1. PINHOLE Various Activities and Learning
Experiences 2010
PHOTOGRAPHY

2. What is Pinhole
Photography?
• No lenses, uses only a small
pin-sized hole and a light-
sensitive surface (e.g. film)
• Various materials can be used
for the camera body
• Gives a softer, lo-fi, vintage
effect to the images
• Almost an infinite depth-of-field
• Long exposures are needed

3. Sample Pinhole Cameras

4. Matchbox Pinhole Camera

5. Materials needed

6. Make a 24mm square on the matchbox compartment

7. Cut the square and color the inside black. This will be the film frame

8. Color also the inside of the matchbox cover

9. Cut a small rectangular hole in the center of the matchbox cover

10. Cut a piece of aluminum which is slightly bigger than the rectangle, and
punch a hole in the center using a needle or pin

11. Make sure that the hole is open, this will serve as the camera’s “lens”

12. Color the inside of the aluminum “lens” black

13. Place the “lens” on top of the rectangular hole, with the black-side
facing the inside of the camera body

14. Secure it in place using electric tape

15. Cut two pieces of cardboard slightly bigger than the aluminum lens.
These will create a pseudo-shutter mechanism

16. Color the rectangle black. You can use electric tape

17. Put the two pieces in place

18. The pseudo-shutter mechanism

19. Cut a piece of a ring-binder spine

20. Cut out the thick part

21. Attach it on your roll of film. This will serve as the shot counter

22. Attach it on your roll of film. This will serve as the shot counter

23. Cut the film leader strip

24. Insert the roll of film inside the matchbox. Make sure that the emulsion
side is facing the hole

25. Attach the end of the unexposed film in the end of the empty film
cannister. This will contain all your exposed film after

26. Insert the frame into the body

27. Close the box, and wind the film

28. What we have so far

29. Put electric tape around the spaces between the film and the camera
body to avoid light leaks

30. Put electric tape around the spaces between the film and the camera
body to avoid light leaks

31. This should do

32. Attach the tab of the can on the top of the empty film cannister

34. Start shooting!

35. SAMPLE PINHOLE PHOTOS