Camera Obscura

Exhibition: Portraits In Light

Artist: Petra Malla Miller

Overview

The camera obscura is a very old device.  It was used long before the camera was invented and  became a popular aid when drawing and painting to assist with tracing.  It soon became the basis for how early photographic cameras were invented.  The device is also referred to as a pinhole camera as it uses a very small hole to let the reflected light in, ultimately creating a natural optical phenomenon.  The image or scene on the outside of the pinhole box is projected through the tiny hole and appears inside the box reversed and inverted.  In a modern camera, a lens and mirror is used to reflect the image back upright.  

Replicating this original form of capturing an image, participants will create their own pinhole camera and explore framing subjects and compositions. 

Objectives

• Understand the basic concept of how a camera works

• Explore the phenomenon of a pinhole camera and framing a subject

• Develop fine motor skills and craftsmanship in building their own pinhole camera

Materials

Cardboard Tube; recycled oatmeal tube or empty paper towel roll

Aluminum Foil

Wax paper

Rubber bands 

Black Construction paper

Black Electrical Tape

Straight Pin

Ruler

Marker

Utility Knife

Paint or drawing materials for decorating

Sunny day

Instructions:

Step One

Take your ruler and measure two inches up from the bottom of the cardboard tube.  Turning the tube, mark at a two inch height several more times around the circumference of the tube and then connect the marks so you have a continuous line.  Using the utility knife, follow the marked line and cut through the tube.  Your tube will now be in two pieces, one shorter length and one longer length.

Step Two

Roll a piece of black construction paper inside each piece of tube and trim the length to fit.  No need to tape secure, it will stay in place on its own.  Lining the tubes with black paper stops any refractory light from bouncing around inside the viewer and will create a clearer image.

Step Three

Take the longer length of tube and affix a piece of wax paper to one end using a rubber band or black electrical tape.  The wax paper will act as your viewing screen. It will sit inside the tube and be the surface that your image ends up being reflected on to. Next, take the shorter length of tube and tape or use a rubber band to attach a smooth piece of aluminum foil to one end.

Step Four

Assemble your tube back to its original length by taping the two pieces back together.  Make sure the wax paper is in the middle section of the tube, and the aluminum foil on the bottom end.

Step Five

Take your straight pin.  Carefully poke a pinhole in the centre of the aluminum foil.  Work patiently as you want the hole to be as tiny and smooth as possible. 

Step Six

It is very important to ensure that the inside of your tube is light tight.  Wrap the entire exterior of the tube with black coloured construction paper. 

To create a light tight viewfinder, trace the open end of the tube on to black paper and cut out the circle. Make sure you cut on the outside of your line to make sure you have enough black paper to tape over the edges.  Cut a small rectangle out of the middle of the paper and secure to the open end of the tube. You may then choose to decorate and personalize the exterior of your camera.

Step Seven

Head outside on a sunny day to test out your camera.  Aim the camera obscura at a bright object or scene and look into the viewfinder.  Hold your eye tight to the viewfinder trying not to let any excess light in.  Look carefully inside and you should be able to see an upside down mirror image of the object or scene you are looking at.