Making a Pinhole Camera
Lesson objective: In this two part series of lessons students will;
Part One
- Research and document a range of pinhole camera designs
- Decide on and draft their chosen camera design
- Make a pinhole camera
Part Two
- Produce a small body of themed photographic works.
Resources
- Internet or hard copy access
- Black paint + brushes
- Aluminum foil
- No 10 sewing needle
- Black tape
- Black cardboard or boxboard
- PVA glue
- 1/4 inch drill head + drill or awl
- Metal or other type of ruler
- Materials relevant to making camera based on researched design e.g., cans, boxes heavy box-board, black foam core or balsa-wood
lesson steps or sequence
Project Introduction
- Discuss the history of the pinhole camera and its connection to the principle of the camera obscura.
- Show students a range of production options and explain the material requirements of each.
- Emphasise the importance of completely light-proofing the camera body during the production process.
- Explain the relevant Work Health and Safety risks and procedures to adhere to.
Camera design and construction.
- Based on your chosen design source and bring to class materials for your camera body.
- Either (a) lightproof the interiors of cans or boxes with black paint ensuring complete coverage of the inner surface or (b) assemble pre-painted and cut balsa wood panels or (c) cut and assemble cut black foam core.
- Check the stability of glued joints and seal all the outer joins with black tape and check for any light leaks for cameras assembled from balsa or foam core.
- Using either a 1/4 inch drill bit or awl students with cameras made from cans cut an opening in the centre of the camera body.
- Students with box cameras use a safety blade to cut a 1 inch square opening in the centre of the front panel.
- Cut foil to fit over opening in camera body.
- Pierce foil with No10 needle and fit foil to camera body.
- Make and fit shutter to camera body.
Post production.
- Check camera construction and complete checklist.
- Your teacher checks camera against student checklist and verifies camera is ready to shoot.
Credits:
clarewestphotography.co.uk hweeling.blogspot.com lilblueboo.com