14/02/2022 | Pinhole Camera Workshop
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For photography, I started with Gemma's workshop on pinhole photography, which I found to be completely fascinating and one of my favourite workshops so far.
We started with learning what pinhole photography is and how it relates back to the origin of photography as a medium. Cutting a pin sized hole and having the image of the world on the opposite side projected onto the surface is the aim. To do this we did a simple process.
Making of the pinhole Camera
We used a small black cylinder with an openable top. With this we used a hole cutting pliers to make a small incision on the wall of the camera.
Next we used a needle to drill a hole onto a small brass surface.
Using tape, we attached the incised brass surface onto the inside of the camera, paying close attention that the hole matches up with the hole of the camera.
Once this is done, cover up the hole with more tape, ensuring it is dark inside the camera.
Now you have to take a light sensitive surface and place it on the inside of the camera, aligned so the hole faces it. This will be your photo
Go to what you want to photograph and whip off the tape on the outside so the light goes through the pinhole. Depending on the light levels, you can expect to wait between 10 seconds -> 2 minutes for an image to appear when you go to develop it.
Gemma demonstrating pinhole photography with a board over an open door with a small pinhole, light being projected onto a page
The construction of the camera
A student in the morning class construction her own camera using 2 cardboard boxes, paper for a screen, and a magnifying glass. It was incredibly cool to use
The first scan of my finished third photo. Visually wet from the developer but I found that to look cool.
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My illustrious photoshoot location. I thought the swirls of the bike rack would reflect very well in a pinhole camera photo. I also believed my theme of growth in the transgender experience could be reflected in the swirling spiralling effect the final product could produce.
The final product was something I am incredibly proud of because it perfectly reflects what I find cool in photography. I have a tendency to be drawn to darker photos that have a gritty aspect to their aesthetic value.
In my opinion, the first 10 second long exposure time photo reflects the downward spiral idea the most effectively with its motion blur like draw right into the darkness. However, the 25 seconds photo is great too... mainly because it features my friends holding hands and getting to collaborate with my friends even a little bit made me happy.
The pinhole workshop really woke something in me to engage with photography more. The satisfaction of placing the photo in the developer and getting back a product I can be proud of was so rewarding in a way I haven't felt with the other electives. Its funny to me to have such a feeling towards a picture of a bike rack but its true.