pinhole camera exposure worksheet measure the camera s short focal length in mm: mm measure the camera s long focal length in mm: mm measure the camera s medium focal length in mm (optional): mm calculate the camera s f/stop for the long focal length (show work): calculate the camera s f/stop for the short focal length (show work): calculate the camera s f/stop for the medium focal length (show work): long f/stop = f/ medium f/stop = f/ short f/stop = f/
rule of f/16 (BSD) and alternate exposure calculations shooting with your subject in full sun or on a bright hazy day use a pinhole exposure chart or an exposure calculator to find the correct exposure time using the rule of f/16 for a bright sunny day (BSD) our film (photo paper) is rated at ISO 4: long f/stop: full sun or bright hazy day exposure time: seconds medium f/stop: full sun or bright hazy day exposure time: seconds short f/stop: full sun or bright hazy day exposure time: seconds shooting with subject in shaded areas or on a bright cloudy day, increase exposure time by 50%: 30 seconds x.5 = 15 seconds 30 seconds + 15 seconds = 45 second exposure long f/stop: shaded areas or bright cloudy day exposure time: seconds medium f/stop: shaded areas or bright cloudy day exposure time: seconds short f/stop: shaded areas or bright cloudy day exposure time: seconds shooting with subject in deep shade, on a cloudy day, early morning or early evening, increase exposure time by 100%: 30 seconds x 1.0 = 30 seconds 30 seconds + 30 seconds = 60 second exposure long f/stop: deep shade or cloudy day exposure time: seconds medium f/stop: deep shade or cloudy day exposure time: seconds short f/stop: deep shade or cloudy day exposure time: seconds
shooting at dusk, dawn or dark cloudy day increase exposure time by 150%: 30 seconds x 1.5 = 45 seconds 30 seconds + 45 seconds = 75 second exposure long f/stop: dusk, dawn or dark cloudy exposure time: seconds medium f/stop: dusk, dawn or dark cloudy exposure time: seconds short f/stop: dusk, dawn or dark cloudy exposure time: seconds shooting with snow cover on ground or near a large body of water, decrease exposure time by 25%: 30 seconds x.25 = 7.5 seconds 30 seconds 7.5 seconds = 22.5 second exposure long f/stop: snow cover exposure time: seconds medium f/stop: snow cover exposure time: seconds short f/stop: snow cover exposure time: seconds
trouble shooting guide to pinhole photography if your image is entirely black or white: re-measure focal length, re-check f/stop and exposure calculations check for light leaks in camera body possible exposed or fogged photo paper pinhole is plugged or partially plugged if your image is very overexposed: shoot with the sun over your shoulder do not point the aperture directly toward the sun or it will cause an overexposure of your image if you have white dots or snowflakes on your negative: the white spots are caused by flakes of black paint that have detached from the inside of your camera tip your camera upside-down with the lid off and tap flakes into the trash if your image is underexposed or overexposed: were you shooting with the subject in full sun, and if not, did you calculate your exposure time for the correct lighting? if your image has multiple images or is not in sharp focus: either your camera or your subject was moving during the exposure if it is windy, try to place a weight on your camera to stabilize it and prevent it from moving in the wind do not attempt to hand-hold your camera, instead place it on a steady and secure surface if only a small black dot appears in the center of your negative: the emulsion side of your photo paper was not facing the aperture
pinhole exposure guide: long f/stop: full sun or bright hazy day exposure time: seconds medium f/stop: full sun or bright hazy day exposure time: seconds short f/stop: full sun or bright hazy day exposure time: seconds long f/stop: shaded areas or bright cloudy day exposure time: seconds medium f/stop: shaded areas or bright cloudy day exposure time: seconds short f/stop: shaded areas or bright cloudy day exposure time: seconds long f/stop: deep shade or cloudy day exposure time: seconds medium f/stop: deep shade or cloudy day exposure time: seconds short f/stop: deep shade or cloudy day exposure time: seconds long f/stop: dusk, dawn or dark cloudy exposure time: seconds medium f/stop: dusk, dawn or dark cloudy exposure time: seconds short f/stop: dusk, dawn or dark cloudy exposure time: seconds long f/stop: snow cover exposure time: seconds medium f/stop: snow cover exposure time: seconds short f/stop: snow cover exposure time: seconds