Make A Pinhole Camera - National Geographic Kids

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A ghostly upside-down image of a light bulb appears inside a cardboard box used to make a pinhole camera.PHOTOGRAPH BY ABELARDO MORELL
Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
  • Sharp pencil
  • Empty shoe box with a lid
  • X-Acto knife (Ask an adult for help with this item!)
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Wax paper
  • Tape
  • Blanket

STEP ONE

Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

Use the point of a sharp pencil to punch a hole in one of the shorter ends of the shoe box.

STEP TWO

Ask an adult to use an X-Acto knife to cut a square in the opposite end of the box, directly across from the hole. The square should measure 2 inches on each side.

STEP THREE

Use scissors to cut a square of wax paper that measures 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) on each side.

STEP FOUR

Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

Place the wax paper directly over the square you cut in the box. Tape the edges of the wax paper to the box.

STEP FIVE

Take the camera box to a dimly lit room and turn on a lamp. Stand about 5 feet from the lamp.

STEP SIX

Cover your head and pinhole camera with a blanket. Be sure that the end with the wax paper is facing you and the end with the pinhole is facing the lamp.

STEP SEVEN

Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

Hold your pinhole camera at arms length from your face and aim it at the lamp. Keep it steady until you see an upside-down image of the lamp.

Text from the National Geographic Kids Guide to Photography by Nancy Honovich and Annie Griffiths

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Tag » How To Make A Pinhole Camera