Pinhole Camera
Overview: A pinhole camera is a simple camera without a lens, but has a tiny aperture (the pinhole) instead. It is effectively a light-proof box or tube with a small hole in one side. Light from a scene passes through the pinhole and projects an image on a screen in the box or tube.
Supplies: Empty Pringles can, diffuse paper (ideally press and seal wrap, but wax paper and parchment paper also work), scissors or exacto knife, push pin or other sharp pointed instrument, tape, black paper (optional), wrapping paper (optional)
Objectives: What does the image look like on the screen? Can you see an image with room light? What do outside images look like at different distances? Why?
Construction:
- Use the push pin or other sharp pointed instrument to poke a hole in the center of the metal end of the Pringles can.
- Draw a line around the circumference of the tube roughly 2-3 inches above the metal end. Make sure the line is even all the way around the can.
- Use the scissors or exacto knife to cut the tube at the line.
- At this point you can cut a piece of the optional black paper and wrap it on the inside of the short end of the can (the side with the metal end) and tape it in place
- Cut a square of your diffuse paper and place it over the open end of the short end of the can (the side with the metal end). If using press and seal, it will stick itself to the can. If using wax paper or parchment paper, tape the paper to the can. Make sure the diffuse paper is tight across the can.
- Place the side of the can that was cut off back in place and tape the can back together.
- At this point the camera is complete, but wrapping the tube in wrapping paper makes it look more attractive
How to run the demo:
- Head to a window or outside
- Place the open end of the can up to your eye and focus on the screen
- Point the camera at anything
- If you are having trouble creating an image, the pinhole may need to be enlarged
What’s Happening? Unlike a lens, a pinhole can focus light coming from any distance. Because it’s such a small opening, it only allows light to come through in one place, and in only one direction from any particular source.
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