How to Create Holographic Pictures

You can make simple holograms at home.

Now you too can create holographic pictures in your own home, and you won't need a laser either. This means you won't be concerned with eye safety. You won't need an isolation table, or a darkroom, or any expensive film plates. You may not be able to recreate the film "Avatar" on your first try, but you will achieve some cool effects.

Things You'll Need

• Drawing compass
• Plexiglas sheets
• Dark-colored magic markers
• A small block or board of wood (about one square foot)
• Sunlight or a strong light source

Instructions

1. Using your magic marker, make about a one-inch "H" (or your initial) on a six-square-inch piece of Plexiglas or clear acrylic plastic mounted on your work board.

2. Take the pencil out of your drawing compass and put the hard metal point in instead. Your compass usually comes with it if you purchased it at an art store.

3. Place one of the sharp metal tips right at the top of one of the arms of the "H". Spin the compass so that you make a slight scratched arc in the surface of the plastic.

4. Move the compass to another spot on the "H." Keep the distance between the arms of the compass the same. Create a new scratched arc, until both sides of the "H" are full of little holes from the point of your compass. Repeat until you have at least a dozen arcs.

5. Take a dark magic marker and coat the unscratched side of the Plexiglas. Hold the Plexiglas at shoulder level, and turn until you are facing the sun or a powerful light source. Move the Plexiglas plate up and down. As you tilt it, you'll see moving highlights.

Tips & Warnings

• The only limit is imagination, and you can make a hologram from drawings, pictures or an image found online.

References

• Enter.net: Understanding holograms for kids