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How to Build a Toy Camera

Building a toy camera is a fun project that comes with the benefits of learning more about the nature of light and the basic elements of photography. A simple camera, called a pinhole camera, can be made with inexpensive items, most of which will be readily found around the house. The image is made with a small hole rather than a lens as is used in regular cameras. Starting from scratch, you can have a can-style pinhole camera built and ready to take pictures in about one hour.

Things You'll Need

One cylindrical oatmeal can with snap-on lid
Black flat paint
Black plumbers' tape
Size 10 sewing needle
Stiff black cardboard
Red light bulb, 30 watts or less
Photo paper or black-and-white film
Scissors
Box cutter or craft knife

Instructions

- 1
  Measure and cut the oatmeal can to be five to six inches in length. Make sure the cut is even so that the lid, when attached, will be parallel to the base of the can.
- 2
  Give all surfaces of the inside of the can two coats of black paint. Seal any joints inside the can with the black plumbers' tape to ensure that no light can seep into the can. Cut a 1/2-inch square out of the middle of the lid and paint both inside and outside surfaces of the lid with two coats of black paint.
- 3
  Cut a one-inch square out of the black cardboard. In the middle of the square, carefully insert the size 10 sewing needle until it is halfway up the shaft. Make a smooth hole by twisting the needle two or three times. A smooth hole will give a clear edge to your pictures.
- 4
  Position the cardboard square on the lid so that the pinhole is in the center of the 1/2-inch cutout. Fix the cardboard in place with the black tape, taking care to seal the edges so that it blocks out any light.
- 5
  Make a shutter to cover the pinhole. Cut a one inch by three inch piece out of the cardboard. Cut another two pieces about 1/4 inch by 1-1/2 inches. On the outside of the lid, tape one of the 1/4-inch pieces above the pinhole and the other one below the pinhole. Slide the one inch by three inch piece of cardboard under the the two 1/4-inch pieces so that it covers the pinhole. Slide to expose the pinhole when you want to take a picture.
- 6
  Find a room or closet that is as close to total darkness as possible. Install your red light bulb. Enter this room to cut a two inch by three inch piece of photo paper or black-and-white film. Center the piece of film or paper onto the inside base of the can with the emulsion side (shiny side) facing the pinhole. Attach with black tape. Place the lid securely onto the camera body with the shutter covering the pinhole.
- 7
  Take a picture by pointing the pinhole at the object to be photographed. Secure the camera in a steady position and slide open the shutter. Exposure time is two to four seconds when using film and anywhere from two to eight minutes for photo paper. Take the film or paper to a darkroom to process the photograph.

Educational Toys