Make a Pinhole Camera

Pinhole cameras are easy to make and fun to use! They work in exactly the same way as your eyes and real SLR cameras (cameras which use rolls of film). You will need: A box with four sides, a bottom and a lid (a shoebox would be best) A sheet of black sugar paper or a roll of tinfoil Sellotape Scissors A needle or drawing pin A sheet of tracing paper or piece of greaseproof paper First, you will need to make sure that no light can get into the box once the lid is on, so tape up any rips or joins. (Dont put the lid on yet though!) Next, youll need to cut two holes in opposite sides of the box so you can see right through it. Draw around a cup or mug to make the first hole. The second should be a large rectangle. (12cm x 8cm should be about the right size if youre using a shoe box.) Now cut out a square of sugar paper or tinfoil. Make sure its bigger than the circular hole and then tape it to the inside of the box so the hole is covered. Next, take your drawing pin or needle and very carefully make a small hole in the centre of the foil. You can ask an adult to help you with this. Finally, youll need to cut out a piece of tracing paper or greaseproof paper which is bigger than the rectangular hole in the other side of your box. Tape the paper to the inside of the box, making sure that it covers the hole. This will be your screen.

Once youve taped the lid onto the box, your pinhole camera will be ready to use. Point the tinfoil end of your camera towards something bright (the window is usually best) and take a look at the screen. Putting a coat or blanket over your head so that you are in the dark will help to make the image clearer.

The image you will see is upside down! Don't worry, this is perfectly normal. The pinhole camera works because light travels in straight lines. Light from the top of the tree passes through the pinhole and on to the screen. Light from the bottom of the tree also passes through the pinhole - and on to the screen. You can see from the diagram that the rays of light cross over - and so the image is formed upside down and back to front. Hints and tips Painting the inside of your box black might help the image to show up High quality tracing paper makes the best screen The bigger the pinhole, the brighter the image. But too big and the image will become fuzzy.