Photography using Technology older than Photography itself.

By Helmut Weber

Pinhole photography is photography without a lens. Everything we see is a reflection of trillions of light rays, bouncing off everything that is reflective. Our eyes or the lens on a camera catches these rays, bundles and projects them to form a picture. But when light rays go through a tiny hole into a dark room or box (Camera Obscura) something strange happens – without a lens - an upside down image forms on the wall opposite the hole. This phenomenon was first documented in China in 400BC in the western world around 330BC. Later the “Camera Obscura” meaning a dark room with a pinhole was used to trace and draw pictures of reality. Therefore this technology is older than photography itself. In 1870 the pinhole was for the first time used in photography. One hundred years later in 1970 young photographers start experimenting with the pinhole. Ten years later the art establishment becomes interested in the pinhole image so much that some pinhole photographs are selling for US$8,000.

Today it has become the second fastest growing photo technique after digital. A web search under “Pinhole Photography” will bring more than 3,000,000 results. 

Why Pinhole Photography?

In a world of sophisticated technology, where even a simple camera can make a technically perfect photograph by the push of a button there is absolutely no reason to use the pinhole for photography. The pinhole image is soft, exposure times are long and the photographer needs more and special skills to create an image. Why is it then that today people are fascinated by a pinhole photograph and why are so many photographers and artists choose this technology?

How can one explain that an escape to the very basics can be more stimulating and rewarding than simply following the path to greater and greater perfection? Pinhole photography is nothing less than the total defiance of modern convention. Many people try to challenge the almost perfect image reproduction of modern photography by creating art with just a ray of light.
Once in a while we want a break and go back to the simple life. Pinhole photography forces us to take time and look for that special mood and aura of a subject. I believe we have to go out and feel an image rather than simply seeing it. This explains why so many pinhole photographs have a certain dream like appearance to the viewer. There is no need to bother with sharpness or colour correctness – the pinhole image is beyond such limitations. The pinhole image itself is reduced to the very basics and as such is able to reach the very heart of the viewer.