I would like to time travel to Lorain, Ohio about 1890. I would be photographing things that are not well documented today. Globeville, which was demolished and covered by the steel mill starting in 1895. The eastern quarries in Amherst. Every building along Broadway, the main street. The shipbuilding.
I can take whatever I need to get started. So what would a photographer by trade wear back then? Would that be an odd profession at the time? What is the best camera I could take that would not seem too modern? What would be the best form of money to take? Morgan silver dollars were minted starting in 1878 so that era of coins would be good. Each one would cost $30-50 today if I pick ordinary circulated ones. What would a silver dollar buy in 1890?
From documentaries I’ve seen it is advisable that rather than trying to equip and fill your purse with period-appropriate equipment and money, just go back in time and sell your services as a blacksmith or use your knowledge of modern medicine to miraculously cure disease and traumatic injuries, then you can buy whatever you need. Just be wary of dangerous killers nicknamed ‘Mad Dog’ or saving the life of a future would-be despot.
The first thing you want to do is network with the rest of the time travelers stuck in that era. Most will have already been living in Central Europe for about two years.
Take a picture of you and your family, with you.
If members start fading get your butt to the school gym. To the " Under the sea" dance.
Then grab a guitar and play a song no one knows or understands.
I traveled back in time to 2021 to retrieve a thread I started which was similar, but strictly money-related. I have no help for proper clothing or photography equipment, but maybe advice from this thread can assist you in building your stake.
There’s a great TV series that was cancelled way too soon about a photographer from that era, called Dead Still. Have a glance at that if you need some period-accurate gadgets.
No, take bottles of flavored & colored water, and computer-printed labels for Quack Medicines that are period appropriate.
Sell Quack medicine.
Actually curing people will change History.
Also, since ragtime piano music permeates the entire atmosphere, try to bring some of way of listening to your own tunes, but very discreetly obviously.
