Camera obscura

jondc

jondc

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Camera obscura

Has anyone seen or done this in a room. Would love to have a go at or experience it for real.
 
When I was a kid, if I pulled the heavy curtains on my bedroom window together to just leave a small, triangular gap at the top, it projected the scene from the garden onto the opposite wall. :)

Not that local to you, but there's a good purpose-built Camera Obscura in Dumfries in south west Scotland.
 
I have been in a proper one when I was a child, it was on the end of a pier, the image was projected onto a sort of table.
 
jondc said:
Has anyone seen or done this in a room. Would love to have a go at or experience it for real.
Click to expand...

Google doesn't list too many public ones in the UK. The best I know of is in Edinburgh and it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

If you want to do it yourself, there's no reason why you shouldn't. Just be aware that what you are talking about is basically building a specialised telescope. (Musicman's suggestion is a cheap alternative!) There's lots of literature (and instructions) available if you care to look. It's a marvellous experience but personally I question whether the effort and cost are justifiable on a private basis unless you have bits and pieces lying about. I guess a high-quality webcam is the modern equivalent.

Good luck!
 
yea there is one here in dumfries ....been a couple of years since i was at it ..but its pretty amazing ..well worth the experience
 
Pretty sure there's one in Bristol by the Clifton Bridge, didn't have time when we were there and have been meaning to go back.
 
Musicman said:
When I was a kid, if I pulled the heavy curtains on my bedroom window together to just leave a small, triangular gap at the top, it projected the scene from the garden onto the opposite wall. :)
Click to expand...

How cool was that when you was a kid!

Musicman said:
Not that local to you, but there's a good purpose-built Camera Obscura in Dumfries in south west Scotland.
Click to expand...

If I'm ever in the area I will pop in, thanks for the info.
 
Norseman said:
Google doesn't list too many public ones in the UK. The best I know of is in Edinburgh and it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

If you want to do it yourself, there's no reason why you shouldn't. Just be aware that what you are talking about is basically building a specialised telescope. (Musicman's suggestion is a cheap alternative!) There's lots of literature (and instructions) available if you care to look. It's a marvellous experience but personally I question whether the effort and cost are justifiable on a private basis unless you have bits and pieces lying about. I guess a high-quality webcam is the modern equivalent.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

What got me thinking about it was I watched the BBC Genius of Photography pt 1 last night and they did one with some black black out material and tape turning a large room into one by taping up the windows. Made me wonder how many other people had tried it or even seeing if a group of people on here want to club together and have a go.
 
fitzer said:
Pretty sure there's one in Bristol by the Clifton Bridge, didn't have time when we were there and have been meaning to go back.
Click to expand...

Will research that :thumbs: cheers
 
We made one at school as part of a physics lesson exploring optics. No proper lens, just a pinhole but it worked quite well.
 
I always thought they were just ripping off Belle and Sebastian :)
 
Been to the one in Edinburgh and witnessed a road accident whilst looking at it.
 
There is one at the Arundel Wetlands and Wildfowl trust, item 5 on this map.

Sorry, not exactly local.
 
Spotted this one on the Lofoten Islands, Norway, sadly it was locked up.

5547225808_374d4fe20a_z.jpg
 
Groucho said:
Spotted this one on the Lofoten Islands, Norway, sadly it was locked up.

5547225808_374d4fe20a_z.jpg
Click to expand...

At least everyone who has read this thread now knows how to say "camera obscura' in Norwegian.:)
 
my wife made one in our old house. There was a tiny back bedroom that we used as an office. She covered the window in black paper and taped the edges with electrical tape, then made a small hole and voila, weird view of the terraces across the street!
 
When i was in the one in edinburgh, one of the guys saw his car being broken into. I've never seen anyone leave a room that fast !
 
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