1. Light as it plays in a dark room…
Camera obscura
Light as it plays in a dark room…

2. Camera obscuras… The term is Latin for “dark room or chamber”
Ancestor of the modern camera
Principle of capturing light or pinhole cameras was know to man in ancient times…described in Chinese writings in 5th century B.C.
Aristotle wrote about camera obscura principles in 4th century B.C.
Basically a hole in the wall of a dark room with a screen for capturing the inverted image…but image not permanent.
Camera Obscuras are still in use today…many are tourist spots and educational sites

3. From the 15th century onward camera obscuras were used by artists as drawing devices…helped with outlines
Gradually they become portable devices and were fitted with lenses and mirrors

4. Portable obscuras

5. Light travels in a straight line…image is inverted unless directed by a mirror and lens system

6. Large obscuras
San Francisco
Southern California
Edinburgh, Scotland

7. Large obscuras

8. the Human obscura…our eye

9. Camera Obscura views
Notice that the images are upside down and seem to wrap around the room.

10. Camera Obscura views

11. Create your own camera obscura…
Get in groups of 2-3 …you may work alone if you insist
Follow the steps on the provided handout and create your own portable camera obscura
Each member of the group will be responsible for the work…you will list your specific job description on the reflection sheet you turn in with your camera obscura…so no slacking off! 