Making a Pinhole Camera

Most students are incredulous when I tell them they will be making their own camera. When they find out just how simple it is to do, they are even more surprised.

Every camera, from pinhole to the most sophisticated, has five basic parts. By working with a simple pinhole camera, we can better understand the Single Lens Reflex cameras we will use later in the year.

1. A light tight container
2. An aperture (opening)
3. A shutter
4. A viewfinder of some kind.
5. A film transport system.

This tutorial is similar to my demonstration.

How to make a pinhole camera.

Assignment: Build a working pinhole camera. When you are finished, follow these steps.

1. Is your camera light tight? _______________________________________________________
2. What is the aperture of your pinhole camera? Divide the focal length (distance from the pinhole to the negative plane) by the diameter of the pinhole (0.0010)  Your result should be somewhere around f500. ________________________________________________________________________
3. Using a 20 second exposure as a benchmark for a sunny day, make a series of test exposures to determine the best exposure time for your camera.
• If the initial exposure is too dark, half the exposure time.
• If it's too light double it. Us this sheet to record your test information.
• Every time you double or half the time, you have changed the exposure one stop.
• Make sure to weight your camera down with a book or other heavy object. Camera movement will blur your image.
• Remember to stay as still as possible. Movements during log exposure will create bury images. Your may ask a friend to open and close yhour shutter for you.
• Do not shoot into the sun. 

1st Test Strip (list conditions, time of exposure and result).

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

2nd Test Strip (list conditions, time of exposure and result)

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

3rd Test Strip (list conditions, time of exposure and result).

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

4. My best exposure time in bright sunshine is _______________________________________________
5. Shoot your self portrait and develop your negative.
6. Make a positive print from you negative.
7.Sepia tone your print.
8.Dry mount the print.

Fall Color

If you haven't noticed the riot of fall colors this year, you're not paying attention to the world around you. Your assignment is to get outside and search for some of the wonderful yellow, orange and reds that dot the landscape. Don't just think about landscapes, get close to your subject. Think about the fall harvest as well.

Take a lot of photos. Taking more images improves your odds of getting that one great shot. Post your best 3 and describe where you photographed them.

Here are some of my "Fall Colors".

Pumpkins at Rulf's

Maple Leaves

Vibrant Color

Beaver Pond

Collage Photogram

Gabby C. 2013

This third photogram is really an example of "Copier Arts". 

Process:

Construct a Collage out of images that reflect you. Use magazine images or photos you've printed off the web. Paste it up on the 5x8" oak tag that is provided.

1. Scan the image and print it.
2. Cut it out to its edge. This will become your "paper" negative.
3. Use test strips to determine the correct exposure and make a print. The resulting image should be a negative one. (Whites are black, blacks are white)
4. Use your new image as the next "paper" negative. Your next image should be a positive.
5. Dry mount the two images next to each other. If you wish you may also mount the original color print.

Dry Mounting a Photo

Dry Mounting

Assignment: 
Dry mount both your "Found Object" and "Stencil" photograms.

How to:

1. Determine the size of  the mat by first measuring the photographs size. Add 6 inches to the width of the image. Add 6.5 inches to the photos height. For our 5x8" image we will need an 11.5x14" mat.
2. Do you want white or black for your mat? Cut the mat to size.
3. Make sure the press is preheated to 170 degrees. (Remember to check, sometimes someone will play with the dry mounting press and change the settings.)
4. Preheat the tacking iron. Remember this is very hot and can cause severe burns. Always rest it on it's cradle.
5. Place the image face down on a clean surface. (white oak tag)
6. Position a sheet of dry-mounting tissue over the photograph.
7. Attach the tissue to the print. Remember to only touch the iron to the print for a brief moment, or you will damage the front of the print.
8. Using a T-square and cutting board, trim the photo and tissue. They should be the same size when your have finished.
9. Mark the mat board.
10. Position the photo on the mat board and tack it on. (one side is sufficient.)
11. Place the image into the press photo side up. Cover with a clean slip sheet. (White oak tag)
12. Close press for 1 minute and 20 seconds.
13. Remove image and place a heavy weight on it. (books)
14. Use a kneaded eraser to clean up any pencil marks.
15. Lightly sand the edges to remove any tear out from the cutter.

It sounds difficult, but once you've done it it will become second nature. There is a reason I had you practice using an x-acto knife!