PinHole Cameras

The purpose of the pinhole cameras was to learn how to make them and see if they would take pictures. Also to see if our cameras would actually work and to work out the problems with the camera so we could take a picture. A pinhole camera works if there is no light hitting the paper in which the photo will appear on. The hole is covered so that the light doesn't hit the paper. When ready to take the photo you leave the shutter open for a few moments ( or you can experiment a couple times) to get the picture.


Materials:

• empty oatmeal box

  

• black spray paint
• scrap cardboard, or heavy black plastic (like liners from film and photographic paper packages)
• tape - masking, duct, or electricians
• glue (optional)
• scissors or matte knife
• tin foil
• needle
• darkroom or dark closet
• photographic paper or film; chemicals and equipment to process it (trays, film tank, ...)

Directions:

1. Use a cylindrical cardboard box, such as an oatmeal or cornmeal container. Spray the insides and the lid with the black spray paint. Check for holes. Patch any that you see, and reinforce the flimsy or unstable seems with the tape.
2. If the top or bottom are translucent, they need to be covered with black plastic or cardboard and painted. Cut the circle out of some black heavy paper an inch or two larger than the lid and fold down sides of the circle so they overlap the sides of the tube. Fasten it with the glue.
3. Cut a hole about 4 inches square in the side of the box about halfway between the top and the bottom. A rectangular hole will do.
4. Take a piece of tinfoil about 6 inches square and poke a tiny hole into the center of it.cover the cut out square with it. Hold it up to the light to make sure the hole goes all the way through. This is your "lens." Put the tinfoil over the hole on the box and tape it in place around the edges.
5. Cut a piece of the black heavy paper about 4 inches square and place over your "lens." This is the shutter and will be removed for exposure and replaced during transport or storage. Tape it to the box so it can be flapped up or down.
6. In a dark room or dark closet, or in a black plastic bag where light can't get through, place a photographic paper in the box, making sure the shiny, or stickier, side is facing the pinhole. Make sure the lid is on tight and the shutter is closed before turning on the lights.
   
7. Take a picture by stabilizing the camera in a place where you want to take the picture and point it toward the object you are taking the picture of. Lift the shutter so that the pinhole is facing the object. The exposure of light on the paper varies from 30 seconds in bright sunlight to 10 minutes to an hour in a heavy overcast.
   
8. Develop the film according to the manufacturer's instructions. If the photo comes out black that means that the paper wasn't exposed to very much light and needed to sit out longer. If the photo comes out white this means that the paper was exposed to too much light.

I think that our group kind of struggled with making the pinhole camera. That is why I gave you different instructions instead of the ones we used for ours. When we exposed the paper to light the picture didn't come out. But at least we tried. We didn't get another chance to take a picture but it was a great experience. I think that if we used a different method like the one i gave you that we would've gotten a picture.