Laser Cut Birdhouse Pinhole Camera

In this instructable, we will create a Pinhole Camera that looks like a birdhouse! This process will use a laser cutter.

laser cutter

Adobe Illustrator

1/4 inch cardboard or plywood

RC photo paper

masking tape

black electrical tape

black paint and paintbrushes

wood glue

toothpicks (optional)

needle

aluminum foil

scissors or paper cutter

film development/darkroom supplies

Download the outline of the birdhouse to be laser cut! All lines should be preset to .001" stroke thickness and an RGB color to cut.

Using either plywood or cardboard cut out the design with the laser cutter. Collect all pieces and check to make sure they all fit together.

Once you're sure the pieces fit together, use masking tape to hold them and reinforce the pieces with wood glue. Toothpicks can be helpful for getting the wood glue in small spaces! Also, use wood glue to connect the two small circles and bird piece for the cap, as well as the hook on top of the roof. Once it is glued together, use the black electrical tape to seal all seams and make sure it is light-tight! This can be done in a dark room with a phone flashlight.

In order to make sure the inside of the box is as light-tight as possible, paint the inside of the box black. Everything should be assembled and look like the image above.

The last step of assembly for the camera is using the electrical tape to put a piece of aluminum foil over the hole in the front. Using a sewing needle, poke a tiny hole that is the size of the tip of the needle in the foil. Make sure the cap fits snugly without tearing the aluminum foil.

This drawing shows how the camera should be assembled in the darkroom. Cut the photo paper to fit the frame and place it in the back of the birdhouse. Slide the top piece of the house over the bottom piece and then put in the cap to make the camera light tight.

Take the camera outside and hang it in a tree! Take off the cap for 10-30 seconds depending on the amount of sunlight that day. Replace the cap and take the camera back inside to the darkroom.

Once you are back inside the darkroom, develop your film. You may need to alter the exposure time based on whether your film was under/overexposed. If there are any spots that are overexposed, double check your camera to make sure it is light-tight. It takes some trial and error but can make great pictures when used correctly!