Pinhole Photography
I broke out my pinhole camera lens for my dSLR over the weekend and walked the house looking for fun things to photograph with it. Luckily I had some inspiration from @bambuka and had a few handy subjects.
This Nepalese mask is hanging on the wall by my desk. It was a gift from a Nepalese friend who I once hired (and is now working as a java developer). His wife brought it when he was finally able to bring her over from Nepal, and I really like it.
Also hanging on my wall, right above the mask, is a 3D puzzle that my son and I once put together.
The pinhole 'lens' that I use is a tiny hole with essentially a focussed magnifying lens over it (it was once part of a VR headset that I ripped apart to put over the pinhole). This plastic lens may be cheating the pinhole, but it really does do a good job of making the image a little more crisp and sharp. The biggest issue it has is one of light. The aperture is tiny, and needs either a lot of light (sunlight is good) or a long exposure time. This dude apparently got tired of waiting for the long exposure time needed for his picture.
I have a small statuette of a red dragon that is a particular favourite of mine. It often serves as a photography subject or prop, and I felt it was perfect for this particular pinhole experiment.
What I really enjoy with this pinhole lens (and with my other "crappy cameras" that I so love to use) is to use them to make actually good photos. I do believe that any camera, and any lens, can be used to make a good photograph in the hands of a patient and willing photographer. With that in mind I opted to set up the red dragon with some treasure and in a setting more suited to dark and "ready to burn your face off".
You can see the lightsource emanating from behind the dragon; there is either the cave opening back there, with the dragon having just come home with some new treasure, or there is an adventurer back there with a torch who is about to be on the receiving end of a whomping. Don't believe me? Let's take a closer look. This dragon is unimpressed.
I attached my macro extension tubes to the camera and lens. Essentially, this acts as a "zoom" by increasing the length between the lens and the sensor. This let me get close to the dragon's face without moving the camera itself any closer.
Yep, he looks ticked.
One last picture. Several years ago I started whittling, or carving small wood things. I made these two awhile back without really knowing what I wanted to do with them. I'm thinking I might make them wine-bottle-stoppers or put them on top of some walking sticks I've also begun. I'm not sure quite yet.
I should have put a light source behind these two to reduce the shadow, but it was getting late last night and I was ready for bed. The key lesson is that pinhole photography requires a lot of light or a very long exposure time.
(c) All images and photographs, unless otherwise specified, are created and owned by me.
(c) Victor Wiebe
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I got no experience with pinhole and I guess I am not that much the experimenting type. I've seen people develop a style out of it.
Is that a broker buying igloos?
Haha, no, not a broker, just some dude who doesn't know where he wants to be. I started carving that when I was on a Conference Call That Just Wouldn't End. It was originally just some knicks and cuts, then it eventually began to take a shape. It could have very well just turned into a Stick, too.
I've never tried pinhole photography, yours certainly looks good, interesting objects you have there!
Thank you! This pinholing is pretty new to me and I'm still trying to figure it out, but I'm certainly having fun with it. I really want to try some portraits with it.
I never knew that much about pinhole photography, you really put it to good use. I love your little dragon, it really does look like he has just got back to the cave! There is something I quite like about the long shadows in the last photo, it gives it a sense of finality.
Thanks for the compliments! I'm still trying to figure out how to best use this little lens. Photography is all about lighting, even moreso with this pinhole. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
You captured them well!
Thank you!
You are very inventive WW. Nice work with the pin hole photography.
Thanks! I have a few more ideas yet to try, too, but want to work a little more on mastering this first.
Wow! How cool. I've actually heard of the technique but never really experienced it.
I have a cousin that carves for relaxation in the evenings. He has a walking stick that has been in the works for at least 5 years. The very top looks a lot like your example on the left in the photo. It's what I thought of when I saw yours...
Haha, yeah, the walking sticks I have I've had for quite some time, too. I'd love to be able to carve designs into them, but am not happy enough with my skills yet to do so, and I don't want to ruin them, so they end up just sitting there. Maybe I'll just let them stay smooth and finish them that way.
So interesting! What a different effect that is. I was trying to look at the pictures on my phone last night but I had to wait to see them better when I could get to the computer. I love the mysterious look. And your little carvings are so cute.
I love dark, almost noir, photos. This little lens is really great for that, since the result is a little fuzzy to begin, and it lets in just a little light.
Thanks for stopping by!
You must be a bundle of energy from the time you wake up until you fall asleep in bed at night. And now we learn that you also have time to WHITTLE? Are you serious??? LOL.😂
Kidding aside, these photos are really cool, but I'd like to see them taken with your homemade pinhole camera!
