Redditor builds DIY camera from discarded Coke can, captures stunning shot. Here's how you can do it too

In an extraordinary blend of creativity and sustainability, a video is going viral on Reddit, showcasing how a man turned an empty Coke can and some regular stuff into a fully functioning pinhole camera — capturing a breathtaking long-exposure photograph. The DIY experiment is leaving the internet both stunned and inspired.

The video starts with the man casually picking up what appears to be an ordinary piece of garbage — a Coke can. However, what follows is pure ingenuity. Using nothing more than a pen, tape, and a strip of photographic paper, he transforms the trash into a pinhole camera. By puncturing a small hole into the can and inserting Ilford photographic paper, the makeshift contraption is ready to capture the world in its own unique way.

"This is your film," he explains while sliding the paper inside. "Cover your lens, tape it up, and that's how easy you can make a camera."

Patience is the Secret Ingredient

Unlike modern cameras that snap photos in milliseconds, this low-tech invention requires time — lots of it. The camera is left hidden between rocks in the wilderness for an entire week, slowly recording the sun's movement across the sky in a mesmerizing arc.

The result? A hauntingly beautiful solargraph showing seven days of the sun's journey — an image that feels like a blend of art and science.

Internet Applauds Trash-to-Treasure Innovation

Redditors were quick to praise the project for its simplicity and ingenuity. One user explained the science behind the invention:
"Non-digital cameras work by exposing photosensitive film to light. He made a makeshift camera using photo paper instead of film. With the pin prick letting in such a small amount of light, the paper needed a long exposure time to capture the image."

Another user commented, "He literally turned trash into art — this is some next-level wizardry."

A Vision Beyond Waste

In a world where instant gratification often rules, this experiment reminds us of the beauty hidden in patience, resourcefulness, and the everyday objects we throw away. Whether you're a photography enthusiast or just someone looking to see the world through a new lens, this trash-to-camera transformation proves that art can truly come from anywhere — even a discarded soda can.