Notes:

1. Darkroom set up.

This laboratory requires a darkroom for loading and processing the film. An actual photographic darkroom is not necessary, it is possible to make a temporary darkroom, sufficient for this lab, from a room which can be darkened that has running water.

2. Recommended darkroom facilities: one darkroom per 12 people.
3. Darkroom Facilities: Minimum darkroom requirements:
• Red or Orange Safelight
• Running water
• Timer
• 4 Trays for processing film
• 4 Tongs for handling film during processing
• Paper towels
• Light-tight container for holding photographic paper.
4. Darkroom Chemicals. These chemicals are sufficient for 48 people to process negatives and positives. It allows several attempts per person.
• Kodak Dektol Developer ( 1 gal per 24 people)
• Kodak Indicator Stop Bath (approx. 3-4 oz.)
• Kodak Rapid Fixer (2 gal. per 24 people).

Prepare chemicals per instructions included on the packages.

5. Film and Photographic Paper. The pinhole camera uses black and white photographic paper for both the negative and positive. The recommended photographic paper is:
• Illford, Mulitgrade III, RC Rapid, MGR.1M, Glossy Brilliant, Catalog 157 7806.

A resin coated paper is recommended for ease of processing and washing.
Paper is most economically purchased in 8 x 10 inch sheets and then cut to 4 x 5inches for use.
In preparing photographic paper, plan on at least 2-3 attempts per person before. A group of 24 people would need approximately 60 to 70 pieces of 4 x 5 paper.

6. Exposure times. Using the Illford, Mulitgrade III, RC Rapid, MGR.1M photographic paper as film for the pinhole camera, the following exposure times are recommended. These have been determined experimentally. The exposure time is based on both the camera f-stop number and available light measured in footcandles. If a light meter is not available then, as an approximate rule, a light level of 1000 can be used for full sun. The results are not highly dependent on exposure time, a variation of up to 25% can still lead to satisfactory results.
7. It is useful to include a sample camera, if available, for each group of 4 people for use as a reference during camera construction.
8. Coffee Can Cameras. Metal coffee cans, with a lid, are suitable for use as a pinhole camera. The following additional supplies are needed.:
• Black construction paper to line inside of can to reduce reflections.
• A punch or a few large nails to pierce the side of the can. An electric drill can also be used.
• Hammer
• Screwdriver to flatten any burs around the hole pieced in can.
9. Camera materials needed in the darkroom. It is useful to have extra materials available in the darkroom to facilitate mounting the film, closing the cameras, and repair of faulty cameras.
• 2 Rolls of aluminum foil
• 4 Scissors
• 1 knife
• A supply of large rubber bands.
• A selection of tape: Cellophane tape, masking tape, duct tape.
10. A supply of bricks or other mass of about 2 kg (5 lbs) is needed for use in holding the camera steady during the exposure.
11. Several stopwatches are useful to have available for use in timing exposures.
12. Common Problems: After processing the negative, some of the common problems which occur are:
• Negative totally black. Light leak in camera. Check seals especially around the top.
• Negative blurry. Camera moved during exposure. Secure by placing a brick on top of camera.
• Negative very light. Underexposed. Check f-stop calculation and exposure time.
• Negative light. Film mounted backwards. Make sure light-sensitive part faces the pinhole.