Pinhole Photography

what are the only things you NEED

in a pinhole camera?
(light-tight)
body
aperture
(hole)
shutter
(and something light-sensitive if you want to make a permanent image)
how does it work?
photo
paper
sun
I want to take a photograph
of this awesome thing
your pinhole camera doesnt have settings...
but what can you control?
aperture size
focal length
(aperture to paper)
exposure time
(how long is the shutter open?)
FOCAL LENGTH - affects how zoomed in the
image is
How did the size of the hole in our room window affect the image?
Moving the focal plane (tracing paper or photo paper) changes the size and focus of
the image.
How did the size of the hole in our room window affect the image?
Moving the focal plane (tracing paper or photo paper) changes the size and focus of
the image.
ALSO - you can control how far away your
camera is from what you are photographing
Aperture Diameter = 1.9
Focal Length X wavelength of light
Wavelength (usually the wavelength for
yellow/green light 0.00055 mm is used)
Aperture Diameter = 1.9
101.6mm (4) X 0.00055mm
0.446mm = 1.9
101.6mm (4) X 0.00055mm
0.017 = Aperture/Pinhole
Calculate your Aperture
13
The f-number of the camera may be calculated by dividing the distance from the pinhole to the imaging
plane (the focal length) by the diameter of the pinhole. For example, a camera with a 0.02 inch (0.5 mm)
diameter pinhole, and a 2 inch (50 mm) focal length would have an f-number of 2/0.02 (50/0.5), or 100 (f/
100 in conventional notation).
Aperture Diameter
Focal Length
-number =
0.017 (0.45mm)
4 inch
-number =
/235 =
Calculate your -number
Aperture & Focal Length
3 = .015
Pinhole Photography
NAME
Cecil
DIAGRAM
FOCAL
LENGTH
6 inches
APERTURE
DIAMETER
0.01 9
EXPOSURE TIME DISTANCE TO
SUBJECT
WEATHER SUBJECT MATTER RESULTS
1
2 min 6 sunny me too dark
2
1 min 4 sunny me too dark, LIGHT LEAK
3
1 min 4 sunny me dark, LEAK
4
1 min 4 sunny me Yay! too light
5
1:30 min 6 sunny class Yay! Success
6
2 min 50 cloudy, foggy school
success, foreground a little
light
7
5 min 1 cloudy, foggy fence A little light
bottom side and lid
6
shutter
aperture
14
9.5
sink
water xer stop bath developer
what do I do?
develops the paper
(oxidizes silver)
(pH 11 or 12 = base)
stops the
developing
(low pH = acid,
neutralizes the
developer)
stabilizes
the image
(removes unexposed
silver from the paper)
cleans the print
(washes off all
the chemicals)
how long?
I should be replaced
when...
1 1/2 minutes
(90 sec)
30 sec
5 minutes
5 minutes
N/A
if I get cloudy when
you drip hypo check in
if I am a dark
purple color
if I am a brown color
YES
Keep tongs organized & drip off prints
Check to see if chemistry is exhausted . . .
DEVELOPER turns brown
Hypo Chek turns cloudy
when dripped into FIXER
STOP BATH turns purple
If so, developer and stop go down
the drain, fixer goes in the bucket
Contrast
white, black, & gray values
Focus
steady the camera
Subject Matter
something close and far away
A Good Pinhole Negative
Pinhole Photography Name:
OBJECTIVE: Complete a
pinhole photograph
considering the
composition! light
source! focal distance!
exposure! and subject
matter" Issues related to
pinhole photography
concerning contrast!
camera steadiness!
subject size and
distortion should be
considered"
Tape them together as shown !

Photographs.
What was the most rewarding part of taking photos and making positives with your camera and the
darkroom$digital lab?
What was the most challenging part?
How did you overcome this di%culty?
What would you do di&erently or do more of with pinhole photography?
Camera .
What surprised you most about the construction and use of your camera?
How well did your camera perform in taking photos?
Did you have to solve any problems related to your camera! if so! what were they and how did you
solve the problem?
NEGATIVE POSITIVE
time aperture setting
distance time
weather
Presentation:
Prints are cut or
cropped neatly!
Photos are taped
together!
Design:
Photos show
consideration of
subject matter" light
source" proximity of
camera to your
subjects" and
composition!
Studio Skills:
Photograph is
developed" and
printed properly"
using correct
darkroom
procedures!
Objective:
Completed a pinhole
photograph" labeling
exposure" light
conditions" and subject
distance as well as
positive exposure times!
Issues related to pinhole
photography concerning
contrast" camera
steadiness" and subject
size and distortion are
understood!
Total:
Self#
Assessment
$%& $%& $%& $%&
$'((
Teacher
Assessment
$%& $%& $%& $%&
$'((
Aperture, Focal Length, and
Exposure Time
Starting Time
for sunny

2 minutes
2 minutes
1 " minutes
1 " minutes
1 minute
1 minute
30 seconds
adjust exposure time by double or half
Problem: Experiment with different exposure
times informed by the amount of light and the
focal distance of your camera to create a
successful pinhole negative.
Document everything!
In your sketchbook, tape in every single
pinhole exposure you make, and write
down the exposure time (seconds), the
quality of the light, and a description of
what you can do to improve your
exposure the next time.
(40 points total) The Pinhole Camera

(10 points) Function

1) Your pinhole camera is light-tight, all visible light leaks have
been sealed.

2) Your camera has a working aperture, shutter, and paper
loading mechanism (at wall to place photographic paper
upon). It has been carefully painted black inside of the body.

(40 points) The Pinhole Camera

(10 points) Design

1) Your camera can close to seal the interior space from light
without requiring lots of tape.

2) The material or object you are making your camera from
has been clearly considered to enable the camera to function
easily.
(40 points) The Pinhole Camera

(20 points) Craft

1) You have demonstrated careful and efcient use of
scissors, knives, tape (black and masking tape), spray paint,
and other building materials to make your pinhole camera.

2) Your pinhole camera has been built to be strong, durable,
and sturdy. You have addressed any structural weaknesses as
best as possible.

3) Your camera demonstrates care and craft in its
construction. You have invested time in the cameras overall
appearance.