You don’t need fancy gear to make something beautiful. Sometimes, all it takes is a little curiosity and a shoebox. A pinhole camera is one of the simplest (and coolest) ways to get into analog photography. It strips the process down to the basics—light, time, and a little chemistry—and the results are often magical.
Whether you’re a total beginner or just want to get your hands dirty with a low-tech photo project, building your own pinhole camera is easy, affordable, and surprisingly fun.
What You’ll Need
You probably have most of this lying around already:
• A light-tight container (shoebox, coffee can, or even a cookie tin)
• Black paint or matte black paper (optional but helpful)
• Aluminum foil
• A pin or needle
• Scissors
• Tape (electrical tape works great)
• Something to use as a shutter (a piece of opaque tape or cardboard)
The Gingerbread Pinhole Camera by @diaboli — proof that anything can be a camera if you believe hard enough
How to Build Your Pinhole Camera
Step 1: Prep Your Container
Paint the inside (and optionally, the outside) of your box or can black to reduce reflections and prevent light leaks. Let it dry completely. If painting’s not your thing, line the inside with black construction paper or dark cloth.
Step 2: Cut and Cover the Pinhole Area
Choose one side of your container and cut out a small square—this will be your “lens” area. Cover that square from the inside with a piece of aluminum foil, taped tightly in place.
Step 3: Make the Pinhole
Using a pin or needle, gently poke a tiny hole in the center of the foil. The smaller and cleaner the hole, the sharper your image will be. That’s your pinhole lens!
Step 4: Load the Photographic Paper or Film
In total darkness (or a darkroom/safelight environment), tape a piece of photographic paper or film to the inside wall opposite your pinhole. This is where your image will be captured.
Step 5: Make a Shutter
Cover the outside of the pinhole with an opaque flap—this is your shutter. A piece of black tape, a folded sticky note, or cardboard works fine. It just needs to stay put until you’re ready to take the shot.
How to Take a Photo
1. Place your pinhole camera on a steady surface or tripod (movement = blur).
2. Point it toward your subject.
3. Remove the shutter to expose the paper/film.
4. Count your exposure time (30 seconds is a good start on a sunny day—longer in shade or indoors).
5. Cover the pinhole again to stop the exposure.
You’ll probably need to experiment with exposure times depending on your lighting and the material you’re using.
How to Develop Your Photo
If you’re using photo paper, you’ll need a basic darkroom setup with developer, stop bath, and fixer (you can find beginner kits online or at photography stores). Handle the paper carefully and only in a light-safe space until it’s fully fixed.
If you’re using film, develop according to your film type—black-and-white film is easiest to start with if you’re doing it at home.
Pro tip: keep everything light-tight until it’s developed or scanned!
Elizabeth Rangel’s pinhole camera made from an axolotl flower pot
Elizabeth Rangel’s pinhole photograph.
Conclusion
Making your own pinhole camera is a great reminder that photography is all about light, patience, and experimentation. It’s tactile. It’s unpredictable. It slows you down—in the best way.
So grab a box, poke a hole in it, and see what happens. The beauty is in the process.