How to Make a Pinhole Camera Box

Pinhole cameras are some of the most basic kinds of cameras, and they can teach you a lot about how cameras and photo paper work. They're a great project for kids to make on summer days when there's lots of light. A pinhole camera's shape will often dictate your end result. A boxlike pinhole camera will give you a more straightforward and normal-looking picture than a cylindrical pinhole camera, so it serves as a good camera substitute when you want quirkier photographs.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Box with a large lid, like a shoebox
• Black spray paint
• Thick tape, like masking or electrical tape
• A small piece of black card stock or other thick paper
• Exacto knife
• Photo paper

1. Choose your box. A shoebox will work well, but make sure that your box has a large lid.

2. Paint your box and its lid inside and out with black spray paint, and allow it to dry completely.

3. Cut a small hole, no more than 1/8 inch in circumference, in the center of one side of your box. If using a shoebox, cut it on the longer side of the box.

4. Cut a square piece of card stock about 3 inches wide and 3 inches high.

5. Tape all four sides of the card stock to the box. This piece of card stock will serve as your camera's shutter.

6. You will now be able to use your pinhole camera box. To do so, place a piece of photo paper emulsion side out in your box in a pitch-black room. Go outside, and pull the card stock away from the box--as you would when opening a door--to expose your piece of photo paper. Results will vary based on the amount of sunlight outside. You will be able to process your photo paper once you take the photo.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that your box is light tight. If there are any dark gray or black streaks in the photo, you have a light leak. Make sure to tape around the box to avoid any light leaks. Photo paper is very light sensitive. Make sure not to expose your photo paper to light. If it is badly exposed, your entire piece of photo paper will turn black in the development process.