Syllabus : Pinhole Camera
Photography
SSyll
CE 5437N 01 | Fall 2014
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Continuing Educ ation
Course I nformati on :
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Location: Terra Hall – 15 floor
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Dates: 2 Saturdays, Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 , 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Note:
Instructor Information:
Name: Addison Geary
Email: [email protected]
Email Policy: Contact anytime
Instructor Bio Addison Geary is a Philadelphia based commercial photographer with over 30 years experience. His clients
include corporations, magazines, ad agencies and design firms. When he is not working for clients or teaching photography
he works on personal projects. You can view some of his pinhole work here http://www.addisongeary.com/15612/pinhole/
Course Description:
An introduction to lensless photography. Take a break from the expensive, technology driven photography scene and get
back to basics. Forget about perfect lens, accurate viewfinders and electronic shutters and discover the world of pinhole
photography. A world of creative freedom where imagination and experimentation reward us with altered views of reality.
The simplest of all cameras, the pinhole provides an easy and alluring exercise in the fundamentals of both photography
and optics. You will be surprised and captivated by the simplicity of pinhole photography as well as the creative outlet it
provides.
Pre-requisites: None. Basic black and white darkroom technique and basic scanning /computer skills helpful.
Course Overview : On day one participants will make their own simple cameras using everyday objects such as
cardboard boxes and metal cans. Special attention will be given to making a good pinhole to produce the sharpest possible
image. Students will go into the field to shoot with their new cameras which will be loaded with photographic paper then
return to process the images in a traditional darkroom. Students will have the option of contact printing or scanning their
negatives. Day 2 will cover converting existing cameras for pinhole photography. Toy cameras such as the Holga or Diana,
vintage cameras like the Argus C3, the Russian Fed, Graphlex Speed Graphic or Polaroid pack cameras are good choices. If
you don’t want to use film another option is to mount a pinhole in a body cap that fits your DSLR. Feel free to email me to
discuss possible camera choices.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this course students will have an understanding of the basics of photography, how to construct a pinhole
camera, how to make the best possible pinhole. How to determine the proper exposure. How to output pinhole images
as prints or electronic files.
C O U R SE R E SO U R C E S
(Optional) Software: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Lightroom
(Optional)Textbooks; Pinhole Photography: From Historic Technique to Digital Application by Eric Renner ISBN-13: 9780240810478
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Additional Cours e Materials | Supplies
Day One, Box and Can Cameras: Bring a sturdy box with lid that can be made light tight or a can such as a
cookie, candy or potato chip tin. Round cameras will make distorted images, which can be cool, while box
cameras will yield a more normal perspective. Shallow boxes will produce wide-angle images while deeper boxes
will yield a more normal perspective. Quaker oatmeal boxes were the standard but they now have transparent
lids making them less than ideal cameras. Some Grit boxes still have paper lids that are better suited for pinhole
use. Empty 1 quart and 1 gallon paint cans work well and be purchased at most hardware stores. Bring in
several boxes or cans or both to ensure having at least one and hopefully more, suitable for a pinhole camera.
Another advantage to creating more than one camera is that you only get one exposure before you need to
return to the darkroom so multiple cameras will extend shooting in the field. Bring a watch with a second hand,
a stopwatch or smart phone with stopwatch feature to time your exposures. Metering can be done with a
handheld meter or the meter in your dslr. You may also just guesstimate your first exposure and adjust from
there. Bunji cords, d ring straps or even duct tape can be used to mount your camera to posts, poles, trees or
you can simply place your camera on the ground for a bugs eye view. Bring a refrigerator magnet to use as
shutters on can cameras or you can simply use a piece of electrical tape. Photographic enlarging paper to use as
paper negatives will be provided. Negatives may be contact printed or scanned.
