This Book Is a Camera

A playful activity book that functions as a working 4x5" analog camera, complete with detailed instructions, photo paper and and a companion lightmeter app

Authored by artist and designer Kelli Anderson, This Book is a Camera is a pop-up book that turns into a fully functional pinhole camera. It serves as a fun and educational way to learn about the basic principles of light while also making your own photographs. The book concisely explains--while actively demonstrating--how a structure as humble as a folded piece of paper can tap into the intrinsic properties of light to produce a photograph. Easily turn a bathroom or closet in your home into a darkroom and process photos using household supplies (baking soda, instant coffee and water). Your photos will cast your modern life in the warm analog glow of 1840s technology. The book includes: a piece of paper folded into a working 4x5" camera, a lightproof bag, five sheets of photo-paper "film," development instructions (for household ingredients or photo chemicals), a companion lightmeter app for iPhone and Android (but any light meter will do if set to ISO 10 and f/228), and a satisfying demonstration of the connection between design & science/structure & function. Originally published by MoMA in 2015, this innovative bestselling activity book returns to print.
Kelli Anderson is a graphic designer, paper engineer, educator and author who uses design magic to connect people with the hidden talents of everyday things. Her previous publications include Alphabet in Motion (Katherine Small Gallery, 2025) and This Book is a Planetarium (Chronicle, 2017), which houses paper devices (including a planetarium) and has sold more than 100,000 copies.