Looking for a Head Stabilizer. Can you help?

[Pirate]

Back in the 1800's when the emulsions were really slow, the photographer used a stand that was behind the person and let them rest their head against it so they would not move during long exposures.

I'm looking for one of those stands but I don't know the proper name for it. If anyone could help me out with a proper name and even a place to get them I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[kxl]

Are you talking about Victorian-era posing stands? I think that's what they're called, but I wouldn't know where to get one.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

You need an upright cervical support for a chair. Something that you can clamp onto a stool. You may have better luck making one. A visit to a hardware store to get a few feet of electrical steel conduit, some clamps and maybe a bit of plexiglass is how I'd do it. Probably cost you a couple hour's work and you'd have a photo accessory that looks like it came from the Spanish inquisition!

Phil Forrest

 

[f16sunshine]

Jeez…. I saw the post title and reached for my old "little black book" 😛

 

[Frank Petronio]

People make and sell them on the wet plate forums.

Or use a Manfrotto Magic Arm and some ingenuity.

 

[pvdhaar]

Apparently what you mean is a

sterilized
standardized
scientificized
OWL

As shown in this highly informative video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hBpF_Zj4OA

 

[Pirate]

Thanks guys, educational and fun all in one big post!!

 

[Jack Sparrow]

Check here... 😉

http://youtu.be/Xbd7TtKrDFc

 

[jordan.dickinson]

http://www.cwreenactors.com/phorum/read.php?2,7634

Claude Levet makes a really nice one. I bought one from him for use in wet plate collodion work. It's all cast iron I believe, and really solid and heavy. The main downside is that they are expensive. But what you get is essentially an era-accurate reproduction as well as a solid piece of useful gear that will last forever. Hope this helps...

 

[Pirate]

Thanks for the links. I just looked more closely at the two Tintypes I have (original 1800's) and sure enough, you can see the bottom of the stands behind the feet.

 

[Pirate]

Wow! $600 bucks for that authentic stand. Amazing.

 

[Wouter]

A head stabilizer, don't we all need one ... I do for sure ...🙂

 

[Pirate]

Here's one of my original Tintypes that I noticed the stand in. Look down behind his feet: