How to Build a Pinhole Camera
Pinhole cameras are one of the simplest kinds of cameras. They direct an image onto light-sensitive film or photo paper without any of the lenses of a traditional camera. Since pinhole cameras can teach you some of the basics of photography, making one is a great introduction for kids and adults alike. You can make one fairly easily with a few things around the house, too.
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Things You'll Need
- Black spray paint
- Cylindrical oatmeal box
- Electrical tape
- Black card stock
- Pin or X-Acto knife
- Photo paper
Instructions
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1
Empty your cylindrical oatmeal box, and dust it out to make sure the box is clean. An oatmeal box is ideal because of its tightly fitting lid, but if one is not available, any box with a tight-fitting lid can be used.
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2
Spray paint the inside and outside of your box and the lid with black spray paint. Let the paint dry overnight.
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3
Cut a small hole about 3 inches from the bottom of the oatmeal box, using a pin or an X-Acto knife.
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4
Cut a small square of black card stock about 3 by 3 inches in size. Tape it to the front of the pinhole you created in Step 3. This will serve as the camera's shutter. Make sure to tape the card stock on all sides but lightly enough to allow it to be lifted and placed back with ease.
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5
Tape any place where light could potentially enter the canister, including around the lid area. Keep all taping light enough to be removed.
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6
Insert a piece of 5-by-7 inch photo paper into your new pinhole camera by opening the top of your canister and sliding the piece of photo paper inside, emulsion side out. You will need to do this in a pitch black room or darkroom to avoid ruining the paper. The paper should sit parallel to your viewfinder. You will need to take the paper out each time you wish to take another picture.
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7
Take your new pinhole camera outside, point it toward your subject and open the shutter. Since there is no viewfinder in the camera, you will have to point to the general direction of the subject you wish to shoot. See the Resources below for an idea of exposure times.
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8
Take your camera back inside, and in a dark room, remove the photo paper. See the Resources below for a better idea of how to develop your photo paper.
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Tips & Warnings
For a clearer print, you can also cut a small piece of aluminum, and tape it over the hole you made on the oatmeal box. With a pin, create a small hole in the center of the aluminum, making sure it also goes through the oatmeal box hole. This will create a smaller but sharper hole for image making. Since they are basic cameras, they need quite a bit of light to work properly. For best results, use your pinhole camera outside on a sunny day.
Resources
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Comments
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here you Eve we used the aluminum foil. I think the hardest part will be developing the picture, or at least the most costly. Have fun making your pin hole camera!
