Early 20th century photos: Vim Comedy Company

 In early years of American movies, Jacksonville, Florida, experienced a brief turn in the spotlight as one of the hubs for filmmaking on the east coast. 

The Vim Comedy Company, based in Jacksonville and New York, was one of several film studios operating in the Jacksonville area in the first three decades of the 20th century.

Most of the images presented here were collected by one of the Vim actors, William “Billy” Bletcher (September 24, 1894 – January 5, 1979), while working at the studio between 1915 and 1917.

Before going out of business in 1917, it employed such stars as Oliver “Babe” Hardy, Ethel Burton, Walter Stull, and Kate Price, as well as Swedish-born director Arvid Gillstrom.

The Florida Photographic Collection contains more than 158,000 images, representing the most complete portrait of Florida available.

Courtesy of the Florida Memory / State Library & Archives of Florida

Motion picture scene, 1916. This image was collected by filmmaker William “Billy” Bletcher (1894-1979) while working for the Vim Comedy Company between 1915 and 1917. The small film studio was based in Jacksonville and New York. The company produced hundreds of two-reel comedies (over 156 comedies in 1916 alone). Before going out of business in 1917, it employed such stars as Oliver Hardy, Ethel Burton, Walter Stull, Arvid Gillstrom, and Kate Price. Ethel Burton (Palmer) was a popular comedic actress who made her debut with Vitagraph Pictures in 1915. She co-starred in several Billy West comedies (a popular Charlie Chaplin imitator), and was married to director Arvid Gillstrom, a Swedish-born filmmaker who directed many of the West comedies. Burton did little acting after the 1910s. Most of the films she made in Florida were with the Vim Comedy Company. Tallahassee pennant in the background. L-R: Ethel Burton Palmer, Bobby Burns, and Walter Stull.

Motion picture scene, 1916. Harry Naughton, Ethel Burton, and unidentified actors. Unable to tell which individual is which.

Motion picture scene, 1916.  L-R: Bobbie Burns, Ethel Burton, (?), and Walter Stull.

Motion picture scene, 1916.  L-R: Rosemary Thebe and Harry Myers.

Motion picture scene, 1916.  Ethel Burton Palmer is to the left and an unknown actor to the right. Ethel Burton (Palmer) was a popular comedic actress who made her debut with Vitagraph Pictures in 1915. She co-starred in several Billy West comedies (a popular Charlie Chaplin imitator), and was married to director Arvid Gillstrom, a Swedish-born filmmaker who directed many of the West comedies. Burton did little acting after the 1910s. Most of the films she made in Florida were with the Vim Comedy Company.

Motion picture scene, 1916.  L-R: Walter Stull(?), Harry Meyers, and Rosemary Thebe.

Motion picture scene from Strangled Harmony, 1916.  L-R: Bobby Burns, (?), Ethel Burton Palmer, (?), Walter Stull.

Ansel Adams TV program from 1983…his last.

Found this incredible documentary from the BBC about the great Ansel Adams one of Americas most prolific photographers and very much a household name.

Hope you enjoyed watching this as much as I did…

Have a great weekend

Glyn

2nd Oxford International Salon of Photography

“A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense about what is being photographed”

 Ansel Adams

All photographers strive to get that special shot which says it all. The Oxford Salon would like to provide a platform to showcase the best images from all over the world.

They are proud to offer the 2nd Oxford International Salon of Photography from the world renowned and historical city of Oxford and would like to invite photographers from around the globe to participate in the salon.

To be worthy of its name this salon will be run with the intention of becoming one of the best salons on the international circuit. It will be run under the patronage of PSA, FIAP and UPI and will have 3 sections – Open (including Monochrome and Creative), Photo Travel and Nature (including Wildlife). Please note that for their Open section the PSA patronage is from Colour Projected Image Division and includes Monochrome (PID), Nature section from PSA – ND and Photo Travel from PSA – PTD.

The 2nd Oxford Salon anticipates the acceptance rate will be approximately 30% of all images.

There will be 12 awards in each section plus a number of Honourable Mentions. Medals will include PSA, FIAP, UPI and OIS gold, silver and bronze.

All prize-winning images and a selection of acceptances will be shown publicly at:

Witney Photo Group on 26 November 2013.
Oxford Photographic Society on 3 December 2013.
Entry for this salon will close at midnight Samoa Std Time on Monday, 30 September 2013.

