Legacy Project to Create the Largest Photo in the World

Bigger is better, right? So say those who are embarking on creating the largest photograph ever taken.

At the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Irvine, California, six photographic artists are trying to do just that-create photographic history. These few members of "The Legacy Project" are poised to produce the world’s largest camera that will then be used to create the world’s largest photograph, entitled “The Great Picture.”

To do this, their team will be augmenting a giant aircraft hangar into the world’s largest "camera obscura” that will then be used to create a 3,024 square-foot photograph. This will be the largest single photo made on a single light sensitized surface. The entire process will involve a 5-10 day exposure directly onto a 31’ high by 111’ long piece of specially created light-sensitive fabric special-ordered from Germany. To do it, they’ll only need 200 gallons of traditional B&W developer, 400 gallons of fixer, and a developing “tray” 114 feet x 35 feet, and 4 inches deep.

This one-of-a-kind photographic print will display the control tower, twin runways, the heart of the future Orange County Great Park, and the adjacent San Joaquin Hills. Anticipated completion of this project should be early July. And who said traditional film was over?

For those who have never experienced images created from a camera obscura, or pinhole camera, as it’s also known, let’s roll the clock back a few years -- a few thousand to be exact. Much of Leonardo Da Vinci’s success was due to the use of the camera obscura technique to assist him in creating many of his images. For those of you who thought his talent was due to divine inspiration, let’s take a closer look.

One exposure with some Legacy members and friends-Rob Johnson, Joshua Johnson, Luisa Johnson, Douglas McCulloh, Clayton Spada, and on site photographer, Grace Suphamark. This exposure was 30 seconds @ ISO 1600. © 2006 Grace Suphamark

Camera obscura (Latin for "dark room") existed long before the discovery of the conventional cameras that we know of today. But this primitive technology is largely responsible for establishing the basis from which all cameras have evolved.

Here’s how it works. When light is controlled through a pinhole (or lens) it enters a darkened chamber. An inverted image of what is outside the chamber then appears on the opposite wall. From there, the artist can then draw the image on paper or capture it by using light-sensitive materials such as film. Maybe it’s a bit of smoke and mirrors, but it certainly made the artist’s job easier.

Want to see a smaller one in action? If you’re in the Santa Monica area of Los Angeles, there’s a camera obscura in Palisades Park at the Senior Recreation Center located on the second floor. Enter the chamber and view the surrounding areas as you see them projected on the walls around you. From this perspective, you can get an idea of the magnitude of The Legacy Project.

Legacy Project members and volunteers help coat the cloth with gelatin sizing and raise it into position. Image shot in front of the "hanger/camera" and displaying the pinhole device about 15 feet up in the center of the hanger doors. © 2006 Grace Suphamark

The Guinness Book of World Records has verified that the giant camera and 3,024-square-foot photograph will probably set a new world record, which should be confirmed upon completion of the project.

For you collectors, limited edition prints of The Great Picture are being created by The Legacy Project to help offset the cost of this massive endeavor. Each piece will be custom printed with Ultrachrome inks on archival paper and will be signed and numbered by all six artists.

The Legacy Project photographers are all renowned photographic artists. They include: Jerry Burchfield, Mark Chamberlain, Jacques Garnier, Rob Johnson, Douglas McCulloh, and Clayton Spada.

Camera Obscura in Santa Monica:
1450 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica 90401
(310) 458-8644