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Reflection on the Magic Mirror of Life
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What a superb site!! This is truly amazing stuff. I can't believe there's so
much of this stuff on my doorstep and I didn't even know it!! Thanks a lot for
setting me straight. I'm off to get some black curtains now to have a go myself!
Diane
Glasgow, Scotland - Monday, December 20, 1999 at 20:25:32 (EST)
Wonderful site! I've been searching for a long time for photos of portable
wooden camera obscuras (obscuri?) And I thought I was the only one with an interest
in building a reproduction until I read all the guestbook entries. My questions
are similiar to many others: What focal lengths work best and where would suggest
looking for "old looking" lenses, i.e. would magic lantern lenses work, or is
there some other type of commonly found lens that would look appropriate and work
on a small portable obscura? Thanks again for the great site!-Fred
Fred Greenspan <greenspan@earthlink.net>
Ossining, NY USA - Monday, December 20, 1999 at 19:52:47 (EST)
My parents-inlaw, Hilda & Percy MARSHALL(now deceased) ran the Camera Obscura(&
Kiosk)at WINDY POINT. This is an elevated vantage point some ten miles(16 kilometres)
south of Adelaide. Unfortunately, about 12-14 years ago, the site was renovated
for the construction of the WINDY POINT RESTAURANT. The old Kiosk & Camera Obscura
were removed. However, if you send me your snail mail address, I will send you
a photograph of what used to be there some forty years ago. This may be a record
at least of what was an excellent tourist attraction on this site. Mr. & Mrs.
Marshall toiled for many, many years for thr tourists, & the Tourist Authority,
but without any help. I have been recently contacted by a professional landscape
architect, & she has a commission to remodel a small part of the WINDY POINT site
& she wants to incorporate an interpretive section, with some plaques, to commemorate
the memory of Mr. & Mrs. Marshall, & what was there before. She wouold also like
to have a Camera Obscura RE-INSTALLED, but that may be a bit ambitious, considering
the costs. BEST WISHES, Norman Kent.
NORMAN S. KENT <arthurdent42@picknowl.com.au>
ADELAIDE, STH AUSTRALIA - Wednesday, December 15, 1999 at 22:52:48 (EST)
Neat site. The camera obscura is a great demonstration of the basci priciples
of photography. I'll have to add a link to my site. I live about an hour from
the Cliff House but don't remember if I've actually been in the Camera Obscura.
I'll have to go take a look again. It would be a shame to lose it. John Shafer
John Shafer <john@photographyreview.com>
Santa Clara, CA USA - Wednesday, December 15, 1999 at 17:14:08 (EST)
a gsreat site but not enough information on precisly how it works and or how
if one was interested build a camera obscura what size lens? angle of mirror?
i feel these things should be available here. thank you
curtis a zastoupil <czastoupil@aol.com>
montebello, ca USA - Wednesday, December 08, 1999 at 18:32:22 (EST)
Bonjour et bravo pour votre site tres interessant. Jusye un petit mot pour
vous dire que je suis le responsable d'un Musªe d'arts et traditions populaires
pres de Toulouse dans le sud de la France. J'ai construit, en suivant les indications
donnªes par Leonardo da Vinci une "Camera Obscura" qui me donne donc l'image õ
l'envers sur le mur opposª au trou par lequel rentre la lumiere. Je reste õ votre
entiere disposition si vous desirez plus de renseignement . Il serait interessant
aussi de parler du peuple Arabe qui õ notre connaissance a ete le premier a untiliser
ce systeme de "Chambre Noire" afin d'observer eclipses et etoiles. Bravo encore
et bonne continuation.
Renaud FERASIN <renaud.ferasin@free.fr>
toulouse, franceUSA - Thursday, December 02, 1999 at 15:28:40 (EST)
As a junior in high school, the pinhole camera project led me on a mission
of my own. My partner Katie and I have just finished converting the wagon bed
of her Volvo car into a pinhole camera. Our first photos came out today. It is
a thrilling experience to see this success, but also we are given a drive to do
better, due to light leaks making our photos fairly foggy looking. We also can't
see much color... is the hole too big? too small? But other than that, the camera
is done. I hope for kudos of extra credit when this grading term rolls around!!!!
Wish us luck on getting some good photos!!
Darcy <york@javanet.com>
Bailey Island, ME USA - Tuesday, November 30, 1999 at 21:44:39 (EST)
is doch albern
elvis
USA - Thursday, November 25, 1999 at 10:06:49 (EST)
I just came across your website by accident- and am now very curious .Before
viewing your website, I had never heard of the camera obscura. I guess the closest
one to us would be the one in Greenport Long Island. I will definately check it
out. Thanks for broadening my horizons! Debbie
Debbie <104055.2346@compuserve.com>
Pittsburgh, PA USA - Thursday, November 25, 1999 at 02:11:13 (EST)
Not everything was explained to the extent that would allow me to understand
but the pictures of the artifacts were interesting enough.
