Photography
“Pinhole Perspectives”
Teacher: Josh Birnbaum
Kids made their own cameras out of recycled objects with pinhole shutters, which they used to take pictures using photosensitive paper that was developed in a traditional darkroom. The results can be dreamlike, surreal, and sometimes hauntingly beautiful. Unpredictable elements like light leaks, vignettes, curved views, and variable focus can lend the images a spontaneous element to the work — yet the kids can still learn to manipulate the images for constant improvement through positioning, exposure, development, and other factors.
Making a camera from the most basic (and cheap!) of materials introduced the kids to the fundamentals of photography and builds investment in an accessible process. Pinhole cameras work to deepen their appreciation of photography, science, and engineering; help them develop creative problem-solving skills; give them tangible experience with a historic process; and engage their imaginations through a very fun way to capture light through a tiny hole in a box.
