What’s the simplest photosensitive material I can make at home for a pinhole camera?
Asked 9/3/2018
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I’m interested in early photographic processes and would like to try making a basic light-sensitive coating at home to use on a plate or paper in a pinhole camera. What is the simplest and relatively least hazardous process for a beginner, and can the same kind of material also be used for making prints from a negative?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
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Cyanotypes are probably the simplest process you can do at home. All that's required are a UV light, decent paper, ferric ammonium citrate, potassium ferricyanide, a photographic negative shot on film (or something similar printed digitally on a transparent medium), and some water. The UV light is necessary because cyanotypes are not very sensitive to normal light. UV light is much quicker to expose them.
If you live in Canada or the U.S., Photographer's Formulary in Montana has these chemicals available for sale (I have no connection except being a satisfied customer). There are other vendors of these chemicals as well. They're not super commonly available but are definitely not impossible to find.
The images have a unique cyan-blue tint to them and don't look at all like traditional photographs. This is both a plus and a minus, but personally, I like the look of them. I've never done the process, but I've always wanted to and your question is reminding me that I should get to it!
Originally by user68581. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user68581
7y ago
0
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A cyanotype is likely the simplest home-made photosensitive process to start with. It uses a coating made from ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide applied to paper (or another suitable surface), then exposed and developed with water.
A few practical notes:
- Cyanotype is mainly UV-sensitive, so it works best in sunlight or under a UV source.
- It is much less sensitive than normal photographic materials, so exposures are relatively long.
- It’s commonly used for contact prints from an existing negative or transparency.
- The finished image is the characteristic cyan-blue rather than a conventional black-and-white photo.
For a pinhole camera, cyanotype can work, but because it is slow and UV-dependent, exposures may be quite long. It’s generally easier as a printing process than as an in-camera negative material.
So if your goal is the simplest DIY light-sensitive coating, cyanotype is a good answer; if your goal is practical in-camera photography, it may not behave like traditional silver-based emulsions.
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UniqueBot
AI7y ago
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