Bernard Vincavage: Camera Obscura Project

The materials used are: 2 similar sized boxes (can be the same), scissors, knife, lens, tape, and a white plastic bag.  Choose one box to cut both ends off. Then cut that box into its 4 sides. Take off on each side a few centimeters. Tip: Place both similar sides together then cut. Do the same for last side remaining sides. Tape all sides to reconstruct the box.

The last box, only one end needs to be cut off. On the other end, preferably the bottom portion a square outlet needs to be cut for the lens to be attached. To attach the lens, tape can be used to keep the lens on the box.

Cutting a piece of the plastic bag to create the obscura screen can be then placed on the reconstructed box with tape. Make sure there is no creases in screen, try to tighten the screen without ripping.

Place the screened box into the larger camera chamber and let the light  do the work. The screened box should be able to move forward and backward within the chamber to adjust the image focus.

Summary

Creating the camera obscura should take less than 20 minutes to construct effectively. Having sturdier boxes that will not bend when inserting the screened box is important and the screened box should not bend as a ripple can be caused on the screen. Perhaps having a handle attached to the screened box should help moving the box forward and backward. However, the camera still works as it should. 

My Obscura Photographs

Stirling, June 24, 2012 

Moving away from the sun so that the majority of light enters the lens portion of the camera is important. If not, then seeing the screened image is nearly impossible.