Have you ever wanted to capture the passage of time with just a few simple materials? With a solargraph pinhole camera, you can photograph the sun’s journey across the sky over days, weeks, or even months! This fascinating project allows you to create a unique image that shows the sun’s arc from sunrise to sunset throughout the year.
What You’ll Need
Before you start, gather these materials:
A large empty, clean tall aluminum can. (Arizona Tea cans are my go to.)
Sheet of black construction paper.
Can opener, scissors, and a bobby pin.
Some gaffer tape, electrical tape and cable ties.
Sheet of 5x7 photographic paper.
Constructing Your Solargraph Camera
Here’s a step-by-step guide to building your solargraph camera:
Probably goes without saying, but clean and dry your can.
Cut your construction paper into a cross and fold down around the top of your can. Wrap it with the gaffer tape, but don’t let the tape stick to the can. This part needs to be easily removed.
Making the Pinhole: Carefully pierce a hole halfway up the can using the pin. Cover this hole with a small piece of electrical tape to ensure no light through the pinhole.
Prepare the Can: Use the can opener to remove the top of the can. Be cautious with sharp edges.
Loading the Photographic Paper: In a dimly lit room, take out the light-sensitive paper. It’s crucial to avoid exposing it to sunlight. Curl the paper lengthwise so the emulsion (slightly shiny side) is facing toward the pinhole. Make sure the pinhole is not covered by the paper.
Securing the Camera: Seal the can with the construction paper lid and tape the lid on securely while avoiding covering the pinhole.
Setting Up Your Camera
Now that your solargraph camera is ready, find a suitable outdoor location where it can observe the sun’s path. Ideally, position it towards the South West or South East on a stable surface like a drainpipe or fence post. Use cable ties to secure the camera vertically, ensuring it won’t move or be crushed.
Capturing Time in Motion
Once your camera is in place, remove the piece of tape covering the pinhole. Over time, the sun’s movement will expose the photographic paper inside the can, creating a unique solargraph that documents the changing position of the sun throughout the days and seasons.
Developing Your Image
After your chosen exposure period (ranging from days to several months), retrieve your can, but cover the pinhole with a piece of tape again. In a dimly lit room, remove the photographic paper from the can. Use a flatbed scanner or even a mobile phone camera to digitize and view your solargraph image. You’ll want to do this as soon as possible to avoid additional exposure. Once scanned, use your preferred picture editing software to tweak the image as you desire. You’ll be amazed at the intricate arcs and patterns traced by the sun over time!
Conclusion
Building a solargraph camera is a rewarding blend of science and art, allowing you to witness time passing in a tangible way. Whether you’re a curious hobbyist or an educator looking for a captivating project, creating your own solargraph camera offers a unique perspective on the universe around us. So, gather your materials, find the perfect spot, and start capturing the timeless dance of the sun across the sky.
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