Pinhole Still Life: Apricots & Grapes by vignouse

Pinhole Still Life: Apricots & Grapes

This is a follow on from yesterday's pinhole image which so many of you made kind comments about. I'm far from a pioneer in this technique: I was inspired by the work of David @yrhenwr but following the tag 'pinhole' will get you lots of examples of others' pinhole images here on 365 - some film based and others digital like mine.

I think the classic pinhole shot is a B&W landscape or architectural shot like yesterday's... but to illustrate the range of this technique, here's a colour still-life snapped straight off our dining table this evening. Not bad for a 0.25mm hole instead of a lens and I think the softness suits this image.

Classically of course, a pinhole image would be captured on film and contact printed with no enlargement thus preserving the native sharpness. An 8" x 10" contact print from a full-plate negative is quite amazing - you can find lots of examples on the 'net... especially on Flickr where there are several dedicated groups.

View this one on black if you have the time and inclination...
I like this so much and especially on the black! Very creative and beautiful! fav
May 29th, 2015  
@yrhenwr Here's a colour one taken under artificial light indoors.
May 29th, 2015  
You're on to some things exciting from here on in!
May 29th, 2015  
@maggiemae Bless you Maggiemae - I like this a lot too but it's been up an hour and had lots of views but no comments... I was beginning to think I had made an error of judgement but you've restored my faith - thank you.
May 29th, 2015  
Wow! Fantastic Richard…if hard to believe that it's a pinhole shot! Beautiful processing - I generally struggle to get such smoothness in my processing!
May 29th, 2015  
@yrhenwr The images are smooth enough in the unprocessed RAW image but very, very soft and lacking in contrast and it's that which is a bit tricky to deal with I find.
May 30th, 2015  
@vignouse @yrhenwr very interested to hear more about your processing for these shots which are quite enchanting. You're upping contrast and sharpness a bit, from the sound of things? And cloning out 'spots'?
May 30th, 2015  
@vignouse We may have different pinhole sizes.. I think mine is 0.4mm. I will look again at my RAW files.
May 30th, 2015  
@vignouse You are right.. smoother in RAW… so I must be roughing mine up in processing! That figures!
May 30th, 2015  
@yrhenwr @jasperc From what I have read, the size of the pinhole and the depth of the material have a big effect on the image quality... small and thin are the desired parameters apparently.

Jasper, you've correctly judged the necessary steps.
May 30th, 2015  
@vignouse I'll have to look out for a smaller, thinner one… mine is quite thick as well as wide… but it was cheap. Where did you find yours?
May 30th, 2015  
@yrhenwr On eBay - it's the Holga one, and comes with front and rear caps and a gold 'Inspected' sticker and all for £12.94 post-paid to France - the UK would be cheaper.! Not sure if it comes in Pentax mount though...
May 30th, 2015  
This is a lovely still life . The fruit loos so inviting. I know nothing of your pinhole tenique but you make it look easy.
May 30th, 2015  
@yrhenwr I forgot to say... beware the one that says it's a genuine HOGLA! The hole plate is held on by three bolts on this one... mine is a contiguous plastic moulding.
May 30th, 2015  
Amazing!
May 30th, 2015  
Wonderful shot and still life and again it has a painterly look to it...it must be the soft finish that gives it that look
May 30th, 2015  
Fav!
May 30th, 2015  
Wonderful image! Yet another technique I will have to research!
May 30th, 2015  
Like this.. Now maybe you can paint it!!!
May 30th, 2015  
Beautifully done!
May 30th, 2015  
I am really enjoying your pinhole shots. Another fav.
May 30th, 2015  
Very nice! All new to me.
May 30th, 2015  
Wonderful pic
May 30th, 2015  
There seems a quick step in your posts as you have found a new technique to learn. I like this one.
May 30th, 2015  
technical aspects aside, I really like the dish of fruit floating silently in the darkness.
May 30th, 2015  
Beautifully done!
May 30th, 2015  
Super lighting on this pleasing still life.
May 30th, 2015  
Lovely capture, Richard.
May 30th, 2015  
It has produced a soft striking image
May 31st, 2015  
Tom
Super fantastic. love the focused light, Great pin hole image4 Richard
June 1st, 2015  
Fabulous on black Richard
June 2nd, 2015  
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