In class we focused on creating our own cameras using the camera obscura method. A camera obscura is a device which projects images and is one the reason why a camera and photography was invented. Many inventors in history have debated over the camera obscura, Leonardo De Vinci and even Greek inventors such as Aristotle mentioned the idea of projecting an image on to a screen.
There are three ways in which you can manipulate light. Reflection, projection and refraction. Reflection is the easiest since we notice this every time we look i a mirror a mirror is an optical illusion in which you have a smooth enough surface to see the opposite of what your looking into. The other two ways of using light, we're using light to manipulate the projection of the light. However we used the process of reflection mostly. The video on the right describes in detail the method of turning light into a camera obscura. |
As you can see, the person creates a camera lens by removing a lens from a torch and taping it to a sheet of card. The window is then covered with the camera lens and opaque black paper, to block any intruding light from entering the room. For a few minuets the only light entering the room is from the camera lens.
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The term 'camera obscura' more or less means dark chamber. This is because up until the late 16th century people would often use the process, instead of a casual bedroom, in a dark chamber. As the situation changed rapidly, many people replaced the lens with a simple pin hole camera. This was easier to do.
The video below contains footage of us creating A camera obscura.
The video below contains footage of us creating A camera obscura.