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Hilda Wehe
"Eclipse"
3" x 2" x 1"
Brass
Piercing, fabrication, chasing, bending, and soldering

"This camera is designed to be a box with a design that will draw the viewers' interest around all sides of the box. The original design was conceived to portray the sun nurturing plant growth. The design took on a life of its own and the appearance of the final piece portrays an eclipse with the pinhole opening in the middle.

To make the box design into a Pinhole Camera it was necessary to make two boxes, which would fit together and be light tight. This was accomplished by having the two boxes open on opposite ends. Once the boxes slide together both ends become closed. The sides of the box are one continuous piece of metal scored and filed in order to fold them. All corners had to be soldered to secure and stabilize the shape before welding on the sides. The top of the outer box is two pieces of metal sweat soldered together (26 and 20 gauge sheeting). The thinner gauge was required in order to have an area thin enough to drill the pinhole.

The box has jump rings made from brass wire so a cord can be attached for the pendant to be suspended around the neck. Brass was used for its strength and durability. The pinhole was drilled into 26-gauge brass sheeting with a #80 drill bit (comparable to a #13 sewing needle), making a pinhole that is 0.343 mm. The average exposure for this Pinhole Box is between 10 and 20 seconds.

The inside of the boxes have been oxidized in order to blacken and dull the brass, to prevent the reflection of light. On the outside the design was oxidized to darken the texturing and detail, and then sanded to highlight the raised areas. A slider with fuzzy Velcro on one side was created to move to cover and expose the pinhole as needed."