Pinhole Photography at Odiorne State Park: Part 1

So, what is a pinhole camera?

The world’s first camera! The concept is as old as Aristotle, but I first learned about them in my high school photography class. Today, there is a niche of photographers who enthusiastically pursue the pinhole camera for its pure simplicity.

What you’ll need:

1. Some kind of box/can/jar

2. Thin cardboard

3. Small needle

4. Duct tape

5. Black Paint

6. camera film

 

First

Cut out a small hole in your box then paint the inside black.

Get that cardboard, cut out a square large enough to fit over the hole you just cut. Take the needle and make a very small “pinhole in the center of the cardboard.

Duct tape the square to the box.

Making a shutter is optional (you could just use another piece of tape), but here’s an example of what I made. I used a bread-crumbs box, can of beans, and a box of instant pudding.

Okay, so this next part is tricky. You have to use do this step in complete darkness…

…meaning wait until the sun goes down, grab your gear, a sleeping bag, and turn off all the lights in the room.

I used old film, because I had some around, but you could also use photographic paper, to put in the box opposite of the pinhole.

Light is your best and worse friend here. It will soon allow you to “record” a picture, but for now any amount will overexpose your film, giving you no picture. This is why, in addition to waiting until night and turning off the lights, a sleeping bag is used so most of your handy work can be done within the bag and away from that light.

You might want to practice this step with the lights on before you attempt it without any light bulbs.

Turn off the lights and throw the film, a pinhole camera, and scissors in the sleeping bag (have some tape handy too).

Cut strips (one strip per camera), 2-3 inches long, and tape the non-shiny side into the camera directly across from the pinhole.

Now put on the lid and close the box and tape it shut-light proof it!

If your confident in you taping ability you can turn on the lights now and start planning your photo destination.

I went to Ordiorne State Park on a nice sunny day psyched to try out my first batch of pinhole cameras.

Found some good pinhole sites.

I saw a huge barge off the coast whose cargo reminded me of the historic Memorial Bridge of Portsmouth that was just retired.

Great views of the Isle of Shoals, hard to believe there are only 6 miles off the coast.

What’s left of Odiorne’s military history.

Next week is part 2: Developing the Negatives. An experience truly unique from the local 1 hour photo.