We Have Cameras Just No Lenses
April 23, 2016 7:20 PM Subscribe
Tomorrow - or possibly today - is World Pinhole Photography Day! All around the world, people will be making cameras , which can be simple or complex; you can hack your DSLR or just use an Altoids tin. There are workshops & events happening all over the place, - if your town isn't listed there, Google, because there are a lot of things going on.
Previously on Metafilter with some quite awesome and helpful links!
Cool. So where does one get the light sensitive photo paper? Amazon search drew a blank
You can use any darkroom paper, then make contact prints from the negative you create in the box camera (this will also correct the image orientation). If you want a single positive image, then try reversal paper. Some people cut up raw film stock and use that in a small format. It's not hard to make a full size paper box camera out of a cardboard box, but you'll need to make the pinhole using foil over a bigger hole, or something. Exposure takes some time, and testing. You'll need a darkroom for paper processing, but not an enlarger.
posted by Brian B. at 8:25 PM on April 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
You can use any darkroom paper, then make contact prints from the negative you create in the box camera (this will also correct the image orientation). If you want a single positive image, then try reversal paper. Some people cut up raw film stock and use that in a small format. It's not hard to make a full size paper box camera out of a cardboard box, but you'll need to make the pinhole using foil over a bigger hole, or something. Exposure takes some time, and testing. You'll need a darkroom for paper processing, but not an enlarger.
posted by Brian B. at 8:25 PM on April 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
(Psst...you can also use this paper. It develops in water, IIRC)
posted by sexyrobot at 8:31 PM on April 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by sexyrobot at 8:31 PM on April 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
Yes, you do have to use actual photo paper, which requires somewhat careful handling in the dark and processing with chemicals, also in the dark. It is not hard though! Developer, fixer, stop bath & water.
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:38 PM on April 23, 2016
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:38 PM on April 23, 2016
I don't know if sunprint paper - which is actually blueprint paper-does work. I thought of trying that too but the info I found on it was discouraging. So I would recommend trying to get involved with some darkroom type people and using straight up photo paper.
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:41 PM on April 23, 2016
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:41 PM on April 23, 2016
I see what you did there.
posted by NortonDC at 9:42 PM on April 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by NortonDC at 9:42 PM on April 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
Dang! I'm out by a few timezones. Mind you, my pinhole camera isn't quite in the spirit of the thing, being an Olympus M4/3 with an adaptor ... so maybe I'll cheat a bit more and take some photos in the morning sun ...
posted by nickzoic at 3:55 AM on April 24, 2016
posted by nickzoic at 3:55 AM on April 24, 2016
I have a pinhole "lens" on my DSLR! Have to do some shoots!
posted by miyabo at 7:01 AM on April 24, 2016
posted by miyabo at 7:01 AM on April 24, 2016
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posted by Pantalaimon at 8:03 PM on April 23, 2016