Steps of making a Match Box Film Pinhole Camera
Things you need:
-Black marker
-Match Box
-Empty film canister
-35mm black and white film
-Black tape
-Black foil
-Small piece of thick card
-Blue tack
1. Taking the match box and a black marker I coloured the inside of the box black in order to stop any light leaking through the box as this would either mist or completely void the image.
2. Once the inside is blacked out, I cut a small box in the center of the sleeve, it is important that it is in the middle in order to make sure the pinhole in center so that the light reaches the piece of film. I then cut out a frame in the box bottom, you can use any shape and size (limited to the size of the box), this allows you to add a frame to the image if wanted. Examples being a circle, so that the image is only present in that rounded shape on the film and the rest is black.
3. Now tape the black foil onto the little window on the sleeve and add a very small hole in the center of this. Now slide the frame back into the sleeve and feed the film through as seen below. The matte side facing the hole.
4. Feed the film into the empty reel and close the canister. Make sure this is tight and will enable you to twist it round to take the film. Tape both of these tightly together, remember which side has the film in it and which is empty, mark this if needed.
5. Fully cover the camera in the black tape, making sure no light will leak in. Mark which side is unexposed, so you know which direction to turn it. Add the thick card as a little door over the hole so you can open and close it, seal with the blue tack when you aren't using it.
6. Now the camera is ready to take out, exposing each part of the film, ranging from 25-40 seconds each time. Then covering the hole and twisting 2/3 full turns toward the exposed section of the canister.
Unfortunately when I took it back to the dark room and developed the film I found I didn't tighten the connection enough and it came loose, meaning that the film didn't turn. So I was unsuccessful this time, however for next time I know to tape the connection and tighten it more than before. Also making the frame as big as a did meant that the film got trapped in it, so next time I will try a smaller frame to avoid this.
