Q&A for How to Make a Pinhole Camera

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Question

What is a pinhole camera useful for?

Community Answer

Simply to show others how people without smartphones or advanced technology used to make pictures. And to make pictures using historical methods yourself.

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Question

Where can I find the photographic paper or film for a pinhole camera?

Community Answer

You can find photographic paper at a local photo shop.

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Question

How do I shoot a photo with a pinhole camera?

Community Answer

Open the flap that covers the shutter for roughly thirty seconds (sometimes more) with photo paper, or a few seconds with film. It takes some experimentation to figure out the timing that works best for you.

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Question

Can I make a camera out of a cardboard box?

Community Answer

You can use any material you desire, so long as it has a stable structure and it doesn't flop.

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Question

Can I use a wrapper from a stick of butter as the screen?

Community Answer

Yes, you can.

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Question

Is there an easy camera that I can make for science class?

Community Answer

The pinhole camera was one of the first developed cameras. It is a basic camera without lens. It is the easiest, simplest camera to make.

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Question

Can I use this for the solar eclipse?

Community Answer

No, but this article contains instructions on making an eclipse viewer: How to Make a Shoebox Pinhole Camera . You might also enjoy looking through this article: How to View an Eclipse .

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Question

How do I view a solar eclipse with a pinhole camera?

Community Answer

You can't, as it is very dangerous.

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Question

Who invented the pinhole camera?

Community Answer

Abū ʿAlī al-Ḥasan ibn al-Ḥasan ibn al-Haytham, also known by the Latinization Alhazen or Alhacen.

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Question

Where do I put the camera?

Community Answer

The completed project actually is a camera itself. It's a very rudimentary camera with completely manual operation, but it is a camera nonetheless. For the best shot possible, you will need to place it on a table facing the subject, with the light source coming from behind the camera. Sunlight tends to work best for a natural looking photo.

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Question

If I paint the box for the pinhole camera black, do I have to also add aluminum foil?

Community Answer

No, you can choose to do either. If you're painting the the box black, there's no need for the foil.

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Question

Can I use printer paper?

Community Answer

No, as printer paper doesn’t contain the chemicals needed to create an image.

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