What is the purpose of a camera obscura?

The purpose of a camera obscura is to project outside images onto a surface. This optical device consists of a darkened room or box with a small hole (aperture) on one side, allowing light from an external scene to enter. The light projects an inverted image of the outside scene onto the opposite surface within the dark space.

This phenomenon relies on the principles of optics and the travel of light, allowing an artist or observer to trace or study the projected images. Historically, the camera obscura has been used as a tool for drawing and understanding perspective, as well as an influential stepping stone in the development of photography.