Without confirming, we’ll take a leap and state that this might be the initial endeavor showcased here with a BOM containing “a Parisian residence offering a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower.” While it’s possible that such a large camera obscura could function in other locations worldwide, you can’t deny that the vista is quite magnificent.
Essentially, a camera obscura is a dimly lit chamber — that’s the literal translation from Latin — furnished with a small opening to permit light from the external environment. This casts an inverted image on the opposite wall, which would have appeared truly enchanting to people before modern technology and still captivates viewers today. In any case, it presents a simplistic method of observing the world from a different perspective. Mathieu Stern opted to revolutionize the conventional design of his camera obscura. Quite literally — he aimed for an erect image. Fortunately, he sourced a provider that manufactures specialized optical elements for camera obscura to fulfill his aspiration. It seems the optic incorporates a Dove prism to overturn the image, or in this instance, to rectify it into an upright position.
The key innovation here was pinpointing the ideal location with the precise view of the Eiffel Tower — a considerable challenge in a historical city where thoroughfares trace unconventional paths, and edifices obstruct direct lines of sight. In due course, Mathieu located the perfect spot. By utilizing a bit of aluminum foil to truly obscure the rented lodging and strategically positioning sheets to enhance the projection surface, he succeeded in displaying stunning images of the landmark and the adjacent urban landscape in a panoramic fashion on the walls of the apartment. The included video below exhibits some captivating stills and time-lapse sequences.
We’ve encountered other camera obscura variants previously, such as this portable edition, which might have simplified matters for Mathieu, although at the expense of relinquishing much of its original charm.
Image Source: Jeroen Coelen@Twitter
