Do you want to know how to make a pinhole camera?

In this article you're going to learn how to make a pinhole camera. I know you’re asking, "What is a pinhole camera?" because I did. It’s a kind of camera, a camera that uses a pinhole instead of a lens. You can take all sorts of pictures with it.

It first came about for solar eclipses. We all know you can’t look directly at the sun, but with a pinhole camera you can take pictures of the eclipse and have them forever.

Now let’s move on to the fun part, how to make a pinhole camera.

Items Needed:

* corrugated cardboard from a box, or stiff cardboard from the back of a pad of paper * black paper * black tape (electrical tape will work) * black spray paint (optional) * a cartridge of 126 film* * aluminum foil * two large rubber bands * a ruler * a pencil * scissors * a sharp knife * a straight pin or sewing needle * a coin

Directions on How to Make a Pinhole Camera:

First cut the cardboard to a rectangle measuring 5 ¾ inches by 2 inches. Mark of 1 7/16 inch (you will have 4 sections). Next take the knife a lightly cut (make sure you don’t cut through the cardboard) at each 1 7/16 mark. Fold the cardboard at each cut mark until you have a box. Before taping it together you will need to make the inside black. You can do this by spray painting it black or using strips of black tape. Be sure if you use the spray paint to let I dry completely.

Once it’s dry, fold the cardboard into a box and tape it together. To make sure no light comes in be sure to tape each corner plus the ends with your black tape.

Next place the box into the film cartridge and look into the box. You shouldn’t be able to see any light coming in.

For the front of the camera, cut another piece of cardboard 13/4 inches by 3 inches. Find the center of the rectangle you have just cut. Cut a square ½ inch by 1/2 inch. Once again line the front of this piece with black tape. Make sure you don’t cover the square opening you made. Now you will need to cover the square opening with aluminum foil. Use the needle to make a hole in the center of the foil. You will also need a piece of black paper to cover the opening when you aren’t taking pictures.

Tape the box to this piece of cardboard to make sure no light enters the box. You can hold the box and the film cartridge together using the 2 rubber bands. Make sure to keep the black paper over the hole tightly until you are ready to take a picture.

Taking Pictures with the Pinhole Camera

It's no use learning how to make a pinhole camera if you don't know how to take pictures with it. That's what this section will show you. First, look on the back of the film cartridge and you will see a little window with an arrow. Using the coin on the top of the film cartridge, you can move to film until you see a set of #1’s. Stop turning it when you see the 3rd and fourth #1. Hold your camera very steady and move the black paper from the hole. Hold it off about 60 seconds then cover the hole. Continue moving the film to the next set of numbers. Remembering to go to the third and fourth set of numbers (third and fourth #2, third and fourth #3, etc) Once you’ve taken all of your pictures, take the roll to someplace to be developed. Make sure they know to give you all the pictures.

Now you’ve learned how to make a pinhole camera and take pictures with it.

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