Day 2, Converting Toy or Vintage Cameras, Pinhole Body Cap, or Commercially Made Pinhole Camera. Choose
at least one of the following. If you want to shoot pinhole with your DSLR bring an opaque body cap. You will be
drilling a hole in it so you may want to buy another. Bring in one or more toy or vintage cameras to convert to
pinhole use. It is often necessary to damage the original lens in the conversion process so bear that in mind
when selecting a camera. You will need to buy film for these cameras. If DIY is not your thing you may also
purchase a pinhole camera such as the Santa Barbara, Leonardo, Zero Image or any of the PinHolga’s. With the
exception of the PinHolga’s they are getting harder to buy new so check Amazon, Ebay and Craigslist, just make
sure it can be delivered in time for our second session. Depending on your camera choice we will be using
35mm, 120mm or 4x5 black and white film. Avoid 110 or 126 and 127 cameras. There is also the possibility of
using photographic paper in these cameras but you will be limited to one exposure. It is also possible to shoot
color film and have it processed at a local one hour photolab. You can use Fujifilm FP-100C (color) or Fujifilm
3000B (black and white) instant film If you will be using a Polaroid, pack film camera. Cameras with tripod
sockets are highly recommended. Bring a tripod to this class if you have one. Email me if you would to discuss
your options.
Optional: If you would like to purchase laser drilled pinholes visit The Pinhole Resource on line. A Set of 12
various sized pinholes is available for $44.00 plus shipping. They are in New Mexico so allow time for shipping. I
will elaborate more on the advantages of laser drilled pinholes during our first session.
H T T P :// W W W . P I N H O L E R E SO U R C E . C O M / I N D E X . P H P / AL L - P R O D U C T S / P I N H O L E - SE T - D E T AI L
C O U R SE A C T I V I T I E S
Con st ru c tin g p in h o le ca m era s
Shooting in the field
Processing and scanning negatives
2
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C O U R SE P O L I C I E S
Attendance + Participation
All students are expected to attend classes regularly and promptly, and for the duration of the scheduled instructional time.
Individual instructors will decide the optimum time for taking attendance and may penalize for habitual lateness of
absence. Repeated absences may result in a grade of "F" for the course.
Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing. Nonattendance does not constitute an official withdrawal.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES:
Academic Honesty/ Integrity Policy
Violations of academic integrity are considered to be acts of academic dishonesty and include (but are not limited to)
cheating, plagiarizing, fabrication, denying others access to information or material, and facilitating academic dishonesty,
and are subject to disciplinary action. To review the Academic Honesty/ Integrity Policy in its entirety, please visit:
http://cs.uarts.edu/ce/policies#academichonesty/integritypolicy
ACT 48 Activity Hours
To have ACT 48 Activity Hours for this course reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) you must
complete and return the CE Request for Activity Hours Submission Form to the UArts Continuing Studies Office and meet all
requirements outlined by the PDE.
Student Code of Conduct
It is the policy of the Division of Continuing Studies to provide a safe and healthy environment for
learning, personal growth and enjoyment. The well being of this community depends upon the good
judgment and considerate behavior of its members. Student status at The University of the Arts is not an
unconditional right, but a privilege subject to certain rules and expectations articulated in the Student Code
of Conduct. To review the Student Code of Conduct in its entirety, please visit:
http://cs.uarts.edu/uploads/media_items/student-code-of-conduct.original.pdf
G R A D I N G : (if applicable)
Your grade will be based on the following:
Component
Points
Written Assignments
Participation (incl Responses)
Artist Presentations
Final Portfolio + Statement
30%
30%
20%
20%
Total
100%
3
CE 54 37 N |
F A L L 2 01 4
Your grade will be calculated using the following scale:
Grade
Percentange Range
Grade Point
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
P
100 – 93%
92 – 90%
89 – 87%
86 – 83%
82 – 80%
79 – 77%
76 – 73%
72 – 70%
67 – 69%
63 – 66%
59% or less
Pass
4.0
3.67
3.33
3.0
2.67
2.33
2.0
1.67
1.33
1.0
0.0
-
SCHEDULE :
SESSION +
DATE
Session 1
10/04
Session 2
10/08
TOPIC
Box and Can
Cameras
Toy and Vintage
Camera Pinhole
Conversion
COURSEWORK
DUE
Syllabus Review
Making a pinhole camera
Making the pinhole aperture
Determining proper exposure for pinhole
Shooting in the field
Processing and scanning
Existing camera conversion
Making pinhole Aperture
Shooting in the field
Processing and scanning
4