Sarah Jean <sjean14@yahoo.com>
Columbus, TX USA - Tuesday, November 16, 1999 at 14:46:57 (EST)
After visiting your site end of 1998, I created 3 camera obscura's as a sculptures;
shall I send some pictures with e.g. winzipp? Gijsbert Smit
Gijsbert Smit <smitlinders@wxs.nl>
Rossum, Holland - Tuesday, November 16, 1999 at 10:46:08 (EST)
How wonderful it was to visit your website today. I have had a dream to build
my own camera obscura for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately I had no time
or opportunity to pursue this dream. I am originally from Bristol, U.K. and visited
the Clifton Camera Obscura as long as I had the entry fee to get in. Sometimes
I would go there everyday. In fact I was so adicted to the camara that I used
to walk from my home in Henbury (hence my email address) to save the bus fare
to make sure I had more money for admissions. My travels have taken me all around
the world and I have tried to encourage people to visit cameras obscura whenever
possible. I am so glad to see that you are doing such a wonderful job. I find
myself at this time, with time on my hands and I am trying to locate a site in
Saint Paul, Minnesota overlooking the mighty Mississippi River where I might convert
a building for use as a Camera. If I am successful in this endeavor, I will become
a camera operator and try to pass on my passion to our children about an art/science
form which is sad to say likely to pass away. But only over my dead body! Once
again thank you for yout fine work.
Nigel Bath <henburyriver@yahoo.com>
Inver Grove Heights, MN USA - Tuesday, November 16, 1999 at 10:39:56 (EST)
really wonderful site. I turned a dune shack in the National Seashore here
into a pinhole camera and lived in it and took pictures there last summer. Now
I want to make a portable tent. Would appreciate any help/suggestions. I had no
idea there were camera obscuras in Coney island (where I grew up), or hardly anywhere
for that matter. thank you so much for your work.
Marian Roth <mandm@capecod.net>
Provincetown, MA USA - Monday, November 08, 1999 at 17:54:41 (EST)
You have a very interesting site. I was wondering if you, or someone knew when
the oldest reported Camera Obscura was made? Is it possible that there could of
been a Camera Obscura around 30 BC? I saw a report about photos found made from
such camera. Could this be true.
Robert Jenkins <datrebor@jenkins.net>
Hammond, IN USA - Thursday, November 04, 1999 at 10:20:49 (EST)
Many thanks for your most interesting site. I am working in an art project
and searching for the nearest camera obscura to visit (I am living in Basel, Switzerland).
I would be very glad if someone could give me these informations.
R. Voegtli-BossART <rvoegtli@datacomm.ch>
Muenchenstein, Switzerland - Wednesday, November 03, 1999 at 15:47:42 (EST)
We visited the Edinburgh camera obscura in 1977, the only time I've seen one;
it was nice to see your pictures. I had witnessed the effect prior to this in
a house I used to room in. If the window blind was up so that about 1/2 inch of
window was uncovered, there were so many streetlights to illuminate the street
outside that I could watch inverted images of cars passing by, projected on my
bedroom wall.
greg windwick
Victoria, BC Canada - Tuesday, September 07, 1999 at 00:50:29 (EDT)
may i first take this oportunity to congratulate you on an excellent and informative
site, and yes ! i am hooked. so much so that i am now very keen to try and construct
my own camera obscura on top of my roof (which has excellent views of poole harbour).
i would therefore welcome any advice, plans, do`s and dont`s, recommended reading
material, focal length of lense, type of mirrors etc. i am new to the subject
but keen to learn as much as i can... and maybe.. one day when its completed be
in a position to invite any enthusiasts here to view. many thanks in advance.
jaff nouri <jeffnor@ukgateway.net>
poole, ukmay i - Saturday, September 04, 1999 at 13:51:22 (EDT)
I remember, as a young boy in the mid-70's, a camera obscura set up in a house
near where I lived in Chorleywood. The sights were of the entirity of my small
village played out on a table. I know that the camera was in Whitelands Avenue
- one of the longer residential roads in the village - but can not remember exactly
where and who owns it. It was certainly one of the most original uses of an Attic
I have ever seen - and I would love to one day emulate the idea by creating my
own obscura. If anyone knows of this obscura - and has any information concerning
plans for one, please do not hesitate to email me ! Jon
Jon <obscura@spla.sh>
Chorleywood, UK - Thursday, September 02, 1999 at 00:50:28 (EDT)
Enjoyed visiting your site. Thought you might be interested in the following
if not already familiar to you: A new book by Robert Goddard , Caught in the Light
(a mystery) has a great deal about photography, and is the source of my interest
in Camera Obscura. Of course, I was familiar with the term, but as I am not a
photographer-except in the most usual amateur sense-I had never really looked
into it. Have also visisted Lacock, but, unfortunately, was more interest- ed
in the historical aspects of the building & area, than in the photographic museum.
Perhaps I can rectify that over- sight on another visit.
