At the begining of 2008 I came across an interesting article on Hactivist.com that featured instructions for turning a used disposable camera into a portable projector. After months of thinking about the post (procrastination) I finally took an opportunity to test the instructions and my skill with a sautering gun (correction: my sautering gun, my knack for giving myself 3rd degree burns, and my friends skill). I was particularly interested to see how much the creation of one camera/projector would cost (Hactivist claimed less than $10 per camera/projector) as well the functionailty of the projector in terms of  future use for a more unconventional outdoor campaign.

When I was finally able to devote some time to this project I was only able to find two worthwhile online resources to aid in my attempt to create an army of cheap, formidable looking, projectors. These include the original article on Hactivist.com and a seemingly detailed Flickr set that I had not previously seen. Both sources appear to be very detailed, listing steps to acquire old disposable cameras as well as providing diagrams of camera circuit boards, potential problems, tools needed, etc. There was a signigicant lack of results however. Hactivist does provide one quick video that showcases the final product - which was all I needed to get excited. After careful review of the diagrams and tools needed for the project (and the enlistment of a friend that actuallys knows his way around a circuit board) the first step was collecting a variety of spare parts.

I went to a local pharmacy that has a 24 hour development lab and told the attendant that I was working on a 'project' and if I might have several, if any, of the used disposable cameras. I was expecting to have to explain myself (and was a little dissappointed when I didn't have to because I had crafted an elaborate excuse) but the attendant was more than willing to help. As a consequence I received a box of 30 or 40 used disbosable cameras (visions of wild projections happening at every street corner suddenly filling my mind) at no charge.

The next step was to pick up some of the necessary parts in order to properly rewire the existing circuit board of the disposable camera. As I mentioned before, Hactivist.com provides a list as well as a circuit diagram. They also reference the total cost of the project (assuming a free camera) to be around $10. This is, of course, assuming that you already have some of the more basic equipment such as a sautering gun. It was at this point that the frustration began. First of all, as detailed as the instructions are - they do NOT list specific part numbers for every necessary item. For anyone with a mediocre level of experience I'm sure that this isn't much of an issue. For my newly assembled team of experts, however, it meant a two hour foray delving into bins, draws, and racks of transistors, capacitors and the like in an attempt to find parts that 'might work'.

With the necessary parts purchased and the cameras in tow (the Natural Light was my addition) we set about arranging our materials and taking a closer look at some of the cameras we were about to dismantle.