A Device for Self-Photography in 1912 — The Amateur Photographer's Weekly
Long before the smartphone with its front-facing camera, long before even the selfie stick, there were devices for "self-photography." The Amateur Photographer's Weekly includes a short but helpful description of a simple tool that could be used with most cameras of the day, a series of wooden posts that could be used to run a string from the shutter lever to the photographer's hand. A configuration like this wouldn't make sense with cameras at the time because, unlike later camera designs, the shutter was usually a lever that could be pulled down, not a button that needed to be pushed in.
August, 1912 - The Amateur Photographer's Weekly
ALMOST every amateur photographer wishes to
photograph himself—if not
alone, in a group—where
circumstances do not permit of an
assistant. It was for such a purpose
that the following device was
suggested.
A piece of hard wood, a foot long and half an inch
square, is cut into three equal pieces.
Each is roughly pointed, and a steel
screw-eye screwed into the
other end. These, with a reel of stout
linen thread, complete the outfit.
When used, one peg is pushed into the ground
immediately beneath the shutter release,
the end of a length of thread
tied to the release, and then led away to
the back of the group, the other
pegs serving to guide its course in
a roundabout direction. The one peg
must be immediately beneath
the trigger, or the camera may be pulled
over, or at least shaken, during
the exposure.
Naturalists will find the above method useful in the
absence of electric releases, as
its capabilities extend to well over fifty
yards. A supply of the steel
screw-eyes may be carried and screwed
into convenient trees, posts, etc., taking
care that the thread is not in contact with
anything other than the eyes.
C. F.
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