Dorothy C. Lewis <CIARA99IW>
AR USA - Wednesday, September 01, 1999 at 12:28:29 (EDT)
Thanks for providing me with an interesting trip through your web-site. I didn't
even know that camera obscura's existed until I recently visited Dumfries, saw
theirs, and became fascinated. Thankyou once again regards rjb
Robert Baker <robert@stmargaretspoole.freeserve.co.uk>
Poole, UK - Friday, August 27, 1999 at 03:12:14 (EDT)
Did you know that a new Camera Obscura is being constructed here in Bournemouth
which can be seen on the webcam which I accessed at http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk
Mike Crimlis <mikec@roadshow70.freeserve.co.uk>
bournemouth, england u.k. - Thursday, August 05, 1999 at 21:23:42 (EDT)
There is a website with pictures of many different kinds of camera obscura
that were part of an exhibit at The Museum of the History of Science in Oxford.
Included are folding camera obscuras, those with two or three lenes, one that
is hand held, and a picture of a camera lucida. The address is -- http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/cameras/index.htm
L Kirby
USA - Wednesday, July 28, 1999 at 23:05:22 (EDT)
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I have had plans for constructing a camera
obscura for some time now, but did not know how to go about it. Well, thanks
to your site, I will now be able to make one. Thanks again for all the great
information. Oh, this is a GREAT SITE!!!
Phillip Webb <phillip.webb@g0.losrios.cc.ca.us>
Sacramento, CA USA - Tuesday, July 20, 1999 at 21:52:06 (EDT)
I was recently at Thomas Jefferson's home at Montecello and saw a Camera Obscura
on a table top. It was about the size of a small shoe box and projected the picture
the lens saw onto a frosted piece of glass on top the unit (in the same way the
old "Brownie" camera did). The tour guide said these devices were used by artists
in the 17 and 1800's. Do you know where I can get one of these table top models
or what they were called. Are there any plans available with specific details
like lens focal lenghths ect. so that I can have one made?
Thomas Laskowski <kabuki@freewwweb.com>
Cleveland, OH USA - Tuesday, July 20, 1999 at 07:54:03 (EDT)
You may already know of it, Bournemouth Council (Dorset, UK) are currently
constructing a Victorian style Camera Obscurer in their town square at this time.
Brilliant web site, keep it up Mal
Malcolm Ryder <mal.ryder@virgin.net>
Bournemouth, UK - Saturday, July 10, 1999 at 17:01:54 (EDT)
How difficult is it to convert a room into a camera obscura? Does the room
have to be absolutley dark? I'd like to create one for some young students. Will
it work well enough without a lens?
Lisa Kahane <lkahane@interport.net>
NY, NY USA - Friday, July 09, 1999 at 18:04:46 (EDT)
It's sad to hear that the camera obscura building can't remain, or at least
be replaced near the same location. It certainly doesn't take up a lot of space.
Is there an alternate site being considered, such as near the wharf or Pier 39?
Is the effort simply to keep it open at the Cliff House site and nowhere else?
Brian S. Eheler <thaioneon@aol.com>
San Rafael, CA USA - Wednesday, July 07, 1999 at 18:06:49 (EDT)
It is amazing to me that in this day and age of wanting to keep treasures that
represent American life, that we still have jerks on the boards that are supposedly
making decisions for the public on issues which are contrary to what the Public
majority wants! Thier attitude is history be damed! as long as we get $$$$. Think
of the Camera Obscura when you gaze on the hideous Fox Plaza Highrise where once
stood one of the Grandest theaters in the Bay Area!
Andre Vaughn <Andrevaugh@aol.com>
San Francisco, CA USA - Thursday, June 24, 1999 at 16:17:03 (EDT)
There is another Camera Obscura on the Great Orme at Llandudno in North Wales
- its open Sunday to Friday all through the summer. Unfortunately it was closed
when I visited.
GR Astbury
UK - Tuesday, June 22, 1999 at 07:18:58 (EDT)
great site! i don't have my own site, but some of my pinhole photography exists
on the following: http://twister.com/imagegeek/two/page8.html
Irene Kuniyuki <metsubushi@hotmail.com>
seattle, wa USA - Thursday, June 17, 1999 at 05:23:10 (EDT)
Hold your thumb out at arms length and line it up with an object 10 or 20 feet
away. Focus on your thumb. Now focus on the object. Keep them lined up. See how
your eye can focus on your thumb or the object but not both. Now with your other
hand make a small hole and look through it at your thumb while it's lined up with
the object. Now both your thumb and the object are in focus. I don't have to tell
you what you are witnessing- how aperture effects depth of field. This demonstrates
that depth of field is not just something that happens with cameras. It is a natural
phenomenon that occurs in the human eye as well. Camera obscuras serve a great
purpose. They demonstrate the way our eyes, as well as cameras, percieve the world.
Let's build one in Baltimore!
