last night as I should, curiosity and enthusiasm captured me. I attempted research on the black daguerreotype image that I had seen at the photofair and found some close possibilities. While having morning coffee, I thought of the possible museum for this piece and will follow up.
FINAL WORDS Just as I was leaving the fair another aspect of my life was touched by a sign on the wall about goals. Recently I took an amazing social media course with the Professional Writers Association of Canada. It’s top-notch group that I am active in and goal setting was part of our discussions. To get this photo, an understanding photo dealer needed to remove photos covering some of the wording. I realized the photos were taken by the Canadian master portrait photographer, Karsh, but I wanted my little digital photo of the sign. The dealer’s help was appreciated and a few seconds later, I had the photo. Ah digital!
