A brief pinhole photography history by pinhole expert and enthusiast Anita Chernewski.
The image-forming ability of a tiny hole is thought to have been known thousands of years ago by nomadic tribes of North Africa, who lived in animal skin tents. A pinhole in the tent would project an image of the brilliant scene outside.
In the 5th century B.C., Chinese scholars had discovered that light travels in straight lines. The philosopher Mo Ti recorded the formation of an inverted image with a pinhole. Aristotle wrote about pinhole images in the 4th century B.C. In his famous books are references to pinhole observations. In the 10th century A.D., Arabian physicist and mathematician Alhazen, described a pinhole’s usefulness for viewing a solar eclipses without the risk to the eyes. These are just some of the fascinating accounts describing the early experiments and observations by scholars.
Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th century gave a clear description in his notebooks: “When the images of illuminated objects pass through a small round hole into a very dark room…you will see on paper all those objects in their natural shapes and colours.” “Who would believe that so small a space could contain the image of all the universe? O mighty process! What talent can avail to penetrate a nature such as these? What tonque will it be that can unfold so great a wonder? Verily, none! This it is that guides the human discourse to the considering of divine things. Here the figures, here the colors, here all the images of every part of the universe are contracted to a point. O what a point is so marvelous!.
A scientist from Naples, Giovanni Battista della Porta in the first edition of his book “Natural Magic” in 1558, described the camera obscura in great detail. His demonstrations of up-side down images astounded and mystified visitors.
Sir David Brewster, an English scientist, was one of the first to make pinhole photographs. In the 1850’s in his book “The Stereoscope” the word “pin-hole” was first coined. Another Englishman Flinders Petrie, acclaimed the “father of archaeology” in the 1880’s, took many pinhole photographs during his excavations in Egypt. His photographs are exhibited in London museums.
f-stops, exact pinhole diameters, view finders and light meters are not necessary when using the pinhole camera. Its simplicity allows you to concentrate on the freedom of personal expression. Explore, experiment and above all…Enjoy the magical art of painting with light.

by Gary Fabbri, Malin Fabbri and Peter Wiklund
From pinhole to print will guide you from drilling your first pinhole to printing your first pinhole photograph. It is an easy to read, step-by-step guide to making a pinhole camera and creating images.
The quick and easy way to learn how to build a pinhole camera!
I had no idea that a simple pinhole could have unlimited depth of field and this tool dates as far back as 5000 BC.
Amazing
I had no idea that a simple pinhole could have unlimited depth of field and this tool dates as far back as 5000 BC.
Amazing