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Features

PinPoint perspectives

By JACK ROWLAND
Published April 28, 2007

This photo of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, looking across the mouth of the bay toward Marin County, was made with a matchbox pinhole camera. The exposure time was about 5 seconds. Video: Watch how this photo was made
	[Times photo: Ted McLaren]

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Jack Rowland] This photo of a MINI Cooper was made using a 35mm matchbox pinhole camera. A tripod was used for the 4-second exposure. World Wide Pinhole Photography Day: April 29th Video: How to make a matchbox pinhole camera Gallery: Photos from the Times staff Worldwide Pinhole Day Website Build a 35mm Matchbox Pinhole Camera Pinhole Exposure Information Altoid tin pinhole camera information Oatmeal box pinhole camera information

Just about every professional photographer - and many a skilled amateur - has fielded this question: "What kind of camera do you use? It sure takes good pictures." 

But the camera is just an instrument; the style and vision come from the photographer. If you doubt it, consider what cameras made from things you probably have around the house - such as a matchbox, an aluminum can, some black tape and a roll of 35 mm film - can do.

Pinhole cameras, which use a piece of aluminum with a tiny hole to focus light on film, produce images with a dreamlike quality, almost like impressionist paintings.

Here are examples of what Times photographers did with their matchbox cameras, and information on how you can share your pinhole photos on our Web site.

Pinhole photographs have been made since the 1850s, but it wasn't until 2001 that the first Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day was held. Last year 2,267 pinhole photographs were displayed on the Web (www.pinholeday.org) by photographers in 60 countries.

This year, the event is Sunday. So, given how simple it is to make a pinhole camera, there's still time to participate.

[Last modified April 26, 2007, 15:36:04]