Natura Obscura, Barry Duggan

'Pinhole photography is perhaps the most basic form of photography. Essentially, all that is required is a light proof box with a tiny hole on one side and some photographic paper or film on the opposite side. Light enters through the pinhole and an inverted image is projected onto the film. 

The experience of shooting pinhole is like no other type of photography. There is no viewfinder to compose the image. There is no light meter to gauge the required exposure time, and therein lies its beauty - the lack of control adds an element of surprise. The fact that a photograph can be produced without any electronics or lens has always fascinated me. 

The images produced have a distinctive, ethereal appearance. Soft focus, strong vignettes, and imperfections such as distortions and colour shifts all add to its unique character.

This stripped down type of photography can be applied to various genres; however, it is perhaps best suited to what I mostly photograph - nature. For many years I have enjoyed taking landscape and seascape photographs whit both analogue and digital cameras, but I feel a greater connection to the natural world when using a pinhole camera with a roll of film. Nature is without doubt, the greatest source of inspiration for me, and my appreciation for all its facets continues to grow and develop. Its colours and textures constantly provide new compositions and ideas for me to create images.' (Words by Barry Duggan)

Self Published
Softcover 
24 pages
210 x 210 mm