PINHOLE CAMERA
Instead of placing objects onto photo paper then exposing it to a controlled light source, like photograms I created, a pinhole camera can be used to create a photogram. A pinhole camera is a simple camera without a lens but with a tiny aperture, a pinhole- effectively a light proof box with a small hole in one side. Light fro, a scene passes through the aperture and projects an inverted image on the opposite side of the box, which is known as the camera obscura.
Camera obscura, ancestor of the photographic camera was first invented by Ibn Al-Haytham although many artists have redesigned it after. The Latin name means ' dark chamber' and the earliest versions, dating to antiquity, consisted of small darkened rooms with light admitted through a single tiny hole. The result was that an inverted image of the outside scene was cast on the opposite wall, which was usually whitened. For centuries the technique was used for the viewing eclipse of the Sun without endangering the eyes and by the 16th century as an aid to drawing; the subject was posed outside and the image reflected on a piece of drawing paper for the artist to trace. Portable versions were built, followed by smaller and even pocket models; the interior of the box was painted black and the image reflected by an angled mirror so that it could be viewed right side up.
I used a small Pringles can to create my pinhole camera. I did this by covering the lid and silver plastic in the inside of the can I thick black card.
This made my Pringles can light tight. I then cut out a small square (5mm) on one side of the Pringles can to allow some light to enter.
After doing that I created a flap above the small square so I could control when I wanted light to enter and not to enter.
Finally I placed a a sheet of photo paper inside the can on the opposite side of the square. Then I went outside and chose a view I wanted to capture and then set up the pinhole camera by holding is still and opening the flap for about 4-8 seconds.
By doing this I was allowing light to enter and hit the photo paper.
This made my Pringles can light tight. I then cut out a small square (5mm) on one side of the Pringles can to allow some light to enter.
After doing that I created a flap above the small square so I could control when I wanted light to enter and not to enter.
Finally I placed a a sheet of photo paper inside the can on the opposite side of the square. Then I went outside and chose a view I wanted to capture and then set up the pinhole camera by holding is still and opening the flap for about 4-8 seconds.
By doing this I was allowing light to enter and hit the photo paper.