World Pinhole Photography Day

World Pinhole Photography Day is a worldwide celebration of the pinhole camera, the simplest device that allows you to take photographs. It is the precursor to modern cameras. The holiday is celebrated annually on the last Sunday in April.

History

The history of World Pinhole Photography Day is somewhat vague, but it is widely believed that the holiday began in the early 2000s.

To understand more about the camera obscura, we must go back several centuries. The first documented description of this device’s operation is found in the book “Stereoscopes” by Sir David Brewster, published in 1856. The principle involves light passing through tiny holes, with diameters no larger than a pinpoint. This method was even utilized by great medieval scientists. Leonardo da Vinci applied the pinhole technique in his art. Early users of the telescope obscura often suffered eye damage from direct sunlight. This led to the development of the camera obscura, which provided additional shading to protect users’ eyes from the sun.

Interesting Facts

• The visual system of the underwater mollusk known as the nautilus operates on the principle of a camera obscura.
• Vladimir Nabokov, a Russian and American writer, authored a novel titled “Camera Obscura.”
• The first camera obscura equipped with a 45° mirror was developed by Johann Zahn in 1686.

How to Celebrate

On this day, learn more about the camera obscura, its mechanism, and its role in scientific research. Visit museums where examples of this device are on display.

Share information about the holiday on social media. Engage with others to see if they have experimented with using a camera obscura.

When is World Pinhole Photography Day in 2025?

World Pinhole Photography Day is a time to embrace creativity and explore the roots of photography. It will be observed on the last Sunday in April.

Observations