terraPIN ACME3d-printed pinhole camera I had not done any pinhole photography since the Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day 2024 (WPPD 2024) and embraced the 2025 edition hoping it would get me restarted. As a tradition now, I picked my 3d-printed terraPIN ACME medium format camera as the companion for the day.

terraPIN ACME in ActionBehind the scenes with a pinhole camera It features a handmade pinhole I made by pushing the tip of a tiny needle into a sheet of aluminum harvested from a can of soda (pop for Buffalonians). I did not push it through, just pushed it in enough to create a bump on the other side. Then I sanded that bump off until a tiny hole showed up against the window. If you're interested in the whole background story, feel free to head back to my Custom Made Pinhole for a 3d Printed Pinhole Camera post from 2021.

The simple design of cameras like this one always makes me wonder why traditional film cameras relied so heavily on felt and other materials to keep the light out from the inside. There is nothing like that in here, just simple principles of the physics of light taking advantage of lights reluctance to make turns. Had all cameras been designed around this their aging would be more graceful and less maintenance would be needed.

Hydrant, Pinhole PhotographyWPPD 2025

Hydrant, Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day (WPPD) 2025
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Fuji Acros 100 black and white negative film, D-23

I initially measured and calculated the pinhole at about f/208 but by practical tests determined the hole is even smaller. For WPPD 2025 I decided to go with f/256. By now I know that that even more exposure is needed and will rate it 1 or 2 stops smaller for the next outing.

Dozer & Sun, Pinhole PhotographyWPPD 2025

Dozer & Sun, Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day (WPPD) 2025
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Fuji Acros 100 black and white negative film, D-23

I really did not want to start with the photo you see first in this post as it seemed like a too much of a cliche. In the end, this was my frame #1 as I needed to start somewhere. The whole roll was a challenge and I only managed that one roll. I am happy The Day provided the motivation to go pinholing again but I want to make sure I don't wait another year. It's such a unique photographic flow.

Buoy, Pinhole PhotographyWPPD 2025

Buoy on Land, Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day (WPPD) 2025
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Fuji Acros 100 black and white negative film, D-23

Since I am posting this with a delay I can share that the inspiration has already struck and I have another roll ready to share with you, and I was both excited to go out and did not have to force things along the way. Hopefully my muscle memory is returning and 2025 will be a good year for pinhole photography for me.

Bait Shop, Pinhole PhotographyWPPD 2025

Bait Shop, Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day (WPPD) 2025
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Fuji Acros 100 black and white negative film, D-23

What is so different about it? It can be very simple. The camera itself is just a black box with a tiny hole in the front in place of a lens. It's amazing how such a simple contraption can do so much. Some people build them from cardboard, others reuse boxes from household items, some buy ready-made ones to enjoy the photographic aspect. And in the last decade a new option emerged to 3d print them, either to one's own design or from the designs created and shared by other enthusiasts.

Charlie's Boat Yard, Pinhole PhotographyWPPD 2025

Charlie's Boat Yard, Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day (WPPD) 2025
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Fuji Acros 100 black and white negative film, D-23

Using a pinhole camera can also be very simple. Instead of a large sturdy tripod I used a small pocketable one for these images. A bean bag would have worked just as well if not better solely to be able to freely adjust the camera angle. With traditional photography, I enjoy keeping an undistorted perspective where vertical lines remain vertical, horizon is level, etc. With pinhole photography I actually enjoy breaking all of that and going against the grain with tilts up or down causing plentiful distortions.

Gallagher Pier Roof No 2, Pinhole PhotographyWPPD 2025

Gallagher Pier Roof No 2, Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day (WPPD) 2025
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Fuji Acros 100 black and white negative film, D-23

Another nice benefit of WPPD 2025 was that I visited Buffalo's Outer Harbor after a rather long break. No, I do not want to look how long it has been. It's been a good reminder that I need to explore more and take advantage of the beautiful waterfront the area offers, whether it be around Lake Erie, Niagara River, or other rivers and creeks. Yes, my next expedition should be focused specifically on water.

Under the Pier. Pinhole PhotographyWPPD 2025

Under the Pier., Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day (WPPD) 2025
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Fuji Acros 100 black and white negative film, D-23

Down the Pier, Pinhole PhotographyWPPD 2025

Down the Pier, Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day (WPPD) 2025
Pinhole photography with terraPIN ACME on Fuji Acros 100 black and white negative film, D-23

I hope you've enjoyed this glance into the world of pinhole photography and who knows, maybe you'll try your hand in it too? It's really rewarding bringing back photographs using such an incredibly simple tool, especially in the world full of high-end electronics, do-it-all software, and fake-it-all AI. 

Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy

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