PinPoint perspectives

By JACK ROWLAND
Published April 28, 2007

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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.