CK Pinhole Photography Resources and Links
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Being a photographer who is passionate about pinhole photography, I wanted to create a complete all-in-one internet resource that offers information for the beginner, amateur and professional pinhole photographer. I hope you find this information helpful whatever your pinhole interests are.
People sometimes ask why I like pinhole photography so much and I say, "It's similar to growing orchids, once you start doing it and realize how rewarding it is, the more you want to do it. The joy of making your own camera, then creating an image with just a tiny pinhole and some light sensitive material, seems like magic every time you do it. I hope you find this information helpful in creating your own pinhole cameras and photos. As time permits, I will updating this page with new information and information. I also plan to feature a new pinhole photographers every month, so please check back for those. In the meantime, I would suggest browsing through some of the wonderful pinhole photo galleries on the sites of the photographers I have listed below. If you're a photographer or company that would like to see your name/company listed below feel free to contact me using the form below.
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| Zone Plate Photography | |
| Another thing I like about the art and science of photography, is that there are so many different ways you can create an image. Zone plates and megapinhole are just another way that you can experiment and explore creating images without a lens.
A zone plate is a device used to focus light. Unlike lenses however, zone plates use diffraction instead of refraction. Created by Augustin-Jean Fresnel, they are sometimes called Fresnel zone plates in his honor. The zone plate's focusing ability is an extension of the Arago spot phenomenon caused by diffraction from an opaque disc. A zone plate consists of a set of radially symmetric rings, known as Fresnel zones, |
Links: Whiz Kid Technomagic Zone Plate Designer - (An Online tool for designing and creating your own zone plates) |
| Pinhole Materials and Supplies you may Need To Make Your Own Homemade Pinhole Camera |
| My book (Pinhole Cameras: A Do-It-Yourself Guide) which is a great resource Film recommendations for pinhole photography (Kodak, Fuji, Ilford) - I like using Fuji Velvia 50, 100, Fuji Acros 100 & Ilford Delta 100 and 400 - 35mm & 120 films Photographic paper (I like using Ilford fiber base papers myself) but resin coated (RC) papers are cheaper and take less time to wash Needles - I recommend using acupuncture needles or micro drill bits Seirin America Acupuncture Needles worked great too (0.12mm to .03mm) Pinhole Shutters (8Banners Turret Shutter, 8 Banners T-Shutter, Zero Image) Cable Releases (Gepe) - I recommend the German made cloth covered with lock types Bubble Levels - (Acratech, Hakuba Double Bubble Level, Bullseye Bubble Level) Tripods (Bogen, Bilora, Gitzo) Opaque Black Paper Photo Tape (Permacel, 3M, Scotch) Flat Black Spray Paint - I use Rust-Oleum flat black spray paint Brass Sheet Metal - I recommend using .003 brass shim stock to drill your pinhole into Polaroid Backs Darkroom Chemicals & Supplies Light tight Changing Bag Pinhole Calculators Tiny/small micro mascot flat pivot drill bits .004-.050" - You can read more about these bits on my pinhole book page |
| Darkroom Materials List |
| Safelight Jr. - Affordable and it does the job for small darkroom needs. Dektol Developer - For photographic paper developing Diafine Developer - For photographic paper developing Kodak Rapid Fixer - For Photographic paper and film developing Processing Trays - (5x7 and 8x10 Sizes) Orbit Bath - used to neutralize chemicals in negative and print processing, reducinging wash time to 5 minutes Photoflow |
[ CK ] Homemade and Found Object Pinhole (Lensless) Cameras
Below is a gallery/menu of purchased and homemade (DIY) cameras I currently have webpages for. Each page will give you details about the cameras as well as sample photos. I hope to grow this gallery in the future, so please check back for updates and revisions.
 SPAMERA |
 Ansco 6x9 |
 OM-1 Pinhole |
 PinHolga |
 MintEclipse |
 MexiCanon |
 MintyCam |
 Ansco Beast |
 Starbucks |
 Pie Tin Pinhole |
 Coffee Can |
 Beer Canera |
 Zeroimage 6x12 |
 Lunch Box Pin |
 Triptych Cam |
 Cigar Box 1 |
 Cigar Box 2 |
 Cigar Box 3 |
 Cigar Box 4 |
 5-Pinhole |
Now that we all live in an digital age where many of us use our camera phones to take photos, I find it refreshing to put away all the electronics and go back to a creative process that encourages us to slow down and look at the world with an analog perspective. There is something very rewarding about making your own camera that you then can go an create art with. It is a creative passage that you can only understand until you actually do it yourself. And I know there are many of you out there thinking, "I should try that someday"... why not have that day be today? Have fun whatever you do. -Chris
