So there I was clicking around photo.net when I noticed a link to the article “Pinhole Photography” by Jon Grepstad. What? Is this digital pinhole of some sort? No at all. It’s the good, ole classic kind, and Grepstad has written one hell of a brilliant, engaging and informative article on topic – history, in-depth technical information, and great links. (One great link heads to site featuring pinhole camera pulled by a tractor! — Wish I could read German.)
Anyway, I’m not going to try to find a clear link between pinhole photography and the practical application to modern digital photography. I wouldn’t know where to buy that rice-paper thin B&W printing paper (to use as my negative) if I wanted to. And I’m not eager to return to the fumes of the B&W darkroom. Nonetheless, I have a fond spot for pinhole photography, and so I dedicate all of you who do also, just in case you want to take a trip down pinhole memory lane.
Yes, a camera. Pinhole camera.
My own memory lane starts at Rochester Institute of Technology, where I went off to study after high school, never having played with pinhole. (Imagine!) And although pinhole wasn’t in the curriculum, it was a project in “Creative Problems,” which was a non photography-centered class, which probably helped me prepare for the creative challenges of digital photography better than the more standard classes.
Brilliant digital photographers with no pinhole experiences prove that no one HAS to learn to shoot amazing images without a lens (beyond a pinhole, that is), but I’m certainly glad I had the experience. You can call me a Photo Nerd because I am one. And so I’m not embarrassed to admit that engaging in PH Photography truly strengthened my understanding of exactly HOW we are able to paint with light.
I’d wax on poetic-like, but if you’ve gotten this far, I’m curious if you have any fond pinhole photography memories. How about sharing some images?
Here’s to PH Photography!