Discover the magic of photography at its most simple in this hands on workshop. You’ll learn how to build your very own pinhole camera using an everyday light-proof box you have at home. Whether that be an old film box or a wooden box, or even a coffee can, you can give it a second life as a camera and see the world differently!

Starting at AK Bell Library, our photography expert will guide you through the basics of pinhole photography and help you construct and load your camera to make lumen prints, a variation on the pinhole camera where it can be left for hours/days, or even months, to give an image which forms directly on to the paper over time. You can even create ‘solargraphs’ which capture the sun’s path across the sky.

You’ll then be supplied with a pre-made pinhole camera and head outside to put them to the test. Following a gentle route though some of Perth’s vennels and historic sites you’ll create images with your pinhole camera and make your way to the Perth’s Creative Exchange in Stormont Street where you’ll use the community darkroom to develop the negatives.

From camera creation to image printing, you’ll learn more about early photography and traditional processes in this fun workshop.

What to expect:

• Learn about pinhole photography

• Take a guided tour through Perth, taking photos as you go

• Visit the Community Darkroom at Perth’s Creative Exchange to develop your images

• Make a simple pinhole camera that you can take away and experiment with yourself

• Images created on the day will be scanned and emailed to you

What you’ll need to bring:

• Any object which can be made lightproof. Great options are old biscuit tins or cans of any size. Coffee cans made of aluminium are also good, or maybe you have an old wooden box that you don’t mind making a hole in.

• An Apron for protecting your clothes whilst developing your film.

• All other materials and tools will be provided.

Additional Information

No prior experience is needed. As part of this workshop takes place outside, please be aware of weather conditions on the day and dress appropriately. The route may include steps or uneven surfaces.

For any questions around accessibility for this event, please get in touch with Events@culturepk.org.uk