National Gallery of Canada
Make a Pinhole Camera
Introduce your class to photography by asking them to construct their own pinhole cameras. After putting together their own devices, pupils take and develop pictures and analyze the results. The plan provides step-by-step instructions...
Curated OER
Focus on the Art of Photography with Photography Lesson Plans
Students explore the world around them through the lens of a camera with these photography lesson plans.
Curated OER
Light
Students explore light. In this light wave physics instructional activity, students construct periscopes, kaleidoscopes, color wheels, and pinhole cameras. Students observe and record characteristics of light demonstrated through the...
Curated OER
Pictures Please: Traveling Light
Students investigate how light travels. In this optic science lesson plan, students discover that light travels in a straight line through a laser pointer demonstration. Students also study how pinhole cameras work by considering how...
Curated OER
W. Eugene Smith: Photojournalism and Compassion
Students examine the work of the photojournalist W. Eugene Smith. They analyze photo-essays by Smith, construct a pinhole camera, and create their own photo-essay.
Curated OER
Taking Picture Using a Pinhole Camera
Ninth graders produce a lithographic negative from a pinhole camera and solve problems if light leaks appear on the negative. They are able to describe and use lab safety procedures presented in class.
Curated OER
Make a Pinhole Camera
Learners explore the ability of light to project images by making and using a pinhole camera.
Curated OER
Making a Pinhole Camera #2
Students make a pinhole camera and see the effects that light travelling in straight lines have on images.
Curated OER
Making a Pinhole Camera #1
Young scholars make a pinhole camera and see the effects of light travelling in straight lines have on images.
Curated OER
Pinhole Camera
Ninth graders construct a pinhole camera using the materials provided. They are able to describe how light behaves in the process of image formation in a pinhole camera with 100% accuracy.
Curated OER
Creating Pinhole Prints
Ninth graders produce an image from a negative created with a pinhole camera using the provided materials and create a test strip in 5 second increments to determine the exposure time for a final print.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Digital Pinhole Camera
If you sit under a leafy tree on a sunny day, you may notice spots of sunlight on the ground from light passing through spaces between the leaves. Try putting a piece of cardboard on the ground and examining the spots of light on the...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Pinholes, Light and Aperture Size
Pinhole cameras are not a thing of the past. Even compared to all of the latest technology, a pinhole camera still gets beautiful results. Find out how this very simple aperture design works to control the way light enters the lens of...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Photography: Past to Present
In the lesson, students will create and use a pinhole camera to take a picture and then develop the negative in a darkroom. They will use photo software to change their negative image into a positive one.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Create a Pinhole Camera
In this activity, students construct their own pinhole camera to observe the behavior of light.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Simple Pinhole Camera
Try changing the aperture in the pinhole camera simulation below and taking an image. After experimenting with it for a while, answer the questions below.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Circle of Confusion Diagram
Understand the diagram we have created to calculate the radius of a circle of confusion.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Circle of Confusion Calculation
Understand how we can calculate the radius of a circle of confusion
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Pringles Pinhole
Simple directions to make a pinhole camera from a pringles can! Try this experiment. You'll be surprised at what you find.
Other
Personal Site: Oatmeal Box Pinhole Photography
Have you ever thought about making a pinhole camera from an oatmeal box? This fascinating personal site gives directions, with photo examples.
Science4Fun
Science4 Fun: Camera
Take a look at the history of cameras from the first pinhole camera in the 11th century to the modern day digital camera.