Mitch Kern <mkern1@umbc.edu>
Baltimore, Md USA - Friday, June 11, 1999 at 21:39:58 (EDT)
Hi there I am researching embryonic science in 18c and this currently includes
acoustics, hydraulics and camera obscura in 18c and early 19c. I know that Alexander
Pope had a camera obscura in his grotto in Twickenham, England in the 1720s and
that the 18c grotto designer Mrs Delany had one built in 1740s in her house in
Ireland (built by her optician). There is also a camera obscura, in the collection
of historic buildings at Portmeiron in Wales but I am not sure how old this is.
If anyone knows of any other 18c or early 19c camera obscura, either surviving
or recorded, I should like to hear. Also how they were constructed. I am also
interested in whispering walls (with bouncing echoes) and other early sound effects,
18c water "games", fountains powered by hydraulics and shell grottoes. Congratulations
on your site. I hope to create a similar sort of site, about grottoes, when I
have time....... Hazelle Jackson
Hazelle Jackson <Hazelle.jackson@dial.pipex.com>
UK - Friday, June 11, 1999 at 06:11:22 (EDT)
Thank you so much for your site. Save the Camera Obscura! I was searching for
the person to contact regarding this issue and now I've found it. I visit Ocean
Beach at least 4 times a week and if the Camera were to go away, my heart would
go away with it.
Jim Jenkins <jenkins.jim@bcg.com>
San Francisco, CA USA - Tuesday, June 08, 1999 at 14:16:06 (EDT)
I want to build a camera obscura but have no idea on the process involved.
Can you direct me to resources? Thank You. Jim
Jim Van Horn <m&jvanhorn@thegrid.net>
Atascadero, CA USA - Tuesday, May 18, 1999 at 14:03:16 (EDT)
The S.F. Parks Department should be ashamed of themselves for not holding
on to the Camera Obscura as a San Francisco HISTORICAL TREASURE!
Peggy Vincent <playland@sonic.net>
Santa Rosa, CA USA - Tuesday, May 18, 1999 at 13:45:33 (EDT)
like lucy and mac, i'm familiar with the camera obscura in eger, hungary.
the camera is in the tower of the college's old baroque building; from my office
several blocks away - i taught english at the college for several years - i
sometimes felt as if the "eye" was trained on me (something left over from the
cold war perhaps or too much wine). it's accompanied by an informative museum
and is well worth a visit for anyone visiting hungary.
k <khcumiskey@netscape.net>
nc USA - Wednesday, May 12, 1999 at 11:50:34 (EDT)
Hello, I'm from Italy, i gonna building a small camera obscura in my home.
I'd like to know some information befor to start. For example i need the measurement
of the len i have to use. Please help me. Thank you very much
Matteo Sky
Vicenza, I Italy - Wednesday, May 12, 1999 at 08:01:14 (EDT)
Great web page! I visited the camera obscura in Den Haag (The Hauge) in the
Netherlands three years ago. It was amazing. Court Packer
Mr. Court Packer <packrat82@aol.com>
Webster, NY USA - Saturday, May 08, 1999 at 20:58:42 (EDT)
To take the camera house down at the Cliff House is just another crazy move.Something
of beauty should always remain for both children and adults.I hope someone really
thinks before they make this move.
Sallie Palmer <ROSAL68>
las vegas, nv USA - Saturday, May 08, 1999 at 18:59:33 (EDT)
Lo parabenizo por la iniciativa, pienso que saber como son las cosas del pasado
nos permite entender el futuro.
Paulo de barros <zarapatruz@hotmail.com>
Vit§ria, Brasil - Friday, May 07, 1999 at 16:32:35 (EDT)
Lo parabenizo por la iniciativa, pienso que saber como son las cosas do pasaso
nos permite entiender lo futuro.
Paulo de barros <zarapatruz@hotmail.com>
Vit§ria, Brasil - Friday, May 07, 1999 at 16:31:25 (EDT)
I enjoy your amazing site since a while, as amateur and as journalist. I'm
now writing Pierre Gassmann' biography who founed Pictorail service in tn the
early fifties. I would likie to know the names of the most famous laboratoires
for professionals int that moment in New York and Los Angeles. Could you inform
me about it ? thank you so much.
Herve B. Le Goff <hlegoff@club-internet.fr>
Paris, FRANCE - Sunday, May 02, 1999 at 19:44:51 (EDT)
Over the years, we have visited the Camera Obscuras in Bristol, Dumfries and
Edinburgh, we are interested in building one in the attic of our Victorian house
which is sited on a hill with great views! Does anyone have plans or specifications
for the optics etc. required? Thanks for such a great site. We now have more places
to visit. They have to save the Camera Obscura in San Francisco!
Margaret Graham-Bell <margaretgb@home.com>
Victoria, BC Canada - Thursday, April 29, 1999 at 01:03:38 (EDT)
There is a camera obscura in Eger in the wine growing area of Hungary a very
old and historic site.
