Exposure


	The Point and Pray System Exposure Values for Pinhole Photography by Kent H. Nunamaker

Welcome to the murky world of pinhole picture making. If you're new to the phenomenon, then you should find the following information helpful. Using a camera that has no lens, viewfinder, focusing aids, or exposure meter, requires a great deal of faith. As such, it should qualify as a religious experience. It seems that meters can't handle the minuscule apertures, and excessive times necessary. Pinhole photo books have devoted whole chapters to the problem. Everyone practising pinhole seems to have their own system, and most work, more or less, but what's needed is a simple, foolproof method that anyone can use. I have, therefore developed what I call he Point and Pray System. This system works well in daylight conditions, and with slight adjustments, should handle any lighting situation you might want to take photographs in. To use this system, you must first memorize the following;

The Lord's Prayer

Our father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory.
Forever and ever.Amen

Once memorized, it should take about 20 seconds to recite. Now, with the camera pointed at the subject, and steadied on a suitable tripod, use the following procedure to obtain the correct exposure time. For average subjects in bright sunlight, recite the Lord's prayer once. With light overcast conditions, recite it twice. Heavy overcast, four times. Open shade, try eight times. Pinhole photos indoors, or after dark require much more prayer. For an all night exposure, you might need the entire new testament. These times are based on the use of medium speed films, if you use high speed film, I'd suggest you pray faster. The Point and Pray System (also called the conversion method), calls for Divine intercession, and as a result, cannot help but improve your pictures. It also serves to introduce pinhole photographers to the religious experience, and God knows, they could certainly use that. This system has enabled me to overcome my dependence on a wristwatch, and allows me to concentrate on other, more esthetic aspects of photography, such as subject matter, composition, whatever. I can even take pictures now, with my eyes closed! With Polaroid film, you can pull the tab, wait a minute, and voila' another miracle. So, if you're having a problem determining exposure times, try the Point and Pray System. You may find it inspirational..