Tips on How to Use Pinhole Cameras

Pinhole cameras are the most basic cameras. If you take a sophisticated still image camera and strip it of its features such as lens, zooming, automatic focus, flash, automatic exposure, etc., what you have left is the simplest unit that functions as a basic camera. It may sound primitive, but a pinhole camera is actually a very useful device. In fact, you can even build one yourself with a few readily available materials. If you have already built a pinhole camera yourself, here's how to use one:

Shooting with a pinhole camera

Load your pinhole camera using a photographic paper (choose a quick-acting one) or a film. Do this using a safelight or a flashlight in a dark or semi-dark room. Photographic paper is not as sensitive as film, so you'll have to perform exposures of up to 2 minutes on it for sunny conditions. With film, you'll only need about 1 to 2 seconds.
Make sure the side of the paper where the emulsion is (the shiny part) faces the pinhole. You'll need to use tape to attach the film or paper to your camera.

Make sure the shutter is made from dark, opaque material. This will ensure correct exposure of your images later. If you prefer, you can build a viewfinder to make focusing on a subject easier.

Next, choose your subject. Make sure there is sufficient light available. If the subject is at least 5 feet or closer to you, slightly tilt the camera upward to adjust for parallax. If the subject is more than 5 feet away, keep the pinhole camera at a straight horizontal.
Now the shooting begins...

Once you've chosen your subject, open the shutter flap to let in the light. Make sure the camera is still during the exposure or the photo won't come out right. If you prefer, you could use a tripod or any stable base to ensure that the camera is steady. Lift the cover of the pinhole and leave this open for the specific time you choose. Between exposures, make sure to keep the pinhole covered using black paper.

Picture development

To process and print photos made from a pinhole camera, you will only have to follow the same procedures used for photo development. Take care to ensure that there is sufficient exposure so the negative turns out dark. Make the contact print from the paper. Once that's done, you now have your very own photograph captured using a pinhole camera.

Pinhole cameras require some patience to build. They also require more patience to use. They are not for the impatient drive-by hobbyist. However, if you know how to use them properly, they can reward you with some of the most memorable photographs you'll ever take.
Visit Pinhole Cameras to learn more about hidden cameras and how to use them at home or at work.

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