Venice into Dreams – a Pinhole Photo Essay

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

I rarely delete comments, but this tempted me. What value do you think making a comment like this has? Nothing, it’s just rude. Comment like this again, and it won’t get through moderation.

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

George Bernard Shaw (platinum printer, Leica photographer, and writer) is believed to have said "there's only one camera better than a Leica, a pinhole camera!". I'm sure my Leica was proud!

Stefan Wilde replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

Hi Hamish, thank you for asking action! I love this site for its great articles, the knowledge, the creativity and last but not least the civility and kindness of most of the comments. This is why I dare to post here. And it is rare in internet land, where rudeness is so ubiquitous. Thanks to you and the team for building and protecting this site and thanks to the vast majority of commentators for being kind, encouraging and thoughtful!

Marco C replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

I laughed loudly when I saw the comment above, maybe it was ironic? :) I'm guilty to have taken pinhole images with a leica too... maybe I should go to Wetzlar in pilgrimage to atone my sins?!?

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

My pleasure! I can’t abide needless rudeness, it just makes no sense to behave that way in my opinion. I’m pleased to read you appreciate the efforts to keep things civil here. Thanks for the message!

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

I agree its an excellent site allowing everybody with a photography interest to express their own personal means of expression. A much more creative approach to photography and learning photography than copying the 'masters'. Thanks for the comment, though I'm not sure the original comment was any more than 'tongue-in-cheek'.

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

Ha, ha! I think at Wetzlar they already understand a camera is just a tool! Use, abuse, whatever, to achieve the end you desire.

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

Tongue in cheek, maybe, but if it was it was a little too ambiguous for me.

terry long replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

Thanks for your generous reaction, Geoff. I was having a bad day so I was too blunt. My apologies. By the way, GBS wasn't always as sagacious as he liked to pretend.

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

Ah, yes, clients, deadlines, mistakes, bad days, I remember those. Every day is Sunday now so much better. Thanks for the apology but not necessary.

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

Thanks for the comment. The 'rabbit hole' or focused diffraction effect is indeed something I have investigated to no avail. I cannot produce the effect with the same or other pinholes on this or any other camera. My best guess is a tiny piece of dirt got stuck in the pinhole and caused the pinhole image in the center of the film. I removed some digitally when they did not add to the story but left most.

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

Thanks Ibraar. But its a difficult act to follow I find, copying the style with other boats, vehicles and people, I can't get the same impact or strength of story. So far at least!

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

Many thanks, and I agree, why do the same as everybody else?

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

Thanks for the comment. Push a pin through aluminium foil, voila! The "professional" pinholes are laser drilled (perfectly round) in thin metal (to avoid heavy vignetting). But drill a hole in a thick piece of metal and yes, you'll have a pinhole, The image may be heavily vignetted and distorted from uneven shape or metal shavings around the edge but would be interesting.

Richard replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

Geoff, I tried this and as you say the image was heavily vignetted. The material with the hole in needs to be extremely thin in order to get the necessary angle of view. A lens cap is too thick. Lovely images you've got there. Richard

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 13/04/2023

Thanks. Attractive vignetting can be obtained using a piece of tin rather than something ultra thin (zero vignetting) or thick. Cut a large (1cm) hole in the lens cap and tape the prepared pinhole to the inside of the cap.

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 14/04/2023

Many thanks for the comment, much appreciated given the obvious effort you went to! I suspect you are under-estimating the power of your own images. Beware of pinhole though. The easiest thing to use but the most difficult thing to do well. It took me years of trying before I got to this series.

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 14/04/2023

Thanks. Attractive vignetting can be obtained using a piece of tin rather than something ultra thin (zero vignetting) or thick. Cut a large (1cm) hole in the lens cap and tape the prepared pinhole to the inside of the cap.

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 14/04/2023

Yes, my best guess too, dust stuck and aided by the filter blocking subsequent airflow between the camera body and the outside.

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 15/04/2023

Thanks for the comment.

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 16/04/2023

Thanks!

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 25/04/2023

Many thanks for your comments and knowledge. Indeed it's meant to be thought provoking - about dreaming and consciousness. But I definitely prefer my interpretation!