Pinhole

Ok. So, yesterday I wished you Happy International Pinhole Photography Day. I may have been in fact a touch overexcited. Turns out that the real event, technically called World Pinhole Photography Day, which usually falls on the last Sunday in April, has been extended to a week, namely the week of April 23-May 1 this year. For instructions on how to participate, see this link.

In preparation for the great day, a few of us met up yesterday to have some pinhole fun, and create our own pinhole lenses, using a body cap with a hole drilled into it, a pinhole taped onto the inside, and then a clear UV filter stuck to the front to prevent any dust getting inside the camera body.

I was a wuss and bought the Lensbaby pinhole/zoneplate optic in preparation, as I was loath to give up any precious body caps. But I did watch a bunch of other pinholes get made.

Seems like the smaller the pinhole, the sharper the image. Not sure if that's totally accurate. Lensbaby says their pinhole is f/177.

Lensbaby pinhole, f/177, 50mm, ISO 200, 1.6 seconds on a tripod.

 If you're at all serious about pinhole photography, a tripod is a must. Exposure times are often many seconds long. Also, it will make you want to clean your sensor. Any tiny speck of dust that's on there will be visible. These images required a bit of spot cleaning in Lightroom.

The long exposure times mean you can do some fun stuff with your models, as soon as you throw out the idea that anything is going to be sharp. Sharp is for other lenses, not for pinhole. But motion is fun.

Lensbaby pinhole, f/177, 50mm, ISO 320, 8 seconds. 

Lensbaby pinhole, f/177, 50mm, ISO 320, 10 seconds.

Lensbaby pinhole, f/177, 50mm, ISO 640, 10 seconds

 The zoneplate function is also fun. It makes everything glow. Also, not sharp. Forget about sharp!

Lensbaby zoneplate, f/19, 50mm, ISO 1000, 1/8s. 

It was great. I felt instantly creative in a childlike way again. If you've tried any pinhole photography, I'd love to see your images. And if you feel inspired to make your own pinhole, there are tons of tutorials on the web.

Happy Early World Pinhole Photography Day!