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camera lucida
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Has anybody got any idea how to make camera lucida
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http://www.newcastle.edu.au/discipline/fine-art/theory/a nalysis/an-orig2.htm
here's the first page
And the link on the first page goes here.
here's the first page
And the link on the first page goes here.
The easiest way is, on a sunny day, to block all the light out of a room and make a pinhole in the window blind. You will see an inverted image of the outside world on the opposite wall.
The more portable devices use prisms and lenses to portray an image onto (usually) a flat surface, enabling an artist to produce a “traced” version of the image.
I would suggest that to make an accurate one of these devices is probably a bit tricky for the average DIYer. I believe you can buy a new one for about �100.
The more portable devices use prisms and lenses to portray an image onto (usually) a flat surface, enabling an artist to produce a “traced” version of the image.
I would suggest that to make an accurate one of these devices is probably a bit tricky for the average DIYer. I believe you can buy a new one for about �100.
Click here for actual instructions on how to make one for yourself, based on an Adam Hart Davies science programme for the BBC.
The site I linked to this morning has now disappeared. Not to worry...this is what it said...
What you need:
Handbag type mirror - about 5cm x 7.5cm, or smaller
Similar size piece of glass or clear plastic (be very careful to ensure all the sharp edges have been polished off as this will be near your eye)
Paper and pencil
Protractor
Modelling clay
Sticky tape
Epoxy glue
Piece of dowel or knitting needle for shaft
Wine bottle or similar, with sand or water to weigh it down
Wine cork
What to do:
You need to fix the glass and mirror together along their long edge, at an angle of 135 degrees. First make a template by using a protractor to draw two lines at 135 degrees to one another on a piece of paper. Then position your piece of glass and mirror along these two lines so the long edges are touching. Stabilise them by using blue sticky stuff or modelling clay firmed in round their bases. Firmly glue the two touching edges together with Epoxy glue. Check the instructions on your glue to make sure you know what the setting time is and how to make it up. Smear the glue over the joint, being careful not to get too much on the face of the glass as this will obscure your view. I had a little difficulty getting my two edges to stick securely, so you might need to apply a second layer of Epoxy glue before trying to move your mirror and glass from the template. Alternatively, you could experiment using other types of glue as long as they set rigidly.
...(continued)
(continued...)
When your adhesive is set, you need to fix a shaft along the glued edge of your glass and mirror. Before you do this, think which hand you're going to use to draw. The camera lucida is used with the mirror flat, and the glass pointing up and closest to you. You don't want to be knocking into the bottle as you draw so if you draw with your right hand you will want the bottle on the left and thus the shaft out to the left. Secure your shaft in place with sticky tape and glue - its best if you can remove the sticky tape after gluing so you don't obscure your view.
You now need to mount your camera lucida on a stand. I find an empty wine bottle with a cork sticking out the top does the job perfectly well. Carefully make a hole in the cork and push your shaft through. Put some water or sand in the bottle to weigh it down, then reinsert the cork. If the wine bottle is too high for you, find a smaller bottle to fit your cork into.
Now you just need to set yourself up in a comfortable position, with a piece of white paper positioned under your camera lucida. Place your eye close to the piece of glass so you can see an image reflected in the glass but also through the glass onto the paper. As the image in the glass has been reflected twice, by the mirror and the glass, it will be the right way up so all you have to do is trace round the image on the paper. You might take some time to get used to it, as you have to avoid focusing on the paper and concentrate on the image, your eye not being able to focus on two things at once. You may also have to experiment with light conditions, as this is something you can't control with the camera lucida. Nevertheless, for landscapes and buildings I've found the camera lucida to be surprisingly effective. It really is a device that helps people who can't draw to draw.
When your adhesive is set, you need to fix a shaft along the glued edge of your glass and mirror. Before you do this, think which hand you're going to use to draw. The camera lucida is used with the mirror flat, and the glass pointing up and closest to you. You don't want to be knocking into the bottle as you draw so if you draw with your right hand you will want the bottle on the left and thus the shaft out to the left. Secure your shaft in place with sticky tape and glue - its best if you can remove the sticky tape after gluing so you don't obscure your view.
You now need to mount your camera lucida on a stand. I find an empty wine bottle with a cork sticking out the top does the job perfectly well. Carefully make a hole in the cork and push your shaft through. Put some water or sand in the bottle to weigh it down, then reinsert the cork. If the wine bottle is too high for you, find a smaller bottle to fit your cork into.
Now you just need to set yourself up in a comfortable position, with a piece of white paper positioned under your camera lucida. Place your eye close to the piece of glass so you can see an image reflected in the glass but also through the glass onto the paper. As the image in the glass has been reflected twice, by the mirror and the glass, it will be the right way up so all you have to do is trace round the image on the paper. You might take some time to get used to it, as you have to avoid focusing on the paper and concentrate on the image, your eye not being able to focus on two things at once. You may also have to experiment with light conditions, as this is something you can't control with the camera lucida. Nevertheless, for landscapes and buildings I've found the camera lucida to be surprisingly effective. It really is a device that helps people who can't draw to draw.
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