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A pinhole camera is a very interesting and different way to take pictures. Simply put it is a camera without a lens. Instead, it has a pinhole in it, hence the name. The fact that a pinhole camera is a basic form of photography and very inexpensive makes it a great way to introduce children to picture taking.

The pinhole camera is also known as “camera obscura” and “dark chamber”. Originally, the camera was a room with a hole in the opposite wall. Images were projected through the opening. This was used as a way to view solar eclipses and to study the laws of projection.

The way a pinhole camera works is very simple in theory. Light passes through the hole in the camera. A cone is formed and the image reflects off of the retina. The rays of light from each point work together to capture the desired image. The result is soft outlines and a unique picture you can treasure always.

Pinhole sizes can vary depending on what you prefer. The smaller hole you use, the better off you are, though. The best way to figure out what size of hole you need is to experiment with what works for you. The thing to keep in mind when you are making your pinhole is that the size of the hole determined the way your camera works and how long it will take.

There are many differences between pinhole and regular cameras. For one, the images are not as sharp on a pinhole camera. Secondly, a pinhole camera’s shutter is manually operated because of the lengthy times that it can take. Another difference is that pinhole cameras can complicate or even prevent snapping photos of moving objects. The biggest difference of all perhaps, is that you can make a pinhole camera with stuff that is just lying around the house. It can be constructed in various ways as long as you use some type of lightproof box.

Over the years, many people have pondered the abilities of a pinhole camera. In the sixteenth century, Leonardo da Vinci was credited for giving the pinhole camera the definition we know today. Sir David Brewster was said to be the first person to successfully take a picture using a pinhole camera in 1850.

Pinhole cameras can be a lot of fun if you give them a chance. They seem complicated but it is only a matter of opinion. Everybody should try it at least once before deciding they don’t like it.

You can learn how to make your own pinhole camera out of an oatmeal box. This is a fun project for all ages! The instructions are simple and it doesn’t take very long to make. This makes it the perfect rainy day job for children.

http://users.rcn.com/stewoody/ makecam.htm

For more information on pinhole cameras, be sure to visit my resources!

http://www.pinholeday.org/supp ort/faq.php

(This site offers instructions and information about pinholes in nineteen different languages.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P inhole_camera

http://www.pinhole.org/

http://www.pinhole.cz/en/pinho lecameras/whatis.html

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