Mac <macmcr@pathcom.com>
Canada - Saturday, April 24, 1999 at 15:56:11 (EDT)
I am a bit confused. I had a small portable camera obscura used as a drawing
aide as a youth. I seem to recall the advertisement for it claimed it could be
reveresed to project an image "see a flea the size of a house!". Can a camera
obscura room project a view within the room outward, as upon a nearby wall?
Remy Rimavincus <z007154b@bc.seflin.org>
Hollywood, FL USA - Friday, April 16, 1999 at 19:37:10 (EDT)
very interesting web site, I really enjoyed it. can you suggest any reading
materials for building my own obscura thank you
ryan flathau <x92flathau@wmich.edu>
battle creek, mi USA - Friday, April 16, 1999 at 12:49:25 (EDT)
Foredown Tower Camera Obscura has been operating since 1991 and I have been
collecting information about other camera obscuras for about 5 years. If you require
informtion, a list of camera obscuras, past & present, worldwide or have built
a camera obscura that I can add to the list please write to Mike Feist, Foredown
Tower Camera Obscura, Foredown Road, Portslade BN41 2EW East Sussex, England.
Sorry no e-mail address yet.
Mike Feist
Portslade, England - Tuesday, April 13, 1999 at 13:39:08 (EDT)
What a great web site! I have been a fan of camera obscura for many years and
had visited the one in San Francisco at the Cliff House and had also visited the
one in Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs where I lived for many years. What
a surprise I had when I was vacationing in London last week. We were visiting
the Royal National Observatory in Greenwich and were suddenly standing in front
of a camera obscura! It was magical. Sadly, the camera obscura in Garden of the
Gods in Colo. Springs was torn down sometime within the last 7 years, after I
moved away. I couldn't believe they would do that, so I feel the danger of losing
the one in San Francisco also. I've heard there is one at Lookout Mountain in
Tennessee, but have no details -- hope its still there. On a lighter note to camera
obscura fans -- if you haven't rented the video "Addicted To Love" with Meg Ryan,
you might want to check it out. The hero and heroine build a camera obscura in
an abandoned apartment to spy on their former love intrests across the street.
Interesting story.
Joyce Lohse <inkwell@nilenet.com>
Denver, CO USA - Monday, April 12, 1999 at 18:13:51 (EDT)
I'm designing a portable camera obscura (a fairly large one) and I need information
on where to find appropriate optics. I'd be interested in new or surplus sources.
Also if you know of any good books on the subject, please let me know. Thank you.
Robert Thompson <thompson.252@osu.edu>
USA - Saturday, April 10, 1999 at 23:52:06 (EDT)
Reading through your material and having undertaken a prior search on the net
my question is: are there any modern reproductions that can be bought /or equivalent
tools tio make experiments with a camera obscura? thanks alexander
Alexander mettenheimer <amettenheimer@netscape.net>
Monterrey, nl Mexico - Wednesday, April 07, 1999 at 22:38:46 (EDT)
I am the features editor at an English language newspaper in Hungary and I
am writing about the Camera Obscura in Eger, a small town in northern Hungary.
It was built in 1776 by a man called Miksa Hell to entertain local residents and
can be found, still in perfect working order at the top of a tower in the east
wing of the beautiful C18th Lyceum building. Have you heard about this and would
you like me to send more information? I also have a question. The gentleman who
operates the Camera Obscura, by means of three brass rods hanging from the ancient
ceiling, told me it is one of only eight camera obscura in the world, and he mentioned
Edinburgh, Melbourne and Florida amongst others. I see from your interesting and
informative web site that there are many more throughout the world. Could he have
been referring perhaps to those Camera Obscura built before 1900? I hope you or
your visitors can help.
Lucy Mallows <lucy@bpsun.hu>
Budapest, Hungary - Tuesday, April 06, 1999 at 06:41:37 (EDT)
I am planning to build a camera obscura and have found your web site most useful.
I am now trying to find out the F number other obsucras work at and what I should
be aiming for. If you can offer any help with this I would be most grateful.
Matthew Lane <info@aivaf.co.uk.>
Sheffield, UK - Tuesday, April 06, 1999 at 04:20:28 (EDT)
The information in this website provided us with the knowledge to search out
the Royal Observatory in England. This proved to be one of the highlights of our
trip. Thank you Jack and Beverly!!!
Matt Benedict <mattspopcorn@webtv.net>
Baltimore, MD USA - Monday, March 22, 1999 at 12:15:16 (EST)
A very informative and interesting site. Keep up the great work!!
Joanne <Jo_abs@hotmail.com>
Auckland, New Zealand - Monday, March 22, 1999 at 00:03:27 (EST)
I am an art teacher at Chattahoochee High School and am currently teaching
three levels of Photography. Our instruction begins with discussion of the camera
obscura and construction of a pinhole camera which the students use for numerous
photographic assignments. I find that the use of the pinhole camera develops in
the students an almost inate sense of the effects of light on their subject and
on light sensitive materials. They then carry this with them into the advanced
levels of photography using a 35mm camrea. We have an excellent resource in our
community in Larry Erb of Atlanta who has built a portable camera obscura on a
trailer which he carries to schools in the metropolitan Atlanta area. He also
is a very unique, outgoing personality and dresses in costume typical of photographers
at the turn of the century. He came this year to demonstrate the principles of
the camera obscura to one of our science classes. It was very seccessful.
