Solargraph Camera

prusaprinters

<p>Posting this near the winter solstice which is the best time of year to place one of these cameras.</p><p>The design is:</p><ul><li>Fully Parametric in FreeCAD - so you can alter the photo paper size and angle of view</li><li>Easy to develop for a pinhole camera - you just need the photo paper and a scanner</li><li>Mounting Grooves and zip tie holes to hold it stable while it is exposing</li></ul><h3>What you will need</h3><ul><li>Black and white Photo Paper (6x4 but you can customise)</li><li>Scanner</li><li>2x M4 Screws (to secure the lid)</li><li>Coke Can (for the pinhole)</li></ul><h3>How to Print</h3><p>Both parts can be printed easily without supports but you should pick a filament that will block the light and stand up to your climate (eg PLA might warp in hot summers).</p><p>Once you have printed the models, cut a piece of coke can to fit in the aperture hole and poke a small pinhole with a thumbtack.</p><p>Optionally weatherseal with hotglue, tape and spraypaint.</p><h3>How to Setup the Photo</h3><p>Place the photopaper into the camera and secure the lid with M4 screws. It is best to do this in a dim room and place some tape or bluetak over the pinhole when you are done so no light gets in while you place it.</p><p>When you place the camera use the following website to understand where the sun will rise and set:</p><p><a href="https://www.suncalc.org">https://www.suncalc.org</a></p><h3>How to Develop Photos</h3><p>Over time the image will burn in to the paper, so when you open the camera you should be able to see the negative of the image on the paper.</p><p>Relatively quicky, scan the paper with a flatbed paper as it will slowly become darken over time.</p><p>In your photo editor of choice, “Invert”the colours to get the proper image and adjust the contrast and brightness to fully bring the image out.</p>