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homemade camera
this is how to make a pinhole camera.

Posted by michelle G. from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada • Published 9th September 2008 • See michelle G. 's 1253 projects »

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Step 1
First gather all your supplies.

The copper plate/peice of pop can

the box or container(cardboard coffee or tea containers work well too)

the black electric tape

the black paint or card
Step 2
now make a small hole in the copper plate with the needle.

This can take a while, you have to bore into the copper with the needle.
Step 3
after the hole has been made in the plate

tape it to the inside of the box or container, where you want it.

now make a hole in the box(infront of the plate hole)
Step 4
line the inside of the box or container with the black paint or card. It has to be light proof.

once completed, put the cover on. Check that no light gets in.

make a cover for the outside hole(black tape works fine)
Step 5
now in a darkroom, place the photographic paper in. Emolsion side facing the hole.

The hole is where the light enters(it is like the lense of the pinhole camera)

To take a picture, lift the outside flap and keep off for about a minute or so.
Step 6
Tips.

You need plenty of light to make these.

The camera should remain still while exposing.

Usually wait three to five minutes for a proper exposure.

If its inside, with lights, try one to two hours for good exposure.
Step 7
once the exposure is up, cover the hole tightly with the tape.

Bring to the darkroom to develop.
Step 8
to develop, take the top off the camera(the room has to be light proof)

and place the photographic paper in the baths.

first in the developer, then the fixer, then the stop bath.

hang to dry.
Step 9
now you have pin hole negitive.

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Comments

MissMeliss · Tracy, California, US · 17 projects 17th February 2009

I did this in the fifth grade using a round cardboard quaker oatmeal box....we won first place in the california state science fair. I could never remember how the heck we did it so I really am glad to see this project here!

DIS.AR.RAY · Las Vegas, Nevada, US · 32 projects 17th October 2008

ugh! These are amazing!

My friend created one of these and took some badass photos, but that last one of the buildings, that was cool. The first one, it seems that the can got bumped a bit.

I'm making one soon

SilverFilmRoses · Charlotte, North Carolina, US · 8 projects 16th September 2008

i did this in a photo class about 5 years ago. i don't remember using copper or a soda can. i think we just poked a hole in the box. anyway, i wish i had a dark room. i love these : )

michelle G. · Antigonish, Nova Scotia, CA · 1258 projects 12th September 2008

its not that hard, the hardest part is drilling the hole in the copper

Missy El · Melbourne, Victoria, AU · 5 projects 11th September 2008

We did this in photography class, something like 8 years ago! I'd love to try it again! Thank you for the tutorial!

Cat Morley · London, GB · 1432 projects 10th September 2008

Very awesome, I want to give this a go one day - just got to get all the supplies.

FoxesinBoxes · Bury, England, GB · 10 projects 9th September 2008

Ahh, classic.
These are so hard to get right on a deadline. I recommend you wait for the right conditions, so you don't waste the paper.
Nice tutorial though.