Pinhole Cameras… Beginning Photography Ms. Schou Lynnwood High School Cardboard or magic?

A brief history  Euclid demonstrated the image-forming possibilities of the pinhole in 300 B.C. In the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci is credited with giving a description of the pinhole camera more or less as we think of it today.  Pinhole photography provides an inexpensive means to introduce people of all ages to the principles of photography. It's a hands-on experience where people learn by doing rather than listening to long theories and less than inspiring explanations.

What I think of pinhole photography, by Dave Clarridge: What I love about pinhole photography is that it is MAGICAL. Without all the expensive gadgetry I am able to capture what I feel, more than what I see. One never knows exactly what you're going to get with a pinhole camera until the paper is developed. And what appears is something only a pinhole camera can see. It's as though a parallel universe is opened up to us. Whenever people see my pinhole photographs the standard reaction is "You took that with a pinhole camera? Wow!" And, "I don't understand how that can work? There's no lens."

What is it?  Lensless photography. A tiny hole replaces the lens. Light passes through the hole; an image is formed in the camera. Basically a pinhole camera is a box, with a tiny hole at one end and film or photographic paper at the other.  Pinhole cameras are used for fun, for art and for science. Designing and building the cameras are great fun. Making images with cameras you have made yourself is a great pleasure, too.. Some of the images could not have been produced with a lens.

What it can look like:

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Here are some samples:

Now it is your turn…  Work with a partner at your table  Follow the instructions provided  While making your cameras, I will take small groups into the darkroom and explain how we will process our paper  I will demonstrate making a photogram  Each team will make one camera  Take your time!

What’s after the pinhole camera?  We will have a critique of our images (pinhole and photoram)  Then you will take your first roll of 35mm black and white film (I will provide the roll of 24 exposures for you)  Your assignment will be to take roll of TEXTURE  Look around for different or unusual texture, caused by and object’s surface and/or the light that falls on it  Try to take photos that no one else in the class will take  If you start shooting with your own film, use 400 ASA black and white only HAVE FUN AND BE CREATIVE!!!!!!!!  I will give you an official assignment sheet later on along with a more detailed lesson and some examples