Home >> Science & Nature >> Science

How to Make a Pinhole Camera Out of Photo Paper

Pinhole cameras are based on the same principles of light and exposure as the first cameras ever built. It is a science project best suited to older children, teens or adults. The only difficult part of a pinhole camera is having the photo paper developed. Many typical film developers will not have the chemicals necessary to print your picture. The best bet is to call local camera and photography supply shops and ask them if they can print pictures from a light-exposed photo paper negative. If possible, use a dark room at a local university or other organization to develop your own photos.

Things You'll Need

Thin metal sheet
Needle
Sandpaper
Box
Black paint
Paint brush
Electrical tape
Light-sensitive photo paper

Instructions

- 1
  Poke the needle through the thin metal to create the camera's "lens." Sand the area around the hole to ensure the metal is flat.
- 2
  Paint the inside of a box with black paint to make it as dark as possible when closed. Use a hobby knife to cut a square smaller than the thin metal square in the side of the box. Cut this square so that it is in the center of the side, both horizontally and vertically.
- 3
  Affix the metal sheet to the box, inside the square opening. Ensure the pin hole is in the center of the side of the box. Temporarily cover the pinhole with a piece of dark-colored tape.
- 4
  Go into a dark bathroom or closet, and open the package of photo paper. Tape a piece of the paper to the inside of the box, centering it across from the pinhole. Close the paper package tightly, and close the box. You can now turn on the lights.
- 5
  Align the camera with the object you want to photograph. Remove the tape from the pinhole and expose the paper for 1 to 5 minutes, depending on your light. Bright light requires less exposure time than darkness. Test your lighting before hand if necessary with scrap pieces of photo paper.
- 6
  Re-cover the pinhole. Go back into the dark room and remove the photo paper. Store it in a dark envelope or box until you can take it to have it developed.

Science