Photography without a Lens

You read the title and wondering to yourself, how in the world is that possible. We need a lens for everything. You eye has a lens, cameras have lenses and even when the lens in our eye needs correcting we end up putting on eye glasses and that has a lens.

So how is it possible to make a photograph without a lens. It is quite simple. A natural optical phenomenon is used to produce the image. If you make a tiny tiny hole in one side of a box and on the opposite side where the light would strike you put a viewing surface you will notice a scene but it is inverted. It is not the sharpest looking image but it is of a level of clarity that you would be able to see and identify details.

Cut to the chase, this type of camera was then referred to as Camera obscura. You can read up on just how far back it dates but as time progressed the basic design of what it is more commonly referred to as, a pinhole camera, has not really changed. Technological advances in make tiny holes is what has changed and using math to calculate the size of the hole relative to the film (viewing) plane dictated the focal length and that affected the sharpness. Pinholes today can still be made with a small needle or pin or for super accurate holes, laser drilled in brass and a variety of sizes are used. The RealitySoSubtle 6x6 pinhole camera uses a hole drilled to 0.15mm.

The cover image is a sampling of images I have enjoyed making with my RealitySoSubtle 6x6 pinhole camera. I should make some more as they have a special quality to them. The shots you see were most often shot using Shanghai GP3 100 black and white negative film. Processing may have been with Ilford Perceptol, Kodak HC110 or Ilford DDX.

By the way, it is also possible to use the same pinhole principle with digital cameras. The only change is using digital instead of film to capture the image.

The image in the gallery can be downloaded if you would like a different kind of desktop wallpaper for your computer. The image may not be reproduced all rights reserved.