Making a vertical photographic copy stand

There are a wide variety of commercial vertical copy stands the large units with lights can be expensive. Some copy stands are available without the lights and the photographers can add their own.

These might be two tungsten lights on stands with spun reflectors, or they might be two studio flash units. What ever form these take it is important that the two are matching and the lamps are exactly the same or the intensity and temperature of the light can vary from once side to the other. It is also important that these are placed equidistant from the centre of the copy stand - this can be tested by measuring the light at the four edges and centre with a light meter.

Some enlarger stands can also be adapted for a copy stand by taking off the enlarger head and making an extended bracket that takes the camera.

Want to learn more? - do a workshop or one on one with Lloyd Godman