Where do I get a manequin bust to use for lighting experiments?

I've tried stuffed animals and balloons but I can't find anything to simulate the dimension, hair and skin tone of a person and I don't always have friends available to sit for me.
I would like to get a manequin bust to use for my lighting experiments. Anyone know where I look for this and how much they run? Can you get one used from a department store? where would you even begin?

Have you tried simply to Google 'hair mannequin'? Hair salons, wig store, etc. have heads, both bare and with hair.

Well, a sewing store has mannequins which will fill your size/shape criteria, but not the hair/skin. The other option is to go for one of the life size sex dolls. It fits all your criteria but they are a bit expensive. A cheaper route would be a blowup love mate doll. They are a bit translucent so lighting might be a bit of a problem. Also, with the two latter solutions you'll have a little explaining to do so I'll leave explaining that its for photographic purposes only to your SO to you.

Tried Googling "mannequin"? Or you might check with the manager of a local department store to see what they do when they replace theirs, although the current trend seems to be toward more abstract ones. You could always look for a large doll or a wig stand.

Wilt wrote in post #2434434
Have you tried simply to Google 'hair mannequin'? Hair salons, wig store, etc. have heads, both bare and with hair.

Thanks Wilt. I just did that and found a lot of mannequin heads and busts but a lot of them are very raw looking. I was thinking of something more like a department store mannequin because they are a bit more composed, hair makeup, etc. But then again, some of them look ok for about $25 and might do the trick nicely.

Jon wrote in post #2434456
Tried Googling "mannequin"? Or you might check with the manager of a local department store to see what they do when they replace theirs, although the current trend seems to be toward more abstract ones. You could always look for a large doll or a wig stand.

Hi Jon. Love the new avatar.
I'm browsing some sites now. Some sites even have closeouts on used entire body mannequins. This would cover the head shots and allow for other types of experimentation. The search continues. Thanks.

According to RTMiller in this thread
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=162431

he got his from
http://www.davessurplu​s.com/

Thanks Curtis, but Ouch! I didn't think they were that expensive. I guess that's the difference between the very raw ones I found and these.

Check out Jessica and Mary on page 1 of their catologue. You get a bit more for your money with those two.
On their display heads & wigs page you can get a plastic head for as little as $19 shipped and a wig for $30.

TMR Design wrote in post #2434493
Thanks Wilt. I just did that and found a lot of mannequin heads and busts but a lot of them are very raw looking. I was thinking of something more like a department store mannequin because they are a bit more composed, hair makeup, etc. But then again, some of them look ok for about $25 and might do the trick nicely.

Don't know what you mean by 'raw looking' but look here

http://salon.wimexbeau​ty.com …n=CTGY&Category​_Code=7500

or

http://www.imagesupply​house.net …MGxwoODp4kCFSIZ​ZwodywzrOQ

I'd just go to local malls, and start asking if any of them have any old ones they are going to throw away, they might sell you cheap. Years ago, we used to go around and do this to get legs to make Christmas Story leg lamps to sell for quick cash. An afternoon of asking usually got us a car load of them. They usually weren't in great shape, but a little filler, some sanding, and a quick paint job and they looked good as new. Of course being college students, we usually took the other body parts, put fake blood all over them and left them somewhere that they would scare the crap out of somebody.

Robert, I like these for photo models...

http://www.ebizdisplay​s.com/headforms.html

I got one from ebay a couple of years ago for pretty cheap.

Have you tried e-bay

http://cgi.ebay.com …10797QQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com …10797QQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

I got Gertie at www.wimexbeauty.com

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I picked up "Barb & Maxine" at a local thrift shop for about $2 each. Not great, but for some basic lighting experiments are OK.

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