Ben Hollingsworth <bhollyart@worldnet.att.net>
Alpharetta, GA USA - Thursday, March 11, 1999 at 22:47:31 (EST)
I AM A STUDENT AND INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING A MODEL OF THE FIRST CAMERA OBSCURA
. PLEASE SEND ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY HAVE.
david betancourt <phikaiphi@aol.com>
north babylon, LI, ny USA - Tuesday, February 23, 1999 at 22:21:45 (EST)
I FIND THIS GREAT AND AMAZING INVENTION VERY COMPELLING.I'VE ONLY HEARD STORIES
FROM OLD RELATIVES THE SIGHTINGS OF A CHILDHOOD LONG AGO,THE MASSIVE CAMERA OBSCURAS
TRAVELLED TO IN YOUTH LONG PAST. I'M INTERESTED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO
BUILD A CAMERA OBSCURA(BOX OR TOWER)AND A LIST OF CAMERA OBSCURA SIGHTS IN THE
UNITED STATES.THANK YOU FOR YOUR OWN INTERESTS IN THE C.O. WITHOUT YOU I MAY NEVER
HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH.I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER AND I COLLECT OBSCURE,EXSTINCT CAMERA
AND MOTION CAMERAS OF ALL TYPES.I'M VERY MOVED. CHRISTIAN LEE HANNER 2.20.1999
CHRISTIAN LEE HANNER
<endoftheworld666@hotmail.com>
JACKSON, MI USA - Thursday, February 18, 1999 at 05:24:06 (EST)
Hello there Your web site has been a real pleasure and I have enjoyed it immensely.
I am a director of an investment company that has been invited to submit proposals
for a commercial Camera Obscura that we will be sited right here in Cape Town,
South Africa. Because it will be the newest in the world, it should also have
the finest optics and picture clarity that design-technology can offer. I have
visited Mike Feist at Brighton a number of times and of course have seen the beautiful
early Victorian Camera Obscura in Grahamstown. There is another excellent educational
Camera at Pretoria University. I am extremely interested if any of the many Camera
Obscura enthusiasts out there can offer us help and advice regarding educational
programs. When our Camera is built (October 2000) we will be heavily involved
in hosting hundreds of thousands of school-children each year. For most, this
will be their very first introduction to the "Magic of Mirrors" and to see for
themselves where the "Science of Light" begins. I will provide further details,
pictures and drawings as they come to hand. Any ideas and suggestions will be
gratefully accepted, as we intend to make our Camera Obscura a "Must Visit" site
for all Capetonians, South Africans and foreign visitors alike. Regards Frank
Beerman
Frank Beerman <beerman@iafrica.com>
Cape Town, Rep South Africa - Tuesday, February 16, 1999 at 11:07:30 (EST)
If you mean the oldest building, I think the oldest still operating in the original
building with the original optics may be at Dumfries in Scotland. You will find
a record of our visit at: http://brightbytes.com/cosite/2dumfries.html
It was coverted from a windmill in 1836 by Dumfries and Maxelltown Astronomical
Society as an observatory and camera obscura. We were told that the optics are
original and the only update is the resilvering of the mirror. The camera obscura
on Clifton Downs, Bristol - also a converted windmill dates earlier, from 1829
but I know that it was abandoned for some periods and I am not sure the optics
are original. Anyone who knows of one that is earlier and still operating please
post the information here. Thanks to all who have signed our guestbook.
Beverly Wilgus, Keeper of this Guestbook
USA - Saturday, February 06, 1999 at 16:17:51 (EST)
Apologies if my query was ambiguous. What I meant was, can anyone tell me
where the earliest extant camera obscura is located and when it dates from?
Thanks.
Noel Chanan <chanan@horsehill.demon.co.uk>
UK - Saturday, February 06, 1999 at 14:08:11 (EST)
Do you know what is the date of the earliest extant camera obscura and where
it is located?
Noel Chanan <chanan@horsehill.demon.co.uk>
UK - Saturday, February 06, 1999 at 05:55:22 (EST)
I'm delighted to see that the Camera Obscura is getting the fine presentation
that it deserves! My congrats to you!! A number of years ago, several people here
at Kodak helped construct a lens for a camera obscura that exists(ed?) at the
Children's museum in Maine. You might want to add that to your list of sites to
visit. As for my own folly, I'm the world's leading authority on 19th century
paper boats (but have yet to find anyone who'se interested in disputing that fact,
yet show much interest.) Check my web site if you're a potential competitor.
ken cupery <kcupery@kodak.com>
rochester, ny USA - Friday, February 05, 1999 at 09:56:06 (EST)
Thank you for creating such interesting and useful web pages.I am a member
of an historical (17th C.) reenactment society here in the UK and I intend to
make a portable camera obscura, of the kind with which a disreputable alchemist
might have impressed clients at country fairs, etc. I want to get the materials
as authentic as possible and thus would be grateful for any advice on size or
quality of lenses, etc. - or just a few words from someone with similar eccentric
interests would be welcome - and replied to!
