Pinhole cameras - remember them? You might have made one in science class. Punch a hole in an oatmeal cereal can, put
film inside, uncover the hole momentarily, and then develop the film.
Pinholes have been in use a long time, originating as perspective viewing devices as far back as 1425 by Filippo
Brunelleschi. Camera obscuras, based on the pinhole principle, were built - one example exists in Edinburgh, Scotland in a tower on the Royal Mile below the Castle.
Some of the first pinhole photographs were made by Sir David Brewster in 1859. By the early 1900s, pinhole photographs were again relegated to the dustbin of history,
with lensed cameras overtaking the pinhole in convenience and speed. Kodak briefly made a commercial pinhole camera in the 1940s. Pinhole photography today remains
primarily an artistic medium enjoyed by a dedicated group of photographers, and several web sites provide rich information on pinhole photography techniques.
(reference: Pinhole Photography: Rediscovering a Historic Technique, Eric Renner)
Holga Pinholes
Did you know you can easily make a pinhole camera - three, in fact - from the popular plastic Holga medium format
camera? Check out the following two links for more information on the Holgas and how to make pinhole cameras out of them.
A Panoramic Pinhole
A number of people have contacted me since Robert Monaghan posted my pinhole photos on his excellent photographic resource web site, with a specialty page dedicated to pinhole cameras. Without exception, they’ve asked for information
on how to build a similar camera. While I haven’t yet had time to provide full construction details, you’ll find some photographs and background information about the camera which may give you
some hints on getting started. Click on the camera image below. Check out the Zone Plate variation as well for a different look.
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with questions or comments about the web site.