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Time
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homemade camera
this is how to make a pinhole camera.

Posted by michelle G. from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada • Published 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)

  • How to make a pinhole camera. Pinhole Camera - Step 4
    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.

  • How to make a pinhole camera. Pinhole Camera - Step 9
    Step 9

    now you have pin hole negitive.

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Comments

MissMeliss
MissMeliss · Tracy, California, US · 17 projects
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!
Reply
DIS.AR.RAY
DIS.AR.RAY · Las Vegas, Nevada, US · 32 projects
ugh! These are amazing! Happy 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 Happy
Reply
SilverFilmRoses
SilverFilmRoses · Charlotte, North Carolina, US · 8 projects
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 : )
Reply
michelle G.
michelle G. · Antigonish, Nova Scotia, CA · 1258 projects
its not that hard, the hardest part is drilling the hole in the copper
Reply
Missy El
Missy El · Melbourne, Victoria, AU · 5 projects
We did this in photography class, something like 8 years ago! I'd love to try it again! Thank you for the tutorial!
Reply
Cat Morley
Cat Morley · London, GB · 1432 projects
Very awesome, I want to give this a go one day - just got to get all the supplies.
Reply
FoxesinBoxes
FoxesinBoxes · Bury, England, GB · 10 projects
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.
Reply
maryam
maryam · Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, AE · 16 projects
that seems kinda hard,, but would like to try it
Reply
corrie w
corrie w · Columbus, Ohio, US · 7 projects
sweet thats pretty rad
Reply

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