Episode Fourteen: The Camera Obscura

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

This week’s episode is about the camera obscura (A.K.A. the pinhole camera). It’s a fun and historical device used by astronomers and artists. You can even make one yourself for safe eclipse viewing.

Also, do check out pictures of Vermeer’s paintings here: Essential Vermeer

Do you think he used a camera obscura to create his art? Does it matter?

Sources:

Hazen, W. A. (1999). Everyday life: Communication. Good Year Books: Parsipanny, N.J.

Patti, T. (2003). Photography: The early stages. PSA Journal. 69 (9), 24.

Steadman, P. (2011). Vermeer and the camera obscura. BBC History. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/vermeer_camera_01.shtml

Williams, N. (2015). 5 insane theories that change how you see great works of art. Cracked. Retrieved from http://www.cracked.com/article_22358_5-crazy-but-plausible-theories-behind-great-pieces-art_p2.html

Image Credit: Erik Gould, Flickr Creative Commons