'The Variegated Town of Montreal'

Speaking of "then and now" views, check out the nice (if somewhat slow-loading—you have been warned) William Notman / Andrzej Maciejewski pairings at the McCord Museum of Canadian History website. Andrzej Maciejewski did a really nice job of matching the historical Notman photographs. Includes interiors as well as exteriors, and check under the "Photographer" tab for Andrzej's comments (there's even audio, if you mouse over the pictures). Ed Hawco told me about this.

It struck me as I looked that it's not an entirely fair way to appraise the progress of the city, for the simple reason that the early photographer—Notman, in this case—has a free hand to present the most comely views, whereas the modern photographer is constrained in what he can present by what the historical photograph shows. As is clear from one view (#3) that is now almost completely blocked by buildings, this in some cases leads to modern photographs that one wouldn't necessarily take or frame the same way if one had a free hand.

As I've no doubt said before (TOP will probably end when I've told all my stories at least twice), I've always wondered why cities don't have official photographers—just someone to wander around on a permanent basis capturing records of the way the city looked as it evolved. I suppose the politicians would find it an easy expense to cut, but if it were permitted it would be valuable for the historical record and for civic pride, identity, and interest.

Mike
(Thanks to Ed and several other readers)

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Original contents copyright 2010 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.

Featured Comment by John McMillin: "Years ago, I was briefly an 'official' photographer in Golden, Colorado. The local historical society hired and (barely) paid me to photograph each facade in a historical district. There's probably a little of this documentation going on at any moment, but not enough. When I came to Denver in the late '70s, it had a wealth of dilapidated post-industrial buildings downtown, and a busy railyard, that were far more colorful than today's designer-styled instant urbanist paradise. I documented those old relics a bit, but not enough. When they're gone, the photography stops but my memories remain, fading.

"Gotta put in a good word for Montreal here. I visited for the first time in October, and it was a visual delight. I was especially drawn to scenes of rooftops. There must be a law, or at least a custom, against leaving any roof flat or unadorned. Instead, they're steepled, ornamented, castellated in a most elevating style. Montrealers like to view their city from commanding locations, like the Olympic Tower, or the old church belfry by the Old Port. When an historic government building was being renovated, the whole structure and scaffolding was wrapped in plastic sheeting neatly printed with the building's windows and details. That's pride showing!"

Featured Comment by Jeff: "My favorite is the audio from #8, Notre Dame Church. Very 'TOPical.'"

Mike replies: I hadn't heard that yet when I read your comment. Made me laugh. Good catch.

Featured Comment by Andrzej Maciejewski: "Thanks for posting this. I agree that each city large or small should have a photographer who would document streets, buildings, parks, etc. It would not be such a huge expense to the city, but there would be something left in the archives. I was looking through the archives of a few cities in Canada and the state of them is rather less than poor (except for the Notman archives in Montreal but this is only because he was a successful commercial photographer who sold these city views at the time)."

Comments

[John Camp]

Mike J. said:

I've always wondered why cities don't have official photographers—just someone to wander around on a permanent basis capturing records of the way the city looked as it evolved.

They do. They are -- or at least were -- called "newspaper photographers."

[Michael W]

city photographer: The closest one i know of is a gentleman from Corpus Christi who was sort of the defacto city photographer. His work was extensive, over 1 million negatives dating from the twenties until his death. unbelievable scope of coverage of one town by one individual. http://www.cctexas.com/?fuseaction=main.view&page=2558 and http://cclandmarks.org/index.cfm/fa/gallery.htm

[Mike Johnston]

John,
No, that's not quite what I mean. Newspaper photographers capture the events and activities in a city, but not (or not often) the city itself—views, buildings, architecture, parks, businesses, etc. I'm talking about a documentary approach rather than a news approach, and a photographer who wouldn't have to photograph things through the filter of newsworthiness.

Mike

[James Bullard]

City photographer? Great idea Mike and a case of synchronicity. One of my projects for this year is to record the small community I live in. In the process I hope to duplicate some views that are in old postcards.

[Rob Young]

Melbourne (Australia) photographer Mark Strizic unofficially did this in the '50s and '60s. His exhibition and subsequent book is considered to be a local masterpiece.

http://artblart.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/review-mark-strizic-melbourne-a-city-in-transition-rare-silver-gelatin-photographs-at-gallery-101-melbourne/

[Ted]

Mike, I have a very meager memory. Please, please, don't end TOP until you've repeated all your stories at least a half dozen times. Maybe not even then.

[JOHN MCMILLIN]

Years ago, I was briefly an "official" photographer in Golden, Colorado. The local historical society hired and (barely) paid me to photograph each facade in a historical district. There's probably a little of this documentation going on at any moment, but not enough. When I came to Denver in the late '70s, it had a wealth of dilapidated post-industrial buildings downtown, and a busy railyard, that were far more colorful than today's designer-styled instant urbanist paradise. I documented those old relics a bit, but not enough. When they're gone, the photography stops but my memories remain, fading.

Gotta put in a good word for Montreal here. I visited for the first time in October, and it was a visual delight. I was especially drawn to scenes of rooftops. There must be a law, or at least a custom, against leaving any roof flat or unadorned. Instead, they're steepled, ornamented, castellated in a most elevating style. Montrealers like to view their city from commanding locations, like the Olympic Tower, or the old church belfry by the Old Port. When an historic government building was being renovated, the whole structure and scaffolding was wrapped in plastic sheeting neatly printed with the building's windows and details. That's pride showing!

[Paul Van]

As an alternative to having someone photograph a city or town, if they had a 'picture' department where citizens could donate pictures, current or from estates. It would certainly present our municipalities the way we use and see them.

[Mike Johnston]

Michael,
Yeah, Doc MacGregor is exactly what I'm talking about.

Mike

[Christopher Jones]

Rephotographers may be interested in the technique described at http://chrisjones.id.au/doco/geomatrix.html to identify the location of old photographs. I'll try out my Vicinity app on some of Andrzej Maciejewski's images.

[Herjulfr]

Because history is not important for a "city". Nor is architectural beauty, which can be destroyed to be replaced by ugly architectural chimeras like what you see in the Montréal photographs. "Cities" are managed, and history and beauty have no place in efficient management, unless it can bring money from the tourists.

Montréal was, once, a very pretty city.

[Adam Lanigan]

"Some say that no one ever leaves Montreal, for that city, like Canada itself, is designed to preserve the past, a past that happened somewhere else." - Leonard Cohen, The Favourite Game

I'm sure this only vaguely applies, but I can't miss the chance to quote one the city's most famous sons.