Peter Jennings <prj@poussin.demon.co.uk>
England - Thursday, February 04, 1999 at 10:53:59 (EST)
Greetings, glad to find your site. My name is John I am a photographer
that lives in Portland Me. I recently started volunteering at the Childrens
Museum of Maine where I will help run the camera obscura exhibit. It was donated
by Eastman Kodak and has a 12 inch lens and a 15' focal length there is also
a more standard camera obscura with a simple hole in the wall. the room is located
on the third floor of the building in downtown portland which is the largest
city in Maine. It has a great view of the city and the ocean , being that Portland
is a sea port. If you desire I would be more than happy to send more information,
as well as some photos if you like. I thought you might not of heard of this
site because you did not mention it, but perhaps you have. Also have you been
to the obscura in edinburough Scotland? A girl that works at the museum has
and says that it has a nice view of the castle there. Thank you again for your
site feel free to contact me.
John McNeil <lelliott@thevirtualdesign.com>
Portland, me USA - Sunday, January 31, 1999 at 19:25:04 (EST)
I am doing a science project on the camera obscura and found your site
very interesting. I chose to do my project on this topic because over the December
holidays I had seen a camera obscura in Grahamstown. Grahamstown is a small,historical
city in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The camera is the original
one used by two inventors so that they could find each other in the town. It
is apparently the only working camera in the southern hemisphere. If anyone
visits South Africa they should pay Grahamstown a visit, the camera is built
on a really interesting museum and is worth taking a look at.
J. Williams <jdwilliams@hotmail.com>
johannesburg, South Africa - Sunday, January 31, 1999 at 11:11:01 (EST)
Hi I'm in the 6th grade and this year we are studying light. Everyone had
to pick a supject that had to do with light I picked Camra Obscuras. I whanted
to check the internet for reaserch and came across you web page. I injoyed loking
at it and learning form it
Alethea
Chacago, IL USA - Tuesday, January 26, 1999 at 20:58:55 (EST)
Dear Sirs, I am a photography teacher in the Mukilteo school district.
I have linked to your home page so that my students can see the camera obscura
in San Francisco (where I grew up, and remeber well). I have even made mention
to the camera in my lectures, now I have a visual. Thanks, is it ok I liked
to you? I will give you my page URL when up and running (about 2 weeks)could
you link to me when done and to your liking. James P. Sawyer Visual communications
teacher Mukilteo School District Everett Wa. (by Seattle)
James P. Sawyer <mrvideosawyer@netscape.com>
everett, wa USA - Saturday, January 23, 1999 at 14:15:35 (EST)
There are several books you may find of interest.The first is Shire Album
#216 "Optical Toys" by Basil Hartley. Shire Publications Ltd, Cromwell House,
Church Street, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Bucks HP17 9AJ, UK. This book
cane be obtained in the US from King's Taste Productions, 1039 E Confederate
Ave. S.E. Atlanta GA 30316 for under $10.00. It has an extensive listing of
books on the subject and even longer listing of places to visit housing collections
of optical devices such as the camera obscura. The second book is "The Science
of Art" (optical themes in western art from Brunelleschi to Seurat) by Martin
Kemp, Yale University Press-374 pages with lengthy bibliography on optical devices
used by artists. I am interested in drawing aids used by artists. I have more
information in my files as well as photographs.
Raymond G. Rieser <rrieser@stargate.net>
Lower Burrell, PA USA - Sunday, January 17, 1999 at 14:44:50 (EST)
As an Interior Design student researching camera obscuras for a design
project, I accidentally stumbled across this site, and it has proved to be the
best find yet: lots of info, pictures and history...you're lifesavers. Keep
up the good work!!!
Antje Karl <antje_karl@hotmail.com>
Ireland - Monday, January 11, 1999 at 15:22:17 (EST)
I am a sculpture student and about a year ago on of my professors at school
suggested that I construct a camera obscura. She is the photography teacher
at Armstrong Atlantic State University and her comment stemmed from the nature
of my sculptures. I work in cedar and beeswax and the consistant shape of my
sculptures are boxes that act as a stage for found objects. I listened to her
comment a year ago but tonight in my studio I became obsessed with the idea.
