terraPIN ACMEterraPIN ACME, Kodak T-Max 100 For the recent roadtrip I packed cameras in a similar way as for most vacations. For years, I have been going fairly lightweight and I find that simple and freeing and see no reason not to stick with it. I take one 35mm camera for color film, and one for black and white film. The cameras vary trip to trip to make sure they all get used. For this trip, my Minolta Maxxum 5 was designated for the color film. I like the color to be auto focus to make it quicker and more accurate for family member photos. For black and white, I packed the Nikon FE2, which has seen a lot of attention this year. I'll need to go back to my original and trusty FE soon.

However, since this was a road trip and no flying was involved, I had the option to throw in something different for a change of pace and I did. My 3d-printed terraPIN ACME is very light, takes up no space, and is a wonderful addition for travels. It provides a nice addition to the mix of photographs from my main film cameras and the cell phone snaps.

Boardwalk ShopsPinhole Photography from OBX 2025

Boardwalk Shops, Duck, NC
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Kodak T-Max 100 black and white negative film, D-23 developer

Not only did I pack it but I also used it, even if just with a single roll of black and white film. I split the roll about half and half between the beach and a pier and the wonderful town boardwalk at Duck, North Carolina. And it turned out that it was also the roll I was the most curious about once back at home as I developed and scanned those 12 squares first. I am glad I've been back to doing more pinhole photography in 2025 and hope that trend will continue. It's simple, it's freeing, and when I get philosophical I like to say it is quite similar to the world I see when I take my glasses off. In fact, the pinhole camera photos from the terraPIN ACME are sharper than my blurry world seen without glasses.

Tied WoodPinhole Photography from OBX 2025

Tied Wood, Duck, NC
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Kodak T-Max 100 black and white negative film, D-23 developer

The beach where we stayed featured an ugly pier on giant metal posts. Not a beauty as some of the Outer Banks piers on zigzag wooden legs placed seemingly in a completely random fashion. However, its ugliness and a different look from the better looking and known ones was also a special draw. I did not want to start my pinhole roll there as I suspected I might use up the hole roll there.

Shop InsidePinhole Photography from OBX 2025

Shop Inside, Duck, NC
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Kodak T-Max 100 black and white negative film, D-23 developer

Instead, I took the terraPIN ACME on a walk to Duck where I knew the boardwalk and its surroundings would provide very nice urban and natural treasures. In fact, there were so many photographic opportunities I had to watch out for having some room left for the ugly duckling.

Picturesque Cypress TreePinhole Photography from OBX 2025

Picturesque Cypress Tree, Duck, NC
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Kodak T-Max 100 black and white negative film, D-23 developer

This tree, and a few other picturesque ones along the boardwalk, continue standing in what I'd think are terrible conditions. It often amazes me what Mother Nature can create and sustain. Now that I am typing this another example comes to mind; the trees at the edge of the Horseshoe Falls, especially in winter covered with ice. How's something like that even possible?

Fishing RodsPinhole Photography from OBX 2025

Fishing Rods, Duck, NC
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Kodak T-Max 100 black and white negative film, D-23 developer

These fishing rods in front of a fishing store were a completely unplanned subject that was simply too good to pass on with the repetition and convenient ground level outside placement. Just had to watch out for people going in and coming out of the store, we would not want anyone spooked by the little black box, would we?

DocksPinhole Photography from OBX 2025

Docks, Duck, NC
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Kodak T-Max 100 black and white negative film, D-23 developer

Alright, piers and docks may be cliches but who cares? And this one with its double T, kind of like the top of. utility pole, offered a nice unique symmetry. That also worked really well with the wide focal length of this camera, which cause a significant exposure difference between the center of the photograph and its edges. It seems this photo just would not be what it is without the pronounced vignetting.

Through the PierPinhole Photography from OBX 2025

Through the Pier, Duck, NC
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Kodak T-Max 100 black and white negative film, D-23 developer

Alright, to close today's pinhole photography post we are on the beach by the ugly pier. It's a scientific pier of the US Army Corps of Engineers, a Field Research Facility. This the function over form. But as I said, that also gave it its own appeal and uniqueness. Photo number 1, a traditional centered symmetry of the pier. Well, almost. I had to raise the camera up for some distortion to give the photo a different take. And since the perspective is a guessing game with no viewfinder or back LCD, the photo moved a bit off center too.

And then I decided to go for something a bit more different and allowed the pier to move off to the side. That might even be quite natural with a rectangular format where the rule of thirds is often successfully used but with square, I hesitated. And then I went for it anyway.

Off Center PierPinhole Photography from OBX 2025

Off Center Pier, Duck, NC
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Kodak T-Max 100 black and white negative film, D-23 developer

And I must admit I like the result. It's curiously uncomfortable and it's growing on me compared to the more traditional take above. It may even find its way to my darkroom for an uncomfortable print.

Thanks for stopping by!

Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy

More of my Pinhole Photography ...

Flooded Jagged GapsPinhole photography by the lake Bow Up from WaterPinhole photography by the lake Five and a Half RocksPinhole photography by the lake

Pinhole Refueling TruckPinhole photography in Buffalo, NY Pinhole Lemonade WagonA pinhole photograph of a lemonade wagon in Buffalo's Canalside.

Photograph captured with terraPIN ACME, a 3d-printed pinhole camera designed by Todd Schlemmer, on Fuji Acros 100 black and white negative film and developed in home made D-23 developer.