Changing paper in the field?

Carriage · Oct 29, 2015

I'm thinking about giving pinhole photography a go and building a foamcore pinhole camera and using paper negatives. Is there a simple known mechanism to change the paper out in the field or would it just be easiest taking my changing bag with me?

Jersey Vic · Oct 29, 2015

What size? If you can build in space for a film holder (and want to buy or borrow some film holders) that would be great. Otherwise a changing bag sound perfect. I have an 8x20 cookie tin camera I love and may start bringing my collodion darkbox with me.

Carriage · Oct 29, 2015

Not too sure yet. Probably 5x7 because I already have some paper and I like the size. Maybe 3.5x5.5 as it's cheaper and available locally.

Yeah, film holders are an idea. Not sure I want to invest in those though as at this stage I feel like I'll just be dabbling and continuing to focus on my 35mm stuff.

Thanks for the help.

Jersey Vic · Oct 29, 2015

I'm sure you can make a foam core holder too. you might be able to find this in a library and get some ideas from it:
http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Photography-Cameras-Calotypes-Alternative/dp/0240804619
Take Care

BetterSense · Oct 29, 2015

Make more cameras.

Sirius Glass · Oct 29, 2015

Get one of these: http://www.freestylephoto.biz/25001-Photoflex-Changing-Room from our sponsor.

NedL · Oct 30, 2015

BetterSense said:
Make more cameras.

Honestly, that's what I've done. When I go out pinholing, I usually bring several cameras.

I have changed paper in my changing bag, and I have some black plastic envelopes I made so that it is easy to feel the difference between the pre-flashed unexposed envelope and the exposed envelope. I use that more when I'm using paper negatives in a lensed camera, and it is a little fussy swapping the paper out between shots. I also have a little homemade foamcore 5x7 camera that uses an idea I got from Joe VanCleave: behind the bracket that holds the paper in place there is a divided slot, with one section for exposed paper and one for unexposed. In that camera, changing the paper is easy, just pop off the lid and swap the paper.. no fussing with envelopes. ( still in the changing bag, of course! )

I'd also like to make a plug for heading out with one camera with a single sheet of paper in it... to make one picture. I do that a lot and I really like it, it focuses attention and puts all the emphasis on just finding one good shot... and it's fun deciding when/where/how and "if this is it". And really, if it gets messed up, who cares? It's supposed to be fun and a little carefree, and there's always tomorrow.

TheToadMen · Oct 30, 2015

NedL said:
Honestly, that's what I've done. When I go out pinholing, I usually bring several cameras.

I'd also like to make a plug for heading out with one camera with a single sheet of paper in it... to make one picture. I do that a lot and I really like it, it focuses attention and puts all the emphasis on just finding one good shot... and it's fun deciding when/where/how and "if this is it". And really, if it gets messed up, who cares? It's supposed to be fun and a little carefree, and there's always tomorrow.

Now that I like! And yes: it IS fun to do that.

Bert from Holland
http://thetoadmen.blogspot.nl

pdeeh · Oct 30, 2015

NedL said:
It's supposed to be fun and a little carefree,

Ned, I've warned you about this before - this is APUG. Photography isn't supposed to be enjoyed, and if you carry on in this vein, I shall feel forced to report you to the moderators.

as to the OP ... avoid acquiring film holders. It can all too easily happen that you start to think they'd be best employed on a "proper camera". And what's next after that? Joining LFPF. And after that? It's a beard, a big hat and brass lenses.

just "a word to the wise", as they say ...

bvy · Oct 30, 2015

pdeeh said:
And what's next after that? Joining LFPF. And after that? It's a beard, a big hat and brass lenses.

That's hilarious. And true.

To the OP -- look up Joe Van Cleave. He's done some innovative things to get around this problem, though I wouldn't call them simple.

My own opinion is that going out with a large format-type pinhole camera with the idea of capturing a dozen or more images during one outing isn't really in the spirit of pinhole photography. As has been said... more cameras. I built several pinhole cameras and would load some number of them with paper, throw them in a bag, and take them out -- never more than three or so at a time though.

If quantity is more important than size, you might want to look into some medium format or 35mm options.

removed account4 · Oct 30, 2015

back in the day there were ferrotypist cameras that street photographers used
to photograph streetscapes / random people
( http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Mandel-ette )
very much like folks who use the afghan cameras ( karma-e-faoree )do in kabul.
( https://vimeo.com/32748604 )
like the afghan camera
( http://www.afghanboxcamera.com )
the ferrotypist cameras had a sleeve the operator stuck his arm in to drop the exposed image into a can
under the camera
(http://www.vintagephoto.tv/mandelette.shtml)
maybe ... you can have 2 sleeves of paper in the base of your camera and a sleeve
so you can have the paper inside the camera...
slide a piece of stretchy flat fabric on the very top and bottom to put the edges of the paper underneath, it
will stay flat-enough ... maybe have a piece of ruby-lith as a window to make sure all works ... and
when you are done exposing stick your arm in the sleeve, and switch olde exposed paper for new unexposed paper.
i have had plans on doing this myself, even a giant camera to do it with, but ... life reared its head and i got side-tracked.

good luck !
john

Carriage · Oct 31, 2015

So I built a camera today and gave this a go.

The scan's not the best but the positive image looks roughly right. They were scanned together so the negative actually is quite dark, though obviously there's still detail there.

I'm not too sure what's going on around the edges. It may just be the light creeping under when printing. I also need a way to get it level and stop it moving in the wind too.

NedL · Oct 31, 2015

That's 5x7? Looks great to me. What kind of photopaper is this?

Carriage · Oct 31, 2015

Thanks. Yeah it's 5 by 7. Ilford multigrade rc. The whites don't look that white in truth by the way, but if I don't scan as greyscale I get this weird green cast.

Changing paper in the field?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency