A pinhole camera is a very simple optical capture device in the shape of a closed box or chamber, in my case also a closed beer can. In one of the sides, there is a small hole, which, via the rectangular production of light, creates an image of the outside space on the opposite side of the box. So a piece of photographic paper, according to the size of the pinhole has to be put inside and the glossy side of the paper should face the hole. Once in the box/beer can, it should have no other contact with light, but when the hole was open.
As the camera has a small aperture, in other words, very little light can go through it, it can be a prevention from capturing moving objects and in bad light conditions, exposure can take hours instead of a few seconds it usually takes. The photographs also are all extremely wide angle, this explains why the edges are less exposed to the rays of light reach the centre of the negative quicker.
These first two images were taken with the beer can, the distortion on the edged caused by the round shape of a beer can are very noticeable, however, an illusion of an endless and edgeless corridors and an inexistent sky adds up to the depth (literally, how far it seems to go) of the image, justifying the fact that I did not invert them and left it negative. The first image on the top left was the best out of all of them, not only for its sharpness but also for the most precise duration of exposure, which I reckon was 10 seconds. I wasn’t so careful with the top right image, showing why it is quite blurry and not well exposed, but after all, this was just an experiment/workshop to learn new skills and types of photography.
These second two images were then taken in the pinhole box. Where very visibly was exposed to more light due to the not so chambered box made out of wood, also again taking into consideration it was my first time doing them after getting used to the pinhole can. As I had to scan them to add onto the website, I decided for myself that I would not retouch them and leave it just like how it looks on paper. If you change the angle you are looking at the computer screen you might be able to notice more details. Those faded fine points are a great element of the work carrying on with the idea of a very soulless space which contrasts with what the school really is or is supposed to be like. The areas where the images are taken are normally overflowing with people, creating the question if the place becomes fuller or emptier when the people are there.
the cameras ↓
A-Level Photography 