Pinhole Cameras…Pinhole Cameras…

Beginning PhotographyBeginning Photography

Ms. SchouMs. Schou

Lynnwood High SchoolLynnwood High School

Cardboard or magic?

A brief historyA brief history Euclid demonstrated the image-forming Euclid demonstrated the image-forming

possibilities of the pinhole in 300 B.C. In the possibilities of the pinhole in 300 B.C. In the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci is credited 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci is credited with giving a description of the pinhole with giving a description of the pinhole camera more or less as we think of it today.camera more or less as we think of it today.

Pinhole photography provides an Pinhole photography provides an inexpensive means to introduce people of inexpensive means to introduce people of all ages to the principles of photography. all ages to the principles of photography. It's a hands-on experience where people It's a hands-on experience where people learn by doing rather than listening to long learn by doing rather than listening to long theories and less than inspiring theories and less than inspiring explanations. explanations.

What I think of pinhole photography, by Dave What I think of pinhole photography, by Dave Clarridge: Clarridge:

What I love about pinhole photography is that it is What I love about pinhole photography is that it is MAGICALMAGICAL. . Without all the expensive gadgetry I am able to capture Without all the expensive gadgetry I am able to capture

what I feel, more than what I see. One never knows exactly what I feel, more than what I see. One never knows exactly what you're going to get with a pinhole camera until the what you're going to get with a pinhole camera until the

paper is developed. And what appears is something only a paper is developed. And what appears is something only a pinhole camera can see. It's as though a parallel universe is pinhole camera can see. It's as though a parallel universe is

opened up to us. Whenever people see my pinhole opened up to us. Whenever people see my pinhole photographs the standard reaction is "You took that with a photographs the standard reaction is "You took that with a pinhole camera? Wow!" And, "I don't understand how that pinhole camera? Wow!" And, "I don't understand how that

can work? There's no lens."can work? There's no lens."

What is it?What is it? Lensless photography. A tiny hole replaces Lensless photography. A tiny hole replaces

the lens. Light passes through the hole; an the lens. Light passes through the hole; an image is formed in the camera. Basically a image is formed in the camera. Basically a pinhole camera is a box, with a tiny hole at pinhole camera is a box, with a tiny hole at one end and film or photographic paper at one end and film or photographic paper at the other. the other.

Pinhole cameras are used for fun, for art Pinhole cameras are used for fun, for art and for science. Designing and building and for science. Designing and building the cameras are great fun. Making images the cameras are great fun. Making images with cameras you have made yourself is a with cameras you have made yourself is a great pleasure, too.. Some of the images great pleasure, too.. Some of the images could not have been produced with a lens. could not have been produced with a lens.

What it can look like:What it can look like:

oror

Here are some samples:Here are some samples:

Now it is your turn…Now it is your turn… Work with a partner at your tableWork with a partner at your table Follow the instructions providedFollow the instructions provided While making your cameras, I will take While making your cameras, I will take

small groups into the darkroom and small groups into the darkroom and explain how we will process our paperexplain how we will process our paper

I will demonstrate making a photogramI will demonstrate making a photogram Each team will make one cameraEach team will make one camera Take your time! Take your time!

What’s after the pinhole What’s after the pinhole camera?camera?

We will have a critique of our images (pinhole and We will have a critique of our images (pinhole and photoram)photoram)

Then you will take your first roll of 35mm black and white Then you will take your first roll of 35mm black and white film (I will provide the roll of 24 exposures for you)film (I will provide the roll of 24 exposures for you)

Your assignment will be to take roll of TEXTURE Your assignment will be to take roll of TEXTURE Look around for different or unusual texture, caused by and Look around for different or unusual texture, caused by and

object’s surface and/or the light that falls on it object’s surface and/or the light that falls on it Try to take photos that no one else in the class will takeTry to take photos that no one else in the class will take If you start shooting with your own film, use 400 ASA black If you start shooting with your own film, use 400 ASA black

and white onlyand white only

HAVE FUN AND BE CREATIVE!!!!!!!!HAVE FUN AND BE CREATIVE!!!!!!!!

I will give you an official assignment sheet later on along I will give you an official assignment sheet later on along with a more detailed lesson and some exampleswith a more detailed lesson and some examples