Process of making the Pinhole camera.
I used a Pringle container to use as the main frame for the pinhole camera.
I cut a small square hole in the container. This is where the lens was made and the part of the container that will be exposed and taking the photograph.
I then painted the inside of the container black, so it was dark inside where I was putting the photo paper. This is so there will be no light inside the container as this would not work when I came to taking pictures.
I covered the hole I cut out with foil and taped it tightly in place so no light can get through.
Before doing anything else the paint inside the container had to dry.
Then I had to make a cap to cover the foil lens as this cannot be exposed to any light other then when I am taking the photo. If it was exposed to any light the photos I took would not come out right.
Then I had to work out the focal length. This is the equation that works out the amount of time you expose your camera lens to light. To work out this equation you simply measure the top opening of your container, divide it by 0.8 and this gives you the focal length. My equation was 72mm – 72/0.8=90 – F90. This equation showed that my average exposure time was around 30 seconds. This changes depending on the amount of light or the area you are shooting in.
Preparing to take the pictures
Once my container was ready to use we were taking in to the dark room to set our cameras up. We were shown the different chemicals used to develop our pictures.
There were three trays filled with chemicals all which had a purpose.
We were shown how to put in the photographic paper inside our containers. The paper went on to the opposite side to the lens. After we had placed the photographic paper inside we had to tape up the container with black gaffer tap so no light could get in.
Taking pictures
Now that my camera was ready to take pictures I had to go to the location I chose to shoot my picture and set up my camera. I chose outside locations for my pictures. While developing my photos I learned that the exposure times I was using were sometimes not right. My first image didn’t come out with anything on it, it was just black. This was due to the amount of exposure time. So I had to lower the times of exposure until I was getting good shots. I did this process four times when I was satisfied I had got some good images.
Developing the pictures
Each time I had taken I photo I went back in to the dark room and started developing my photos. I didn’t open my container until I was in the darkroom. I then took out the photographic paper from inside and placed it in to the first tray which is called the ‘fixer’, after this the paper went in to the second tray called the ‘developer’ this then develops the photo. I cannot leave the photo in this for too long as it will keep on developing the photo. The last tray to put the paper in is called the ‘stop’ this stops the photo from developing. Now I was able to see the result of my pictures.
If I was happy with the outcome of the picture I could then put the picture in the wash tray and then put it through the dryer to dry out all the chemicals that had been on the paper. I did this for all my pictures.
After developing the pictures I had to scan the images to myself and open them in to Photoshop where I inverted them in to a positive image.
Analysis
Once all my pictures had been developed I was able to sit and look at the results I had produced. Overall I think my pictures came out quite well. They are quite dark, this is where I was exposing them to the light too much. I did lower my exposure time but they still came out quite dark. One of my pictures shows a lot of detail where as another picture is quite blurred. As I was taking my photos outside and it was quite a bright day it was important to get the exposure time correct. Once I had put them into Photoshop and inverted them they are changed to a positive image they turned very light and I don’t like them as much as the negative images I took came out. The ones I developed came out with a lot more detail and there are things you can see on the negative images that you can’t see on Photoshop. Comparing my pictures to other Pinhole photographers work shows the different images you can produce with experience or different resources. Dianne Hooper Bloomfield has photgraphing for over 20 years and this is an example of the quality of her work.
