William Notman's Studio: The Canadian Picture

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

William Notman’s photographic studio opened in 1856 and operated until
1935, a period during which more than 400,000 photos were taken.
Although brief, this sketch of the senior Notman’s photographic empire
provides a good introduction to the famous photographer, his
achievements, and his methods.

The Notman studio, with headquarters in Montreal, expanded throughout
Canada and the northern United States during the Victorian period. At
its height, in the 1870s, it was the largest photographic business in
North America.

Notman studios were famous for composites (group photos assembled
cut-and-paste style from individual portraits); for portraits of the
political, military, and industrial leaders of the day; for scenic
postcard views; and for documentary series on industries (lumber,
railways, etc.). This book includes fascinating descriptions of the
Montreal studios, the advice to customers on dress and makeup, and the
stage sets used as backdrops. Nearly 100 photos from the Notman archives
illustrate the work. These serve to show not only the diversity of his
work—from portraits of society ladies to log mills—but also the
results of the Notman insistence on quality. The large plate size used
in the cameras of the period, sharpness, depth of field, and incredible
tonal range all spell quality and professionalism.