Fees: GB Pounds | 1 Section = £9.00 | 2 Sections = £11.00 | 3 Sections = £13.00

All entries and payment must be received before the end of the closing date.

The Organisers of the 2nd Oxford International Salon are OXPHO, an Oxford UK based Photographic Club.

OXPHO are pleased to be able to offer the opportunity to enter the 2nd Oxford International Salon of Photography which is recognised by PSA, FIAP and UPI.

The Salon will be offering 3 Digital sections.

Open/General
Photo Travel
Nature
We open for entries on 20th July 2013 and the closing date is 30th September 2013. All details of entry fees, conditions of entry together with important dates and sections can be found here. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

We are working to make this one of the best International Salons.

Best Regards

Bharat Patel ARPS
Salon Chairman
e-mail: info@oxfordsalon.com

For more details: http://www.oxfordsalon.com

Are you photography Geek?

I was browsing the web and this made me chuckle..it is from the crazy guys at Digital Rev…this lot put a lot of humour into their videos as well as being able to educate us on how to take great pictures and also give unbiased reviews on the latest products.o check them out at www.digitalrev.com.  This clip was was found on http://www.picturecorrect.com which is another great place to visit for all photographers…Enjoy!

The first sign that you may be a photo geek is if you clicked on this link to see if you’re a photo geek. So what’s the difference between being passionate about photography and claiming the title of geek? Well, leave it up to Kai to create a top 10 list of the geekiest photographer traits:

1. Form Follow Function Fashion – Basically, you think a lot about photography and very little about your clothes.
2. Awkward With the Opposite Sex – You’re terrible at social interactions, especially if it’s with someone you’re attracted too.
3. Speaks in Coded Language – Your conversations consist of a lot of talk about f-stops, MTF charts, digital noise, sensor size, etc. Most people won’t know what you’re talking about.
4. Only Talks About Cameras, All the Time – Your love of photography might spread a little too far when the only thing you can talk to your friends about is your newest lens or the amazing photo that you captured the other day.
5. Bring Inappropriate Gear to Occasions – Maybe you don’t need to bring your TLR when riding a rollercoaster.
6. Spend Far Too Long on Online Forums – Whether you’re bragging about your photo or gear, or just talking with other photographers because your friends are tired of listening to you, you may be abusing your photography forum account (in which your username isphotographyloverf/4life)
7. Spend Far Too Long at 2nd Hand Shops – If you feel a spark of excitement every time you see a flea market hoping that you will find an old rangefinder camera, you may be a photo geek.
8. Try to Outdo Everyone by Getting Exclusive Gear – It doesn’t have to be expensive or new or even functional, but it does have to be unique.
9. Treat Your Gear Like Your Baby – This one is iffy. Some photo geeks may treat their photo gear better than their baby.
10. Need to Take Photos Even Stuck at Desk – When you feel like you’re wasting time at your office because you’re not taking photos, this could be a sign.

Thanks to

http://www.picturecorrect.com

Hassleblad end production of the 503CW meaning the end for the V system

 Hasselblad is to cease production of its 503CW model – the last V System camera in the company’s portfolio.

The decision, which comes into immediate effect, brings to an end over a half century of evolution of the company’s original camera line.

Dr. Larry Hansen, Hasselblad Chairman and CEO said: “Everything has its place in time. The veteran 503CW combined with an extensive V System range of interchangeable lenses and accessories, was for seventeen years the camera of choice for discerning professionals and aspirational amateur photographers.

But there has been a substantial decline in demand for this camera over the past five years or so and the time has now come for us to reluctantly consign the V System to history. In so doing we would like to thank all fans and customers for both their loyalty and their enthusiasm for our legacy Hasselblad V System.”

He added: “Now of course the focus on medium format capture is on our H System – the world’s most advanced camera system. The latest generation cameras represent medium format capture engineering at its most exemplary and are well-placed to secure and underpin the company’s unrivalled reputation for providing highest image quality and craftsmanship. Additionally we are focusing on new products for advanced enthusiasts.”

Hasselblad has confirmed that the last 503CW has rolled off the production line but the company will continue to provide V System accessories while stocks last. V System support will also still be available through current channels.

Goodbye V System…may your legacy live on.

Glyn Ridgers Photography