Pinhole Camera

Experience how a simple camera without a lens creates images using just a tiny aperture

Pinhole Camera

Camera Settings

Pinhole Size:

Box Length:

Light Control

Light Intensity:

Rays Density:

Object Control

Object Distance:

Object Height:

Drag the object to move it around. Adjust the sliders to change camera properties.

How a Pinhole Camera Works

Basic Principle

A pinhole camera is a simple camera without a lens. It consists of a light-proof box with a small hole in one side. Light from a scene passes through this single point and projects an inverted image on the opposite side of the box.

The image is always inverted because light travels in straight lines, and light from the top of the object passes through the pinhole to the bottom of the image, and vice versa.

Key Components

Light-tight box - Prevents unwanted light from entering
Pinhole aperture - A tiny hole that allows light to enter
Image screen - Surface where the inverted image forms
Object - The subject being photographed

Characteristics

Produces sharp but dim images
Has infinite depth of field
No lens distortion
Image sharpness depends on pinhole size
Longer exposure times needed