So a year later I am searching for information on how to construct a camera
obscura in the local art school library. I found a few images but nothing real
concrete or detailed. I came home from the library and found your site. I would
gladly appreciate any info you could send me on the table top version and on
costructing a room version. Where would I go about finding lenses?. This is
truly a beautiful site and the examples of so many different styles of camera
obscuras are amazing! I am glad I found you!! kelley j. boyd
kelley j. boyd <Kjboyd11@aol.com>
savannah, ga USA - Saturday, January 09, 1999 at 20:36:10 (EST)
Really enjoyed your site and learned something too. I am a wet plate photographer
and will be opening a studio in Gettysburg Pa. this spring. PS-there is a camera
obscura up for auction on ebay (1-5
Rob Gibson <gibsonfoto@aol.com>
Rochester, NY USA - Tuesday, January 05, 1999 at 23:32:01 (EST)
Hello Could someone tell me about the principle of the camera CLARA? It
is something with a triangular prism, I think, that was used as a drawning help
means. Thank you ! Thibaut Cammermans, Belgium
Cammermans <thibaut@imageplus.be>
Brussels, Belgium - Tuesday, January 05, 1999 at 06:27:58 (EST)
Yesterday was my first time on the Internet looking fot information about
projections in camera obscura. Beverly was so kind to send me back some hints
and internet pages, thank you fot that. In due time I'll try to put some pictures
on internet. As a visual artist I was always intrigued by the many ways you
can undergo a place, a space, a city in it's environments. I was asked to participate
in a project " sixteen Rooms"; 16 artists make use of a room in a former military
hotel for officers. A most depressing rigidity was visible in corridors, rooms
etc..The project is held in s'Hertogenbosch, the home town of Jeroen Bosch.
The mideavel structure of the town is still there. In the middle of the town
is the cathedral st.Jan. The town built in a swamp now overlooks from its bastions
a beautiful swamp. When I lived there this relation of city an landscape inspired
to many paintings and sculptures. In the sixteen rooms project it happened that
the hotel also overlooks " the Bosche Broek" ( Moor), but from a different angle,
outside the former walls, next to the river the Dommel, with a broad road in
front. The lonely rooms, where officers spent their nights, the landscape and
the memories of living in this town ten years ago first led me to make a projection
of the landscape together with the showing of a bronze sculpture called " city
and land " . The projection however of the landscape on polished glass was so
inpressing that I skipped the idea of showing an other sculpture, I left the
room dark with a curtain in the doorhole. The vague rumours of the traffic,
the sun, the eveninglights are for everyone an eyeopener. Always nice to find
people somewhere in the world fascinated by the same experience. At this stage
I am looking for more detailed information on how to work with light, lenses
prismas and soforth, maybe someone can help me with suggestions on how to make
images better. bye, Gijsbert Smit
Gijsbert Smit <ea.Linders@minvws.nl>
Rossum, Netherlands - Saturday, December 26, 1998 at 08:03:00 (EST)
I am enjoying your site very much. My wife and I have had an opportunity
to visit a few of the Camera Obscura in England and Scotland. Is anyone aware
of the availability of plans to build a viewing room. We are going to build
a Victorian reproduction house and might incorporate this in the design. Thank
you.
Mark Johnson <etsnet@ets-net.com>
Charlotte, NC USA - Sunday, December 13, 1998 at 14:35:20 (EST)
actually these web is give me more information as astudent
nor hafiz <are.peace@mailcity.com>
tg.karang, selangor malaysia - Friday, November 27, 1998 at 21:48:31 (EST)
Wow! we never realized how many camera obscuras there were...
Liz and Ali
Oxford, UK - Thursday, November 26, 1998 at 21:07:59 (EST)
As always, you've done an excellent job with your new pages. You're providing
a real service. I hope someday that each of the world's camera obscuras will
be represented; what a project! --John
John Serkin <serkinj@aol.com>
Greenport, NY USA - Monday, November 23, 1998 at 15:47:51 (EST)
I found your page looking for information on zoetropes, thaumatropes, flip
books, and phenakistoscopes. My daughter is 11. She is creating the above for
her science fair project. Do you know where I can find some information on how
to make any of the above?
Tina Cooper <tcooper@cov.com>
Washington, DC USA - Monday, November 23, 1998 at 11:55:49 (EST)
Does anyone know of a technical analysis of the principle of the camera
obscura or pinhole camera, preferably from the point of view of Fourier optics?
George W. Swenson, Jr.
<gswenson@uiuc.edu>
Urbana, IL USA - Friday, November 20, 1998 at 16:22:31 (EST)
You have a fabulous site. I found it looking for kodak collectables I have
really fallen fo rthe obscuras. I had seen some pictures but your site is a
wealth of information. I will be back again and again. The update on the California
COs was great. Thank you, Harry Krehbiel
Harry Krehbiel <harry.krehbiel@fmr.com>
Nashua, NH USA - Monday, November 16, 1998 at 18:50:59 (EST)
Love the site. Particularly the animated GIF of a Camera Obscura Room. Keep
up the good work. Dan R. Golden
Dan R. Golden <drgneon@aol.com>
Cypress, Ca USA - Sunday, November 08, 1998 at 20:15:57 (EST)
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