Camera Explorations

Camera Explorations

Alyssa S  //  Five things about me:
1. I'm a senior at Holland Christian
2. I like peanut butter with ice cream
3. I read books like most people eat candy.
4. Astronomy fascinates me.
5. I like jazz music.

May 17 / 6:08pm

weekend

This weekend I worked on two things: building a new camera and a bit of research.

My dad helped me with the camera- we cut a butter tub in half. With the curved film plane, it will hopefully create a cylindrical view on the picture. My dad helped me create a plan for an interchangeable pinhole. He also helped me paint the entire thing black to keep it lightproof. I also researched on special effects of pinhole camera: what I want to try is a curved film plane (see above camera), a "ghost" image, and also a multiple image (created by poking several holes in the camera). One more thing I looked at is what effect the pinhole and the length of the camera have on exposure time, image clarity, and depth of field. What happens is correlated to the f/number of a camera. This is calculated by the length of the camera divided by the diameter of the pinhole. The first camera I built (Altoid box) has a length of 48mm and diameter of .29mm This creates a f/number of 166 My next camera has measurements of 143mm and .5mm with an f/number of 286 The one I made this weekend is 83mm and .38mm making it f218.

PINHOLE SIZE:
exposure:as the hole decreases in size, less light gets in, therefore, exposure time needs to be longer
depth of field: increases with f/number (smaller hole gives a larger f/number and larger depth of field)
image sharpness: with larger holes, the depth is smaller, so it only focus on nearby objects. high f/numbers also can have diffraction and low f/numbers can have possible blurring

LENGTH OF CAMERA:
exposure: as the f/number increases, time needs to be longer, so as the length increases, exposure time does as well
depth of field: increases with f/number (larger camera length)
image sharpness: see above (larger length give larger f/numbers)

Filed under  //  camera   f/number   research  
Apr 28 / 6:22pm

Take Two...

Today, after taking several more failed pictures, I tried making a new camera. It is now bigger, has a larger focal length, has a bigger pinhole, and is painted black on the inside. Hopefully this works!
Here are the new specifications:

Picture_2

Filed under  //  camera   measurement   picture  
Apr 21 / 12:04pm

cleanup and camera construction

Today we cleaned up darkroom so we could work in there. The counter was wiped down, trash thrown out, floor swept, and clutter moved. We also had to relabel the chemicals and re-paper the door so no light will get in.

We also started making the cameras. I cut a hole out of the bottom of my box (Altoid's) to put a piece of aluminum there (it is easier to poke a hole in). I pounded down the edges (after I got a cut :D) and taped it all down. Tomorrow I'm poking the hole and then starting to take pictures!

Calculations

the specifications for the camera I'll be making

(download)

the darkroom and my camera

Filed under  //  camera   construction   measurement   pinhole  
Apr 18 / 7:30am

Let's start at the very beginning...a very good place to start

On Friday we learned about how the cameras are built and how the darkroom works.

The cameras are a lightproof box with a tiny hole in one of the sides. This hole allows only one ray of light through, o only ray of light reflecting each particle/place in the object you're photography enters, creating a projection of the object on your film. We can then develop this.

The darkroom is also lightproof. We have paper around the door to make sure no light enters while we're developing, but to see, we have a red light which won't ruin the black and white photos. To develop, we first put it in a solution of developer, a base. Once the picture is developed enough, we put it in a solution of acid to neutralize the base. After that, the photo must be set in another solution to keep the colors there- without this, the colors would fade over time. Then the photo must be rinsed in water that is continuously cycling to keep the water fresh. The actual developing process takes four minutes at the most and the rinse takes about 15-30 minutes.

Now that we know how this works, we'll hopefully be able to start making our cameras soon. :)

Filed under  //  camera   darkroom   pinhole