Photography & Digital Design Assignment #8 The Shoebox Camera

Prove with a Pinhole that light only travels in a straight line

Shoebox Procurement

  1. Grab an old shoebox, or an envelope box.
  2. The best box will have a removable lid.
  3. It cannot be flimsy.
  4. It must be able to be totally “light tight”.
  5. You need to be able to open it easily to load your photo paper in and out it.
  6. Keep in mind the “focal length” of the camera (the distance from pinhole to photo paper)
  7. The longer the focal length, the larger the image will
  8. BUT, the longer the focal length, the longer the exposure time will need to be.

Creating the “Camera”

  1. The inside of the box must be non-reflective.
  2. It can be painted black, either with a spray can or by brush.
  3. OR it can be lined with black construction paper
  4. Keep Craftsmanship in your work.
  5. Measure and cut with precision
  6. Don’t guess, Don’t tear
  7. Get the black paper to slightly overlap each other, not just touch.
  8. Remember, the box must be “light tight”
  9. Determine which direction the light will travel through the box
  10. Use an exacto knife a square hole (about the size of a postage stamp) where the “lens” will go.
  11. Tape a small piece of aluminum foil (or black construction paper) over the square hole
  12. Using a straight pin, thumbtack, or similar, carefully punch a tiny round hole in the foil
  13. Create a shutter (something to cover over the pinhole and block the light
  14. Use black construction paper to create a flap
  15. Use masking tape as a hinge for the flap
  16. Use another piece of masking tape to hold the shutter closed.

Loading “Film” into your “Camera”

  1. This must be done in the Dark Room under SAFE LIGHTS only
  2. Cut a piece of photo paper so it is the right size to fit onto the back of the camera, that is, on the OPPOSITE side of the pinhole.
  3. Use two pieces of masking tape, each about one inch long
  4. Roll the tape into an “O” with the sticky side out
  5. Put the tape on the BASE side of the photo paper on diagonally opposite corners
  6. Place the paper in the box so that the paper is taped to the back wall, with the EMULSION side facing the pinhole.
  7. Replace the cover on the shoebox, and be sure the shutter is “closed”
  8. You may now exit the darkroom.

Your Shoebox Camera is now ready for use !

  1. Picking your subject
  2. Should be done outdoors. Indoors will work, but it will need MASSIVE exposure times.
  3. Exposure times will most likely be from 3-10 minutes.
  4. Your subject will have to be as motionless as a statue for the entire exposure
  5. Your dog or cat will not be a good subject.
  6. Even a tree is a poor subject, if it is blowing in the wind.
  7. Even though we are making this camera to study the SCIENCE of light, we still cannot turn our back on our CREATIVITY. Try to choose a subject that has high interest. Even though we do not have a viewfinder, try to compose the photo with the rule of thirds in mind. Choose an interesting background, as well.
  8. I would really like to see a PERSON as your subject. Yes, it is more difficult to do than just shooting a picture of a shoe, but it will pay off in the long run and being “way more interesting” !!!
  1. Camera set-up
  2. Bring something to place your camera on (or just use the ground for a “low angle” shot.)
  3. Plan for a tilt of the camera. (a notebook binder works well)
  4. Bring something to hold the camera so that it does not shake in the wind.
  5. (Optional) Bring something for your subject to sit on.
  6. If at all possible, have you subject in the sunlight looking in the direction of the sun.
  7. The shadow of your subject should be directly behind the subject.
  8. The placement of the camera, angle, and distance from the subject involves some guessing.

Determining Exposure Times

  1. Look at past times that worked well
  2. Our class camera had a focal length of 6 ¾ inches
  3. On a bright sunny day, we used a 5 minute exposure
  4. On a relatively sunny day, we used a 6 minute exposure.
  5. On an overcast day (no shadows), we needed a 10 minute exposure
  6. Assuming that our pinhole sizes are constant, adjust your time based upon your focal length and the sunshine of day.

Exposuring the Paper

  1. With the camera where you want it, secure and not rocking or blowing in the wind, with your subject as still as a statue, open the shutter
  2. Carefully time you exposure.
  3. Keep track of all the information on you Pinhole Camera Log
  4. Carefully close the shutter at the end of the timed exposure.

Developing the Negative Image

  1. In the Dark Room, under SAFE LIGHT conditions only…. Remove the paper from the box.
  2. Set the wall timer so that you can keep track of your time.
  3. Remove the tape from the paper
  4. Place the paper in the developer, emulsion side up
  5. Be sure the paper is completely submerged below the chemical immediately.
  6. Agitate the tray both directions, constant agitation
  7. We will “develop by inspection”
  8. It would be nice if the development took 2 minutes, but it may be more, or it may be less
  9. The areas of your photo that were the “whitest” should appear jet black
  10. The areas that were the darkest should be white.
  11. Because it is dark in the darkroom, students often take the negative out too early.
  12. Keep a careful eye !
  13. Stop Bath, Fix, Orbit Bath, Wash, and Squeegee as all other photo papers are done.
  14. If you are happy with it, proceed to PART 2 – Making a Positive from a Negative
  15. If you are not happy, do a little “critical thinking”, make some changes, then try it again.
  16. Show it to the teacher one way or the other.