Head Braces

[Robert Kalman]

Recently I started researching the availability of head braces because I want to experiment with portraiture that requires exposure of several seconds. (Not interested in alternative processes, such as collodion, simply want to slow the portrait process down even further on conventional film).

So I found these two possibilities (see snaps), one produced by Claude Levet (http://www.pontalbacommunications.com/) for $600; the other hand made by Three Graces Studios (http://www.structureimageword.com/) for $150.

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Both of these are made of cast iron and probably way too heavy to transport into the field.

I've seen some do-it-yourself (http://http://www.cameraabsurda.blogspot.com/2013/11/diy-headstand-for-portraits.html?m=1) creations, but these seem way too flimsy for what I want.

The German photographers, Ute Mahler and Werner Mahler, used a sturdy, lightweight portable chair that looks like it's made out of aluminum to make the portraits in their book, Mona Lisen Der Vorstädte. You can watch their video here (https://vimeo.com/28192558). Also, these are some screenshots from the video: 142364 142365

I think this is what I'm looking for. Anyone have any knowledge of how to track this down? Or, alternatively, does anyone use a similar head brace/chair arrangement for portrait work?

Thanks very much!

[DrTang]

what I sometimes use is a rod with a wooden knob glued to the end attached to a lowboy light stand

the subject can be touching the knob with the back of their head and know they are in focus


of course I shoot with strobe so I'm more concerned with the subject moving into and out of focus than keeping them still

[ScottPhotoCo]

I have the one from Claude. It's a lifetime purchase and is a great piece of kit. Expensive but worth it. Transportable but I wouldn't want to schlep it long distances from the car.

[Mick Fagan]

That head rest looks like a simple home build job if you wish to. Looks like a wooden tripod leg, maybe from a Berlebach tripod, inverted and with the foot converted to hold a soft rest.

They certainly like smoking.

Mick.

[Lachlan 717]

Have a look at floor lamps with angled heads. IKEA often do them.

A lot lighter than formal braces, and a lot cheaper.

A simple "remove the light socket and replace with clamp" should do the trick.

[Lachlan 717]

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[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

Years ago I bought a head clamp from an ironworker who was selling them on one of the Collodion forums. It looks very similar to the 19th century designs (I have one of those too), and after modification works great. But honestly, the original design can and should be improved on. It is a pain to use, and there are less expensive ways of letting the sitter know where their head is supposed to be. Using a modified microphone stand or a floor lamp all sound like great ideas, and certainty more flexible and portable than the original design.

[Jac@stafford.net]

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Don't forget the wet sponge.
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[Lachlan 717]

Don't forget the wet sponge.
142416

I'm shocked that I forgot the sponge....

[arkady n.]

Emm...You might have some blurring of the head...
http://time.com/3808808/first-photo-electric-chair-execution/

[goamules]

I have one of Claude's, and it's great. To those advocating lightweight, aluminum guitar stands and such, the operative word is "brace." If you have subjects that move, and they all do when the exposure is longer than 5 seconds, you want them braced. Not resting against a feather light piece of flimsy tubing that will slide across the floor, or bend, or move on it's chair clamp.

Claude's is the real deal, modeled on what the wetplate photographers learned was needed in the 1850s: weight, heft, and solid thumbscrews.

The words "sturdy brace" and "lightweight" don't go together.

[Robert Kalman]

I have one of Claude's, and it's great. To those advocating lightweight, aluminum guitar stands and such, the operative word is "brace." If you have subjects that move, and they all do when the exposure is longer than 5 seconds, you want them braced. Not resting against a feather light piece of flimsy tubing that will slide across the floor, or bend, or move on it's chair clamp.

Claude's is the real deal, modeled on what the wetplate photographers learned was needed in the 1850s: weight, heft, and solid thumbscrews.

The words "sturdy brace" and "lightweight" don't go together.

Garrett, I agree with your insight regarding "sturdy" & "lightweight." If you had a chance to check out the Mahler video, I'm wondering what your opinion is of the chair/head brace they used. It's lightweight, but not like those braces made with music stands.

[jp]

Recently I started researching the availability of head braces because I want to experiment with portraiture that requires exposure of several seconds. (Not interested in alternative processes, such as collodion, simply want to slow the portrait process down even further on conventional film).

So I found these two possibilities (see snaps), one produced by Claude Levet (http://www.pontalbacommunications.com/) for $600; the other hand made by Three Graces Studios (http://www.structureimageword.com/) for $150.

142352 142353

Both of these are made of cast iron and probably way too heavy to transport into the field.

I've seen some do-it-yourself (http://http://www.cameraabsurda.blogspot.com/2013/11/diy-headstand-for-portraits.html?m=1) creations, but these seem way too flimsy for what I want.

The German photographers, Ute Mahler and Werner Mahler, used a sturdy, lightweight portable chair that looks like it's made out of aluminum to make the portraits in their book, Mona Lisen Der Vorstädte. You can watch their video here (https://vimeo.com/28192558). Also, these are some screenshots from the video: 142364 142365

I think this is what I'm looking for. Anyone have any knowledge of how to track this down? Or, alternatively, does anyone use a similar head brace/chair arrangement for portrait work?

Thanks very much!

This appears to be a tripod leg for sure. The item on top could be a foam waxing pad / buffer pad as it would have a threaded back making it easy to rig up. (The threads would attach it to the polishing machine shaft in normal use)

A microphone stand will not do as the neck is meant to be flexible.

[goamules]

I think if I were going to make one, I'd use either a steel pipe, or a stout piece of wood, for the main shaft. I'd be sure the base was heavy, with soft rubber foot protectors for hardwood floors. I'd have a method to raise and lower the brace part itself. And I'd keep the brace part as close to the shaft as possible, to not add more wobble length. Basically, I'd make it like the Claude Scovill replicas.

But I do think attaching to a chair, with the wait of the sitter, is a good idea too.

[Pierre 2]

If I was to make one, I would use the weigh of the subject on the chair : Just like in the picture, The "bracing" system would be attached to the back of a light weigh chair (in the picture, the bracing appears to be made out of wood). Also, I don't think I would use a "bracing" system per se : For a subject to hold his or her head steady, I believe all is needed is a reference point to be in contact with (again, just as pictured).

[earlnash]

The top end of a guitar stand works great - light, adjustable, and cheap.