Empty Chair in Front of a Painted Backdrop, circa 1895

Inexpensive tintypes were the popular "instant photographs" of the 19th century. A typical tintype studio might have included a dressing room where customers got ready for their picture, a darkroom for preparing and developing tintypes, and a studio or "operating room" like this. Tintypists could use headrests, posing chairs, and painted backdrops to help them set up the perfect shot.