Slow Shutter, Fast Rides: A Pinhole Day at Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park – Pinhole Series

Continuing my theme park pinhole series, we headed back to Thorpe Park the other weekend — this time again with my trusty Mia 6x6 pinhole camera in hand, loaded up with Fomapan 100 black and white film.

There’s something about capturing the chaos of a theme park with the calm, deliberate nature of a pinhole camera that I just love. It’s slow, thoughtful, and unpredictable — the opposite of everything around me. And yet, somehow, it works.

Nemesis Inferno

Sharing the first images from the day, I started with one of Thorpe Park’s iconic coasters — Nemesis Inferno.

I set myself up near one of the loops, aiming for a dramatic low-angle shot. With the Mia’s pinhole exposure sitting around half a second to a full second, you can just about make out the blur of the carriage as it races overhead. That subtle ghost of motion is exactly what I love about shooting with pinhole — it captures the energy without needing to be literal.

Detonator

Next up, I positioned myself beneath Detonator — a 100ft vertical plunge.
I timed the shot just as the riders began their rapid descent. With the long exposure, you get a slight blur of movement, adding a real sense of tension to the still image.

Rush

Then came RUSH. Swinging high into the air at 75ft and hitting speeds up to 50mph, this ride delivers up to 4G’s of force. I waited for just the right moment — that split second where the swing pauses at its highest point before hurtling back down. That’s when I captured it.

Quantum

Just off to the side of Rush is Quantum!. I found a small gap and managed to sneak my camera through for a low-angle shot, just as the ride flipped over the top — a nice bit of movement and framing that worked out better than expected.

The Lonely Bumper Car

Wandering a bit, I came across a lone bumper car. No one seemed to want this one. It sat there, perfectly still, waiting to be smashed and crashed. The light was fading fast, but just enough hit the body of the cart to make the shot feel dramatic and a little moody — I couldn’t resist.

Stealth

Stealth — the UK’s fastest launch coaster — blasts from 0 to 80mph in just 1.8 seconds, soaring up to 205ft. It hasn’t been running much this year, but I did manage to get in one ride. Whether it’s running or not, it remains a dominant structure in the park, and it’s impossible to ignore.

Samurai

Lastly, I caught Samurai in full swing, giving its riders a brutal 5G experience. Not for me, thanks — but a brilliant photo opportunity. Also included in the frame the drop on SAW in the distance, with Colossus and the new Hyperia just peeking through. A proper cluster of coaster chaos in one frame.

The Misses (But Still Worth Sharing)

And finally, a few shots that didn’t quite go to plan — but still worth sharing.

First up, the monkey figure from Mr. Monkey’s Banana Ride — charming in real life, but the pinhole exposure didn’t quite do it justice. 

Then there was a slightly awkward angle of a loop from Colossus. I was hoping for a dynamic curve cutting through the frame, but it ended up feeling a bit off. Not every risk pays off!

Lastly, I attempted a reflection shot using the chrome finish of an American-style food wagon — I had visions, But what I got was… this. Still, it was fun to try.

Until Next Time

Another great day of chasing slow exposures in fast places. As always, the unpredictability of film — especially with a pinhole camera — brings surprises, both good and not-so-great. But that’s part of the fun.

Thanks for following along with the series. More theme parks, more film rolls, and more unpredictable frames to come. 

LegoLand next

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