A pinhole camera is lensless camera whereas a tiny hole replaces the lens. An extremely small hole in a very thin material can focus light by confining all rays from a scene through a single point. The shutter of a pinhole camera usually consists of a hand operated flap of some light-proof material to cover and uncover the pinhole. Light passes through the hole, exposes the film, and an image is formed in the camera. Pinhole cameras require much longer exposure times than conventional cameras because of the small aperture; typical exposure times can range from 5 seconds to hours or days. Then, students take this film into the darkroom and develop it to create an image.

Figure 1: Light rays from an object pass through a small hole to form an image.

Students study composition techniques and learn the basics of photography through this activity. Also students learn metric measurement while constructing their camera from cardbord material.Pinhole cameras are usually handmade by the photographer for a particular purpose. In its simplest form, the photographic pinhole camera consists of a light-tight box with a pinhole in one end, and a piece of film or photographic paper wedged or taped into the other end. A flap of cardboard with a tape hinge can be used as a shutter. The pinhole is usually punched or drilled using a sewing needle or small diameter bit through a piece of tinfoil or thin aluminum or brass sheet. This piece is then taped to the inside of the light tight box behind a hole cut through the box. An oatmeal box can be made into an excellent pinhole camera.

Figure 2: Pinhole cameras

Pinhole Photographs
Photographs should be taken outside on a sunny day. The key to taking a great pinhole photography is to keep the camera and subject still during exposure.

Figure 3: Pinhole Photographs

Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day
On the last Sunday in April, also known as "World Pinhole Day", people all over the world take a single picture with a home made pinhole camera and submit it to the Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day website.