Haha, maybe not a bundle of energy, but my mind is always running. And I never claimed to be good at whittling! But it's fun. 😃
Oh come on! You did great on those two whittled pieces you displayed! I think about the only thing I've ever whittled was an arrow or two, with no arrowhead, just whittled arrows, (sticks really), whittled to a point at the end of them, lol.
Beautiful mask.
I like the composition with the dragon.
I used to do that with my pastic soldiers set
Thanks! I do love that mask, even moreso because it comes with an emotionally positive story. It was years ago, but I still keep in touch with the fellow who gave it to me.
Hello @wwwiebe,
Pleasantly impressed by the good photos they show us. I really liked them.
I hope you are very successful in the contest.
Thank you!
The lighting is pretty well done in the dragon with his treasure. Looks pretty cool!
Thank you very much! What's a dragon without its treasure, right?
Everyone needs something to protect :)
The red dragon is my favourite, the model plane second (love the shadows)
Thanks! The dragon was a gift from my daughter, so it's a favourite of mine too. 😃
I love you shots! Thanks for sharing this with us ! Have a great day!
Thanks for stopping by!
Sending some PHC support. Very interesting what the pinhole lens does to the shots. I guess keep the hands away from the gold, it looks well-protected.
That dragon does look pretty angry, doesn't he? Thanks for stopping by!
Mask from Nepal has amazing features, your magic little dragon must have been fun to work around, nice entry showing what is capable with some time, thinking process through to obtain something different.
Well done Victor, good luck in this long running contest.
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Thank you! I'm still thinking of improvements, too. One step at a time.
One young father over here has photographed his sons toys, adding a flair to action photography, entertaining his and his sons photographic skills. Have a great day @wwwiebe
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Interesting technique! It's amazing all the different tricks of the photography trade that there are.
Quite right! It's definitely not a 'one stop shop' trade.
If only I knew a tiny fraction of what you know about cameras! Love that first dragon shot. And lucky you with that Nepalese piece!
Thanks! Yes, that mask is definitely a prized possession of mine, for both it's awesomeness and for it being such a thoughtful gift.
I love those objects that you photographed, friend @wwwiebe
They are very striking and we are not used to seeing them in our houses. Beautiful culture.
Thank you very much!
That mask is gorgeous!
It really is. It was such an unexpected surprise, too.
Those are cool photos. 👏
Thank you!
Love these shots @wwwiebe 😀 That mask you received from your friend is amazing! Fun projects
Thank you! I love being able to experiment like this. It's a great way to pass the time. 😃
Successful experiment and excellent result Victor. I have not tried using glasses with a pinhole yet. They sharpen the image. but not to the extent that conventional lenses. I'll have to try, although I'm not sure yet :-)
The dragon, mask and figures are magnificent and you gave me one idea with the cave. I'll have to try)
Yep, it's that plastic lens that focusses the light. I have an un-adultered pinhole I need to work with a little more too. I think another side by side comparison would be fun. Thanks for coming by! Definitely looking forward to seeing what you come up with. 😀
Today I want to buy a remote control for the camera. 30 seconds of exposure is not enough for a pinhole. I want to try it for a night shot.
It is necessary to accumulate experience. I have not come close to the quality of the pinhole yet :)
That's a great idea! Have you seen the android app rccdroid? It has some capabilities to let a phone act as a wired remote control. It chews up the camera's battery, though.
That's it ... I already bought a remote control for myself and even tried it. It works well. It's time to go to night testing :)
That's awesome! I can't wait to see the results! (they might even be up by now - I'm catching up today!)
The night experience has not taken place yet, but I hope for the night today and the absence of my laziness at this time - Lol
How cool, Victor~!!! You always have all the fun!
Upped and reposted
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Thank you! I need to amuse myself somehow! 😂
I fear you will not run out of things!
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Good to see you are having fun making new experiments. ;-) I like the most the one with the dragon and the coins.
Thanks! It's a lot of fun. That dragon is a mainstay in my prop photography, too 😃
Wonderful photos! The only time I experimented with a pinhole camera was during a solar eclipse, but I didn't have very good results. You did a great job with these! 😃
Thank you! I'm considering putting together a few different lenses with different apertures. I wonder just how tiny I could make one.
Great photos!!
Thank you!
Looks like you are having fun with your camera! Me too! I love experimenting with things and photography is my latest passion! Thanks for sharing - I never even heard of a pin hole lens before!
Thanks! It really is a lot of fun. It really is just a tiny hole (hence 'pin'hole) instead of glass. I made one with my daughter out of a round Quakers oatmeal container once, years ago, and even developed the film. That was awesome fun too. Digital camera is easier. 😄
Oh that does sound like fun - fun to experiment with!
With pinhole photography the possibilities are endless. A little imagination can go a very long way. Cheers!
Thanks! And yes, you're absolutely correct. It's all just optics! Thanks for stopping by!