How to Make a Shoebox Pinhole Camera

Photography is not only a fun hobby, but it is also an amazing science experiment. You can make your own camera easily. It takes only a few materials and a little know-how to make a shoebox pinhole camera. And, it's amazing the kind of pictures you will get with your projects.

Things You'll Need

• Shoebox
• Flat black spray paint
• No. 10 sewing needle
• Film
• Black construction paper
• Transparent tape

Instructions

1. Paint the entire box and the lid with flat black spray paint. Make sure the inside and outside of the box are completely covered.

2. Put a hole in the bottom of the box. The hole should be 1/75 inch in diameter. The best way to get this done is to use a No. 10 sewing needle. As you push it through the box, turn it slightly in order to get a smoother hole.

3. Check the pinhole you just made to ensure it's round and not jagged or square. Look through the hole at a newspaper or book page. If it's not round, start over with a new box.

4. Create a shutter by cutting a square of black construction paper two inches by two inches. Tape the construction paper to the outside of the box, directly covering the pinhole.

5. Make a viewfinder. Create a small hole, just barely big enough for your eye to see through, on the opposite side of the box. The hole should be approximately two inches above where the pinhole is on the corresponding side.

6. Load your camera with film. Cut the film frame by frame and tape it to the inside of the box lid, directly across from the pinhole. The emulsion side (the inside of the film) should be toward the pinhole as you tape it in place.

Tips & Warnings

• To take pictures, aim your camera at your subject and lift the shutter for 1 to 3 seconds. The picture should have taken. Develop your film in a dark room. Other items besides shoeboxes can be used for a pinhole camera. Oatmeal cannisters, paint cans or coffee containers make good cameras.

• Any excess light inside your camera will provide too much exposure to your pictures.

References

• Kodak provides great information about pinhole cameras.

Resources

• Kodak gives excellent instructions on how to build a shoebox pinhole camera.