From a Pinhole to a Photo

Pinhole photography is a little-known and rarely used art form. Any form of photography that requires developing photographs in a darkroom is considered by many a task best left to the experts. But why? Pinhole photography is as easy as finding a container in the pantry. 

First of all, what is pinhole photography? What does that mean? Well, pinhole photography is a form of photography in which the camera consists of a lightproof container with a hole poked in it by a pin.

The following are steps to make your own pinhole camera. First, you need to start with a lightproof container. This is very important; if your container is not lightproof, light will get in and ruin the photo paper inside before you’ve even begun to develop your image. If you have a semi-lightproof container, such as a cardboard oatmeal container with a transparent lid, you can lightproof it with lightproof tape. Second, drill hole in the container. The size of this hole doesn’t really matter, it’s just so you don’t have to line up a pinhole with a pinhole later, which could prove to be difficult. Third, poke a hole in a sheet of copper (or probably anything like it that you can find. Experimentation is the key to creating great art!) with a sewing needle. The size of the needle depends on the distance from where the pinhole will be to the back of your container (where your photo paper will be located). The longer the distance, the larger the pinhole needs to be, but again, experiment. Pinhole photography, or any kind of art, really, isn’t an exact science. Fourth, smooth out the rough edges of the copper with steel wool or a fine sandpaper. Fifth, tape the small (about 1”x1”) piece of copper sheet to your container with lightproof tape so that it is lined up with your drilled hole. Sixth, make a shutter, or something to cover your pinhole. This can be made out of any lightproof material, so long as no light can reach or get in through your pinhole.

To take a photo with your camera, tape a piece of photo paper to the opposite side of your container as the pinhole. Make sure you load the paper in a darkroom so as not to damage it. Now, you can go out and take a photo! Place your camera with the pinhole facing the direction in which you want your image taken. Open your shutter and close it again. The time between the open and the close of the shutter will vary depending on the amount of light in your picture-taking environment. Generally, the more light there is, the less time you will need to have your shutter open. Shutter speeds for pinhole cameras can vary from less than a second to… however long you want, really! Again, experimentation and “failures” can only help you to learn and grow. Break all of the rules.

Once your picture has been taken, it simply needs to be developed in a darkroom. If you don’t know how to do this, you may want to find someone who does, as it requires the use of chemicals.

Pinhole photography is a little known art form that is largely awesome and fairly easy to carry out if you have the right tools. All you need to take amazing photographs is a lightproof container and a few other supplies. If you try this out, please send your photos to tmjhpcpost@gmaill.com.

(photo: blogs.egusd.net)

(photo: users.rcn.com)

(photo: me)

(photo: me)