Pinhole Photography

Pinhole photography is described, with an emphasis on simple, homemade cameras and using developed-out, black-and-white silver gelatin enlarging paper as the detector. Some simple camera designs are considered. Strategies are reviewed for making a precise pinhole of the optimal size, and three methods are illustrated for measuring the size of a tiny pinhole—direct comparison with a pocket microscope, enlargement with a slide projector, and by projecting a laser pen through the pinhole and measuring the size of the resulting diffraction pattern. Basic darkroom procedures are outlined for developing and fixing the light-sensitive paper after exposure. Kitchen-chemistry alternatives are described, including coffee-based “caffenol” developer and salt stabilization instead of photographic fixer. Several possibilities are compared for making a final positive print from the in-camera exposure.