The Camera Obscura

The camera obscura, Latin for "dark chamber," is an optical device that illustrates how images are formed. It consists of a dark room or box with a small hole (aperture) on one side. Light from the outside passes through this hole, projecting an inverted image of the outside scene onto the opposite wall inside. This effect occurs because light travels in straight lines. The camera obscura has been used for centuries to understand perspective and light and is considered a precursor to modern cameras, helping to lay the groundwork for photography and cinematography.