Research and Development
Pinhole camera is one of the earliest cameras used in photography it is also one of the oddest cameras as you do not use a lens or any machinery. Pinhole camera was used back in ancient times. This was then developed and the hole was enlarged and a telescope lens was added. Lenses were continuously enlarged and improved. To get the outline of a scene or an object people used translucent paper. Using a mirror was common, a large concave mirror was set at the back of the camera to produce an image on a small centrally mounted plate. Cameras were constructed in the shape of simple boxes designed so that a smaller box moved within a larger one. The sizes of cameras were then reduced, having reasoned that a small image produced by a lens of large aperture and short focal length would require less exposure. There were many boxes measuring only 75 mm cubed to which fitted a lens, and which could hold a sheet of sensitized paper. Soon cameras were made with removable paper holders. Not only were the materials used to hold the images changing, the technology inside the cameras changing, so were the materials on the outside changing. Cameras were generally made of polished mahogany with lacquered-brass fittings, but Europe walnut was the preferred wood and metalwork was generally only lightly lacquered or left plain. Soon cameras were replaced with roll film instead of using paper, this made photography much easier and cheaper. Cameras were always developing soon it was made possible to get new films and lens designs. Also the success of 35mm cameras was being created but so were cameras taking smaller films than 35mm, for example a camera was available which took a 16mm roll of film. By creating cameras that took smaller rolls of film this also shows the cameras themselves decreasing in size. This reflects in the technology we have today. With the smaller cameras coming along there were more new features being added as well. These were things like a built in flash and automatic exposure control. More advanced technology was being introduced like digital and Polaroid instant photography. Polaroid was not around for long as digital technology had more advantages. The major change in photographic technology was electronics. Electronic circuits were added to cameras for automatic exposure control. Makers introduced similar electronically controlled cameras but the Canon A1 was recognized as the first of a new type of camera. Since new materials were available and were able to be adapted around camera invention, the development of them has been increasing. We have seen this happen as there has been cameras added to mobile phones, there are better quality digital cameras available to get clearer images. This will continue to increase in all areas of camera and video as new materials will become available and adaptable in the future.
Evaluation
Studying and creating my own Pinhole camera has not only developed my knowledge on photography, it has developed my knowledge on how much technology has changed. Even though there is now access to so much advanced software, you can still create good, effective images without using any machinery or electric equipment. When doing this process I was hoping to learn about using the dark room features and produce images successfully with a pinhole camera I had created. I also wanted to learn how to use Photoshop after I had developed my images. This was a new experience and it was exciting to see the outcome of each picture.
I learnt how to create a Pinhole camera with a simple container. I learnt how to load my camera with photo paper and create a cover and the lens that will be exposed to light. After taking the pictures we learnt about developing them in the dark room. We were shown all the developing chemicals what they do and which order they had to be used in. This then developed my image and I was then able to look at my results. After the results were developed we were shown how to put them on to Photoshop and change them from my negative image to a positive. I also learnt about focal formula, this works out the amount of exposure time. Pinhole camera is a trial and error production as your not always guaranteed good results.
I was happy with some of my results. One of my images has a lot of detail in and a good shot of people in the background. It is also shot from a good angle, but I think they could have been better. I could have found better locations for my shots and had better outcomes. If I was to do this project again I would use a different container as my container was quite difficult to prepare before I took any pictures. It was also quite difficult to stop any light from getting in as it was such an awkward shape. I would use a bigger container next time I did this as it wouldn’t be so awkward to set up and you could produce bigger images with a larger camera.
Pinhole photography links with this course as it is a form of photography. Even though it is not used as much as any other forms of photography, pinhole was one of the earliest cameras used in photography. It also shows you some of the aspects of photography that are relevant to all areas. Even though you are not actually using an actual camera, you are in the sense that you create images at the end of the process. I think Pinhole photography is one of the most fascinating forms of photography as you are not using any high technology that we have today, but you can still create some amazing photos by just using the sunlight and a simple container.
Photography Notes
Creating still or moving pictures by recording radiation on a sensitive medium, such as a photographic film or electronic sensor.
Genres of photography
Creating still or moving pictures by recording radiation on a sensitive medium, such as a photographic film or electronic sensor.
Genres of photography
Light always travels in a straight line.
Shutter - captures the light from the object and brings it to focus on the film or detector.
Aperture - – is a hole or an opening through which light travels. This can be measured in increments called ‘f-stops’.
Lens – is a device that allows light to pass through for a determined period of time.
Studio/Dark Room Rules
No running or fooling around
No coats or bags on the floor
Dry hands before using electrics
Use tongs to handle paper
Don’t mix wet and dry sides of the darkroom
Beware of cables on the floor
Flash heads get hot
Be careful when using paper background system.
Commercial – Advertising
Fine Art – Gallery/ Art
Portrait – Picture of someone – Setup
Stock – People use other peoples photography
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