•    HOME   
•    NEWS   
•    BUSINESS   
•    INTERNATIONAL   
•    TECH   
•    SPORTS   
•    LIFE & TIMES   
•    OPINION   
•    MY JAKARTA   
•    BLOGS   
•    EYEWITNESS   

Modern photography means instant gratification. A photographer shoots and has the ability to immediately review hundreds of pictures then make subtle adjustments to get the perfect shot.

But true devotees of the lens might enjoy going a little old-school and delving into the fundamental simplicity of pinhole cameras.

“I’m not against digital cameras. But I think if you want to learn about photography, it’s better to learn the very basics,” said Ray Bachtiar Dradjat, a professional photographer and the founder of Komunitas Lubang Jarum Indonesia, or Indonesia Pinhole Camera Community.

Ray said photographers could get back to the basics of photography with a simple and cheap pinhole camera. These cameras are often tubular containers or provide a portable and simple light-proof capsule with a small hole in place of a lens that allows in light. A magnet or piece of tape acts as the shutter, which is operated manually as the user lifts and replaces it. Exposures can take seconds or hours, depending on the ambient light available.

“When you feel you have let enough light in for the exposure, then you should then close the hole. It’s very simple, really,” Ray said.

He said the process of a photo creation took place inside the camera, which he called an imitation of a darkroom. It produces an inverted image captured on either film or photographic paper.

Although such cameras are available at hobby shops, Ray said enthusiasts would feel a different and more profound sense of creativity by building their own cameras.

“I don’t think making a pinhole camera would be a problem,” said Ray, whose first camera was made from a milk can.

He pointed out that photographers in Yogyakarta were known for their pinhole cameras made of cigarette cans, which create wonderful lighting distortions.

While any light-proof container will suffice, Ray suggested using a tubular can, like a tea container, for the cameras.

“It’s probably not difficult to find a tubular can at home,” he said.

The first step is making the camera body. Puncture a tiny hole on the end of the can. Kodak recommends making a tiny hole of about 0.34 millimeters in diameter that is between three to six inches from the film or photographic paper. That’s about the size of the hole a needle prick would leave.

Once the hole is punctured, color the inside of the can black. If there’s no paint available, the inside can be covered with black carton paper. Ray said that was needed to reduce the light reflection from the outside.

To make the shutter, simply tape a flap over the pinhole with dark tape. If the container is metal, a magnet can be used instead.

Then find a room that is completely dark and place some photo paper inside the can, which will be developed into a photo after it’s exposed.

It is wise to tape the shutter closed while the camera is not in use to avoid an accidental exposure.

To take a photo, frame the shot and then remove the shutter to let in light. On average, this can take between 30 seconds and about four minutes, after which the shutter is replaced. During the time the shutter is off, the camera must remain perfectly still as the photo paper absorbs the image.

The camera shouldn’t be opened except in a darkroom, where the photo paper can be turned into a print.

Ray held his first pinhole camera workshop in 2001, which was supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands and received a good response from young photography enthusiasts. With the success, Ray challenged himself to conduct more workshops in other cities, such as in Denpasar and Makassar.

In September that year, Ray released his book called “Memotret dengan Kamera Lubang Jarum” (“Taking Photos with A Pinhole Camera”). His second book, released in 2008 and called “Ritual Photography,” emphasized the importance of understanding pinhole techniques.

To further bolster the pinhole community, Ray actively promoted pinhole photography to the public, especially young people. His efforts have paid off as the KLJI now features branches in more than 20 cities across the archipelago.

By promoting the slogan “Membuat bukan membeli” (“Making, not buying”), the KLJI has been successful in boosting the popularity of pinhole photography.

Members of the KLJI are also active in creating workshops for children. Although Ray didn’t begin exploring pinhole cameras until after his first child was born, he feels it’s important that young people discover the fundamentals of learning how a picture is made before moving on to sophisticated digital cameras.

“I think it’s important that children understand about the process behind a creation,” Ray said. “Because with the digital invasion, our children will be too lazy to move around physically, or even to think.”

He said the group in Jakarta did not hold fixed meetings, but members were always welcome to come to its base in Manggarai, South Jakarta, which is also Ray’s office.

In the future, Ray hopes that his community can host more workshops and become involved in events and festivals, spreading the gospel of pinhole photography.