camera obscura |
'camera obscura' is Latin for "dark chamber." It is the name given to a simple device used to produce images that lead to the invention of photography. For centuries the technique was used for looking at and studying eclipses of the Sun without endangering the eyes and, by the 16th century, used to help with drawing. The subject was outside and the image reflected on paper for the artist to trace. Portable versions were built, followed by smaller and even pocket models; the interior of the box painted black and the image reflected by an angled mirror so that it could be viewed the right way around.This is the camera obscura I created. Using black card, tracing paper, masking tape and a magnifying glass- it's a simplistic version of the original camera obscura. We used cutouts of card and nets to make the correct shape then proceeded to attach the tracing paper and card on top. Then, to achieve the correct focal length, we used a magnifying glass and more card to attach to the camera. Once completed, we set up the camera and could view the image of the outside through the tracing paper then traced the image on. Through the tracing paper, you can view the outside image then use a pen to trace over the visible image.
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