How to make a pinhole camera

A pinhole camera is a simple camera that’s easy to make and experiment with at home. It’s essentially a light-proof box with a tiny hole, or aperture (a pinhole) in one side. Light passes through the aperture and projects an inverted image on the opposite side of the camera. Our featured Modern Creative, photographic artist Oliver Raymond-Barker, shows us how to make one.

This method is all about finding new ways to view your surroundings and getting to see how photography works (you won’t actually make a print).

Photographic artist Oliver Raymond-Barker How to make a pinhole camera

What you need

30cm Cardboard tube

Black gaffa tape (or similar)

Tracing paper

Black card (or similar)

Craft knife/ bread knife

Scissors

Bradawl/ Pin

How to make your pinhole camera

1. Take a 30cm cardboard tube and measure 10cm along from one end. Cut the tube carefully using a knife at the 10cm mark.

How to make a pinhole camera
2. Tape some tracing paper tightly over the end of the cut tube. Then tape the tube back together with the tracing paper inside.

How to make a pinhole camera
3. Cut a circle of thin black card slightly larger than the end of the tube and carefully make a small pinhole in the centre.

How to make a pinhole camera
4. Tape the circle of black card over the end of the tube that is closest to the tracing paper.

Photographic artist Oliver Raymond-Barker How to make a pinhole camera
5. Look through the tube whilst blocking out any light with cupped hands. It’s a great way to get a different perspective on the world!

Photographic artist Oliver RayHow to make a pinhole camera

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