How to Make a Foldable 8x10 Pinhole Camera ~ Enhance Photography Skill

This pinhole camera takes the classic home-made camera and gives it a foldable portability and a zoom lens with different focal lengths. Pinhole cameras need to be loaded, unloaded and developed in a dark room with black-and-white photo chemicals. The pinhole camera itself is made with household materials.

Instructions

Cut the cardboard into four sections. Two sections should be 7.5 inches wide, and two should be 9.5 inches wide. All four should be of equal lengths (about 10 to 11 inches). Set apart the top and bottom halves of the photo paper box. When held up vertically, one will be the front of your pinhole camera and one will be the back. The zoom will stretch between the two box halves.

Use the knife to score parallel, horizontal lines about inch apart on each piece of cardboard. (You will score these lines along the 7 or 9.5 inch width, not the length.) Make as many scored lines as you need to fill each piece. Also, after you finish your first piece of cardboard, line it up with the second one so all the scored lines meet as closely as possible.

Take the first two pieces of cardboard (one 7.5 inches wide, one 9.5 inches wide) and place them at a 90-degree angle to form a corner. Line up the scored marks so they meet. Glue a strip of black cloth vertically along the corner, leaving a tiny gap between the pieces of cardboard.

Repeat this with the other pieces of cardboard until all four fit together in a square with black cloth at each seam. You should have a tall square 7.5 inches wide on one side and 9.5 inches wide on the other side. Make sure all the scored lines meet each other at the seams.

Begin folding the zoom accordion into itself. Fold the first row of cardboard into the square on all sides. Then fold the second row back out away from the box. Continue alternating until the accordion is complete and can be folded into itself.

Use the knife to cut a one-inch square window in the exact center of the 8x10 photo paper box lid.

Paint both the lid and the bottom of the box black. Coat it well with paint inside and out.

Use the needle to make a pinhole in the center on the aluminum square. The tip of the needle should barely go through the aluminum. The smaller and cleaner the hole, the cleaner and sharper your photos will be.

Use black tape to secure the aluminum to the back of the one-inch window. The pinhole should be in the center of the window.

Using the extra black cardboard, cut two strips each one inch wide. Leave one strip 12 inches long. Cut the second strip in half. Place each of the shorter strips vertically on either side of the window. Allow a two-inch gap in the center and glue either end securely.

Slide the 12-inch strip through the gaps, so it slides easily back and forth to cover and uncover the pinhole window. This is your shutter. Always leave it closed unless making a photo.

Place a thick line of glue (Super Glue or another strong glue is preferred) around the top row of the zoom accordion. Press it firmly into the lid. It should just fit with about a half-inch margin. Hold firmly until it will set itself.

Load your pinhole camera in the darkroom. To load the pinhole camera, place a sheet of 8x10 photo paper into the bottom of the photo paper box. Use double-sided tape to secure it. The glossy, or emulsion, side should face out.

To close your pinhole camera, fit the bottom of the accordion into the bottom of the photo box. Use black duct tape around the outside to secure the seam. Be sure no light can get in.

Set the camera up on its shortest side. Make sure the shutter is covered.

Place the camera in front of your subject. Daylight is best. Adjust your zoom by straightening or folding the zoom accordion. You may the lid of the second photo paper box to hold the pinhole camera secure. Use wood blocks or something similar between the front of the camera and the lid if any space is left.

When you have the camera where you want it, carefully move the shutter to reveal the pinhole. Expose the photo paper about 30 seconds.

Slide the shutter back to close it. Take the camera back to the darkroom to develop. You will need to cut the tape to open your camera and re-tape it each time you use it.