How to Make a 35MM Pinhole Camera

While you can turn a regular camera into a pinhole camera, there is a basic way to create a pinhole camera from every day things you may already have in your home.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Empty can or box
• Dull black spray paint
• (Black contact paper is optional)
• #10 Sewing Needle
• Glossy photographic paper similar to KODABROMIDE® Paper F #2
• Heavy black paper
• Tape

1. Totally clean out your container of any possible food particles or left over product.

2. If the container has a plastic lid - spray paint it black on both sides. You would also want to spray paint both the inside and outside of your container black at this point. If you prefer to use the optional black contact paper inside, you may do so.

3. Once everything is dry, make sure that no paint is peeling and there is no dust. If the inside of your camera has these, it could ruin your pictures.

4. Make a pinhole in your can or box in the opposite end from the lid/opening using a #10 sewing needle. This will give you an optimum sized opening. You don't much larger or smaller than this, otherwise you may get too much or not enough light to develop your prints effectively. Make sure the needle didn't leave behind any paper or dust inside.

5. To make a shutter for your Pinhole Camera simply create a flap with the heavy black paper by taping it as a hinge over the pinhole opening.

6. Loading the paper: Use something comparable to KODABROMIDE® Paper F #2. Glossy works the best. Cut the paper down to a size that will fit your container. Tape it securely inside the camera, opposite the pinhole. The shiny side is the emulsion side and it needs to face the pinhole.

7. To expose the paper to produce a print, simply point the camera at whatever scene you wish to photograph. A rule of thumb is to leave the pinhole uncovered for two minutes in bright sun or eight minutes on a cloudy day.

8. If the paper negative is a little darker than you expect, don't worry - it's supposed to be that way. Develop a contact print as you normally would from a negative using the emulsion side of your paper negative against your print paper.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch your time. It may take practice first to get the correct exposure. Take two or three pictures of the same scene in different time increments to aid you in correct exposure.
• The inside of your container needs to be totally free of dust and debris.
• The emulsion side of your photographic paper is the side to face your pinhole.
• Do not make your pinhole much larger than what is produced with the #10 sewing needle.

Resources

[sephyboy]

on 9/30/2009 Glossy is NOT the best. It reflects light.