Pinhole Cameras
Pinhole cameras are one of the first types of Photography.
They can literally be made out of anything, Pringle Tins, Beer Cans for the 5' by 7' Photographic paper, a wooden box, it can even be made with a match box for the small 35MM negatives.
Basically just as long it keeps light out of the inside it would work as a camera.
If you use something circular like a Pringles tin or a Beer can the photo will come out circular, like a Fish-eye Lens, whereas if it is done using a wooden box or a match box, the image will be flat, just like a normal negative.
They can literally be made out of anything, Pringle Tins, Beer Cans for the 5' by 7' Photographic paper, a wooden box, it can even be made with a match box for the small 35MM negatives.
Basically just as long it keeps light out of the inside it would work as a camera.
If you use something circular like a Pringles tin or a Beer can the photo will come out circular, like a Fish-eye Lens, whereas if it is done using a wooden box or a match box, the image will be flat, just like a normal negative.
How to make them.
I'm going to tell you the step to making one out of a beer can, which in my opinion is the easiest.
You Will Need:
- A Beer can, [Aluminium easier to cut, DON'T use steel]
- A can opener
- A Pin
- Gaffer Tape
- Scissors
- Card [Preferably Dark Colour]
Step 1:
Firstly you need to cut out the top of the Beer Can, I seriously recommend that this is done under adult supervision because there can be some sharp edges when this is done. Just to be safe, put a small bit of Gaffer tape on the inside. Obviously wash the can out of the alcohol first, we don't want to encourage underage drinking here.
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Step 2:
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Next we should focus on the protective cover for the camera. Firstly cut out a strip of A4 card, by coincidence A4 fits perfectly round a beer can.
The you should cut a few lines on one side of the card so it can bend. Put a bit of tape round the card when it is round the can, DON'T stick it to the can. Next you need put some gaffer tape over the cut strands, use 3 pieces of gaffer tape and place it over the card like an Asterisks This way you use a lot less Gaffer Tape, and good range gaffer tape can be fairly expensive. Stick the horizontal one on first. When the light protective case is complete, take it off of the bottom and put it over the top. One thing I must admit though, I had to use white cardboard, so I used loads of gaffertape. But to be honest the more gaffer tape there is the less light can get through. Also it will be tighter as well, so once again less light can penetrate it.
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Step 3: [this is optional]
Next using more gaffer tape, if your worried that too much light will be let into the can, put gaffer tape all the way around the can. I would recommend this because if it backfires and blocks out too much light, you can simply take the tape off of the can. I didn't follow out this step though because I thought I had already used enough gaffer tape that if I used more their won't be enough light.
Step 4:
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Next you need to insert the Pinhole. To do this it is better to use a pin. Simply pick out a spot which can be found easily. Hold the can opposite where the hole will be and slowly insert the pin. Don't do it too fast because if you do, the can could crack and light will get in, and ruin the exposure.
Firstly I used a tiny screwdriver to start a scratch. The next I pushed through with needle, then finally used a small screw to make the hole slightly bigger. |
Step 5:
And finally you need to make a Lens cap to cover up the pinhole when your not in a Dark Room.
There are a few ways to do this but this is the way I would do it. Firstly cut out a square that is bigger than the pinhole. The I would put it in the middle of a strand of gaffer tape. After that fold the gaffer tape over on one side of the cover. Next stick the tape onto the camera and then you have a Lens Cap. |
Here is the final result
I would recommend watching this video on the right hand side. 0.00-6.30 is relevant to this course. 12.00 onwards can be fairly relevant to the unit as well, because it is showing a way of developing a long exposure without the use of the Developer, Stop and Fix.
This film is made by a University lecturer called Justin Quinnell. |
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What are Pinhole Cameras
Pinhole Cameras are Lens free camera that can be made out of anything. They can be made out of a pringle tin, a beer can, a match box, even a box. There is only one condition to what you use, it must be Light Resistant. It can't be allowed to let light in, if light gets let in the paper will be over exposed and you won't get an image.
They were first discovered all the way back in the 5th Century in China. Where a philosiper called Mozi discovered the idea of inverting images.
They were first discovered all the way back in the 5th Century in China. Where a philosiper called Mozi discovered the idea of inverting images.
Pinhole Photographers
Steven Pippin
Pippin is a British photographer who techniques were done via improvisation with Pin Hole Cameras.
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Photos that Pippin has made. |
Abelardo Morell
Example of Pinhole Photography
Below are photos that have been taken with Pinhole cameras. Some by professionals, some by random people.
They can even be taken in colour.
My Pinhole Photography
Below are my attempts at Pin Hole Photography. I would like to indicate that the fact that some of them are brown rather than black is not my fault. The Developer we used was old so therefore won't produce in Black and White.
Inverting
I've decided to Invert the colour of these images. I did this on an online editing programme called iPiccy, however you can do it on Photoshop as well.
Inverting the colours of the image actually worked well the image on the right. When my body appears black rather than white you can actually see quite a bit more detail, for example you can make out the hair, my I.D badge and you can also see a few facial features like my nose, which is very hard or practically impossible to see on the original image. The inverted one also looks like it was taken with a proper camera with a proper lens.
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My Opinion on Pinhole Photography
In my opinion Pinhole Photography is a marvellous invention that astonishes me. The main reason why I love Pinhole Photography because it feels like magic that a real life setting is put onto Light Sensitive Paper through a small, tiny hole.
Another reason why I love Pinhole cameras is that they are so cheap to make for the Potential quality. Because if you know what your doing, if you can make a brilliant light defensive box or tin to use as a camera the quality of the image can be like it has been taken with a normal camera. Just a lot more cheaper.
Another reason why I love Pinhole cameras is that they are so cheap to make for the Potential quality. Because if you know what your doing, if you can make a brilliant light defensive box or tin to use as a camera the quality of the image can be like it has been taken with a normal camera. Just a lot more cheaper.