How to Enjoy Pinhole Cameras as a Hobby

Pinhole Camera
– Noun a simple camera in which an aperture provided by a pinhole in an opaque diaphragm is used in place of a lens.

Origin:
1890–95

So...the question is: Now that you know what a pinhole camera is, how do you make one?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• box
• photo paper
• thin piece of metal (can or a brass shim)
• needle
• tape
• x-acto knife
• sandpaper

1. 
    
   Pinhole Camera

   The pinhole is going to act like the lens of the camera. Take your brass shim and poke a hole through it with the needle. Trim the shim to guarantee a little space around the hole. Take your sandpaper and smooth out the hole.

2. 
    
   Small Pinhole Camera

   Now, you shall utilize your box (or you can use an empty oatmeal canister). Whatever item you decide to use, it must be light-proof when the lid is on and the shutter is closed. The only light that should be visible at all, should come from the pinhole so doublecheck to make sure there are no holes or breaks in the seal of your box anywhere. Seal the box and paint it black. Now, cut a small square for the pinhole to fit into.

3. 
    
   Photography with Pinhole Camera

   Tape the pinhole behind the square you cut into the box. Electrical tape works really well, or even duct tape. Center the pinhole in the square cut-out then create the shutter. The shutter is just a flap that will cover the pinhole from the outside of the box. You can use tape to create the flap if you wish.

4. 
    
   Pinhole Photography in Color

   Load your photo paper. This must be done in a completely dark room. You can use a bathroom or a closet to do this, but be sure that no light will creep under the door and expose the photo paper by accident. Use a towel to block the light from getting in. Tape your piece of photo paper against the back of the box across from the pin hole. put the lid on and make sure the shutter is closed. Now, once this is secure, you can step out into the light.

5. 
    
   Pinhole Exposure

   Time to take photos. Take your pinhole camera out to get some shots. Point the pinhole at whatever item it is you wish to capture on film. This will work best if there is a lot of sun and it is very bright. Now, depending on the lighting you will want to hold the shutter open for 30 seconds up to 4 minutes. Everything must be held perfectly still - do not move the box until you are done "capturing" the moment. Go back to your darkroom to develop your film.

6. 
    
   Celebrate!

   TO DEVELOP the FILM:
   
   You will need developer, fixer, water, tongs, towels, safelights. Your darkroom must be absolutely pitch black. As an alternative safelight, you can use orange LED lights.
   The paper from your pinhole camera will be a negative. In order to make a positive, you will want to put another piece of photopaper below the negative. The negative MUST be on the top and they MUST be face-to-face. Turn the light on for a few seconds and let the photopaper become exposed for a moment. Be sure to make sure your other photopaper is safely covered before exposing your current work.
   
   To develop your positive dip it in the developer, the water, the fixer, the water, towel, then air dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Be extra careful when developing your photopaper, as it can burn and stain your hands.
• Wear eye goggles to prevent any splashing of liquid into your eyes.

Resources

• National Pinhole Camera Day