

Solargraph created with the Coleman’s Mustard tin at right. There’s more about these tins here.
I took two pinhole cameras to Bondi this year for solargraphy. One of my 35mm film canisters for a modest four day exposure and t’other, the Quaker Oats Cam, for a year long adventure. I attached the canister on one of the hand rail supports leading down to our dock with an orientation towards Lake of Bays and the setting sun.


I spoke with Nancy at the Tuesday BBQ about the possibility of installing the Quaker Oats Cam somewhere at Bondi for a year. Within minutes, I was with Brian touring the property in a golf cart scoping out locations. We decided that a utility pole out beyond the horse barn would make an excellent location and on Friday, Mike and Dave brought out a ladder for the installation. While zip ties work well in the San Francisco climate, they recommended and provided a more sturdy wire.


This is me keeping my fingers crossed, hoping that that the Quaker Oats Cam will survive all manner of weather that Ontario will throw at it.
A big thanks to the Tapley family at Bondi Village for their help.
My love of pinhole photography began with a gift from a friend in 2003. Leslie had spent months looking for a Snapdragon pinhole camera, Polaroid back and a bunch of expired film that I could burn through. She wanted to give me my birthday present just a little bit early that year and included a print out of the Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day web site. Leslie passed away very suddenly a few years ago and we all lost something beautiful. She was an incredibly talented and funny woman with a brain unlike any other.
While every day can be a pinhole day, there’s something special about the last Sunday in April. As I drag my gear around looking for inspiration, I know that I’m part of something just a little bit bigger and I know that Leslie is with me.
Here are my contributions to the last nine Worldwide Pinhole Photography Days:

On my way down Broadway this morning, I spotted a woman in fabulous pink leopard flats and a great clock tattoo standing to one side. My first thought was to keep walking, but what could be lost by asking?
“May I take a picture of your feet?”
Bailey was very nice and not at all creeped out by a woman asking to take a photo of her feet. I explained about the pinhole lens and she confessed to some experience making a Quaker Oat Cannister pinhole camera. (Yay, pinhole!) I showed her the result, introduced myself as I shook her hand and then went on my way. Onward!

I really don’t need any encouragement to invest in a set of fabulous nails like Danielle’s. Tumblr HQ, New York. Lumix GF1 w/ Pinwide pinhole body cap, ISO 800, 4 second exposure.

“Vir Heroicus Sublimis”, 1950-51, Barnett Newman.
ISO 1600, 6 second exposure. Lumix GF1, Pinwide pinhole body cap.

Handmade matchbox pinhole camera, 2 second exposure.
You can view more of my matchbox pinhole photos here.

Handmade matchbox pinhole camera, 2 second exposure.
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