Solargraphs

Pinhole photography suffers the illusion that, as its science is simple, it should be easy to master. In practice, creating an effective pinhole image requires learning many variables including: hole size, exposure times, digital vs analog and focal length - all topped off with a fear of getting the math right.

What follows is a simple and effective design of a pinhole camera that enables the user to capture six-month duration images of the sun known as solargraphs without the need for any chemicals or a darkroom.

Sun tracks across the sky over the Clifton Cathedral in Bristol, UK, during a six-month exposure from 19 June 2009 through 20 December 2009. Photograph by Justin Quinnell.

Sun tracks across the sky over the Clifton Cathedral in Bristol, UK, during a six-month exposure from 19 June 2009 through 20 December 2009. Photograph by Justin Quinnell.

Find out how this image was made here.

Light Field Photography

So what is light field photography, and why do you need a plenoptic camera?

Look carefully at the three pictures above. They are not three different pictures. They are the same image, refocussed after the picture had been taken.

Yes, after.

So that's why you need a plenoptic camera. Or at least why you want one - they are just at the research stage at the moment and a bit low-resolution. Put it on your Christmas list for 2010.

As to what light field photography is, I'll leave that to the experts at Standford University. They've got technical explanations, and more photos and movies taken with their prototype plenoptic camera - some are really astounding!