How to Build a Panoramic Pinhole Camera

The pinhole camera is the most basic type of camera design. Students, photography enthusiasts and hobbyists can easily build this type of camera using common household materials. By changing the shape of the pinhole, the shape of the resulting image will be affected, so building a panoramic pinhole camera is a simple variation on the classic pinhole camera design. With the right preparation and materials, you can build your own panoramic pinhole camera yourself in an afternoon.

Instructions

1

Lay down a sheet of newspaper to protect your working table from the black acrylic paint. Paint the empty container inside and out, including the lid. The black paint will prevent light reflections from interfering in the operation of your camera. Set the lid and container aside to dry for at least two hours.

2

Cut a 2-inch square piece of aluminum from the side of a clean soda can. Place the aluminum on a piece of cardboard, and smooth the aluminum flat. Poke a No. 10 sewing needle about a third of way through the center of the aluminum. To make a panoramic pinhole, poke a second hole immediately adjacent to the first hole. The two holes should overlap slightly, to produce a long, narrow pinhole.

3

Poke a 1/4-inch hole in the bottom of the container with an awl. Tape the pinhole over the 1/4-inch opening with duct tape, checking to be sure that the panoramic pinhole is aligned with the opening.

4

Cut a 2-inch square of black construction paper, and tape the construction paper over the pinhole opening. Tape the paper at the top only, so that the paper can be flipped up and out of the way to make an exposure. This paper will serve as the shutter for the camera.

5

Trim a piece of grade 2 photographic paper to fit the lid of your container. Work in a completely dark room lit only by a safelight when handling the photographic paper. Tape the photographic paper to the lid of your container with masking tape, with the emulsion facing outward.

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The pinhole camera is the most basic type of camera design. Students, photography enthusiasts and hobbyists can easily build this type of camera using common household materials. By changing the shape of the pinhole, the shape of the resulting image will be affected, so building a panoramic pinhole camera is a simple variation on the classic pinhole camera design. With the right preparation and materials, you can build your own panoramic pinhole camera yourself in an afternoon.

Instructions

1

Lay down a sheet of newspaper to protect your working table from the black acrylic paint. Paint the empty container inside and out, including the lid. The black paint will prevent light reflections from interfering in the operation of your camera. Set the lid and container aside to dry for at least two hours.

2

Cut a 2-inch square piece of aluminum from the side of a clean soda can. Place the aluminum on a piece of cardboard, and smooth the aluminum flat. Poke a No. 10 sewing needle about a third of way through the center of the aluminum. To make a panoramic pinhole, poke a second hole immediately adjacent to the first hole. The two holes should overlap slightly, to produce a long, narrow pinhole.

3

Poke a 1/4-inch hole in the bottom of the container with an awl. Tape the pinhole over the 1/4-inch opening with duct tape, checking to be sure that the panoramic pinhole is aligned with the opening.

4

Cut a 2-inch square of black construction paper, and tape the construction paper over the pinhole opening. Tape the paper at the top only, so that the paper can be flipped up and out of the way to make an exposure. This paper will serve as the shutter for the camera.

5

Trim a piece of grade 2 photographic paper to fit the lid of your container. Work in a completely dark room lit only by a safelight when handling the photographic paper. Tape the photographic paper to the lid of your container with masking tape, with the emulsion facing outward.

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