Michael Heider

Lion Bridge, Lake Park, Milwaukee, WI

What is Pinhole Photography?

      All cameras, from the cheapest disposable, to the latest Nikon, share common attributes. They are light tight boxes with a means for controlling the entry of light onto a photo (light) sensitive surface.

      Most cameras use a lens to focus light onto the surface. A pinhole camera does not use a glass lens. Instead it has a very tiny opening in a piece of metal, sometimes aluminum foil, usually brass or silver. This small opening disperses the light onto the photo sensitive material.

     Anything can be made light-tight can be made into a pinhole camera. Paint cans and oatmeal boxes are common for science classes or scout projects. In one case I know of, a cowboy boot was made into a camera. If it can be made light-tight, it can make a picture.    

     I use a camera manufactured by Zernike Au of Hong Kong. It is made of wood and uses standard 120 roll film. The shutter is a sliding wooden bar held in place by screws. On a bright, sunny day an exposure takes 6-7 seconds.

Star Magnolia, Kew Gardens, UK

Moss Rock, Northern Kettle Moraine, WI

Why Pinhole?

      It’s not precise. There is no viewfinder. Accidents happen. Exposure times are bit of a guess. Every good picture has an element of surprise. The tiny pinhole aperture means an almost infinite depth of field. Everything is in focus, near and far.

       And best of all, in these times, when everything is digitally replicated with

absolute accuracy, it feels good to unscrew the “shutter", stand back and count “a thousand one, a thousand two...” and look at the world. It’s different every time.