This Unit Teaches the Following Visual Communication Concepts

Graphic Arts Page 1 Pin-hole Cameras

Pin-hole Cameras: This unit teaches the following visual communication concepts:  Camera parts  Accurate measuring  Darkroom chemicals  Matt cutting techniques and safety  Presenting photos (drymounting)

Step 1: The camera must be light-tight to get a good picture. Build the lens assembly, as follows:  Cut 5 matt board pieces to 4 inches by 4 inches square.  Using black gaffer tape, line up 4 pieces end to end and tape along the matt board seams. See Figure 1.

Figure 1.

4" x 4" matt Black gaffer board squares tape over seams

 On the fifth piece, cut a hole in the center that is 1 inch square. See Figure 2.

Figure 2.

 Tape the fifth piece to the other four. Be sure to line up the seams. See Figure 3.

Figure 3. Graphic Arts Page 2 Pin-hole Cameras

 Now paint the back of your lens assembly (the side without tape) with flat black paint. Allow it to dry overnight.  While the lens assembly is drying, start the body assembly. See Step 2.  Fold the lens assembly to make a box and tape it along the seams using the black gaffer tape. See Figure 4.

Figure 4.

Step 2: The camera must be light-tight to get a good picture. Build the body assembly, as follows:  Cut 5 matt board pieces to 4 1/8 inches by 4 1/8 inches square.  Using black gaffer tape, line up 4 pieces end to end and tape along the matt board seams. See Figure 5. Note: This is the same process we used to build the lens assembly.

Figure 5.

4 1/8" x 4 1/8" Black gaffer matt board tape over squares seams

 Tape the fifth piece to the other four. Be sure to line up the seams. See Figure 6.

Figure 6. Graphic ArtsNow paint the back of your body assembly (the side without tape) with flat black paint. Allow it to dryPage 3 overnight. Pin-hole While Cameras the body assembly is drying, install the lens and shutter on the lens assembly. See Step 3.  Fold the body assembly to make a box and tape it along the seams using the black gaffer tape. See Figure 7.

Figure 7.

Step 3: Install the lens on the lens assembly as follows:  Cut a piece of aluminum foil to 1 1/2 inch square.  Center the foil over the hole in the lens assembly.  Using the gaffer tape, carefully tape the foil over the hole. Use tape around the whole perimeter of the foil. See Figure 8.

Figure 8. Figure 9. Aluminum Foil Shutter

Lens Assembly Lens Assembly Aluminum Foil

Step 4: Install the shutter on the lens assembly as follows:  Cut a piece of gaffer tape 2 inches x 1 1/2 inches.  Fold the tape onto itself so about 1/2 inch of the sticky surface is left.  Use the sticky side of the tape to connect the shutter over the aluminum foil. Note: Line up the bottom and sides of the tape with the aluminum foil. See Figure 9.