Solargraphy is a unique form of photography that involves capturing the movement of the Sun over an extended period. This is achieved by placing a solargraph camera in a secure location and allowing it to record for days, weeks, or even months. The length of time the camera is left to record is at the discretion of the photographer, who may choose to capture as little as one day or an entire season. According to experts, the ideal period of time for a solargraph camera to record is from solstice to solstice.
To ensure that their cameras were not stolen or damaged, three solargraph cameras were installed on the roof of The Weather Network in Oakville, ON between June 21 and December 21, 2023. The cameras were painted black inside and out to minimize reflections and positioned facing south to track the Sun’s movement across the sky. However, leaving solargraph cameras in public places may result in theft or damage, so careful consideration should be given when choosing a location.
As sunlight passes through the pin hole in the camera, it creates a bright line of exposure on the photographic paper whenever the Sun is shining. The Earth’s motion along its orbit causes the Sun’s path to shift by approximately 1 degree each day, resulting in a unique line of exposure being traced across the image for each day recorded by the camera. Clouds obstructing
