Fox Cities News

Interest in science, technology, and photography has led Lawrence University alumnus Brian Bartel to explore the campus and universe through a unique lens. Bartel, a 1997 graduate and current science instructor, has developed an interest in Solarcan—a method for capturing long-exposure photographs that trace the sun's path across the sky.

“It’s something we take for granted, and I think it really showcases a part of our world that we see every day, but we don’t really appreciate,” Bartel said.

Bartel's career began after he graduated with a biology degree from Lawrence University. He taught at Appleton West High School for 15 years before transitioning to his current role in the Appleton Area School District, where he assists teachers with classroom technology integration. Beyond teaching, Bartel co-hosts Lab Out Loud, a podcast focused on science education.

“Science has always been a hobby as much as a passion for teaching it,” Bartel said. “We would meet people along the way who had—I might call them ‘science toys’—and so I found the Solarcan along some of my explorations and wanted to try it out.”

The Solarcan camera is simple: it consists of a can with a pinhole and photosensitive paper inside. Light enters through the pinhole and imprints on the paper over time. This process requires no digital components or batteries but allows photographers to capture extended exposures ranging from weeks to months or even up to a year.

“There’s a little bit of processing,” Bartel explained. “I have to not only invert the colors, but I have to flip the image as well. And technically, there’s not really color to it, but I can add a little color. I try not to go above and beyond what the true image looks like. There’s an art in there as well when I do the processing.”

Bartel first experimented with this technique at home before expanding his project locations—including sites overlooking Reid Golf Course in Appleton and his parents' home near Onalaska, Wisconsin.

In collaboration with Doug Martin, associate professor of physics at Lawrence University, Bartel installed Solarcans on campus landmarks such as Youngchild Hall in June 2023. These installations included assistance from Scott Breyer from the facilities team.

“He was eager to help me out,” Bartel noted about Martin's involvement.

By June 2024, additional cameras were placed atop other university buildings like Music-Drama Center and Memorial Chapel—capturing iconic views including Kohler Hall and Main Hall.

Bartel continues seeking new installation sites while also pursuing potential grants via Appleton Education Foundation for student-involved projects using Solarcans.

“It’s absolutely a learning experience,” Bartel shared enthusiastically about showcasing results from these experiments: “I love showing them off because people are amazed when they see ‘This is what sunlight looks like.’ We know days get longer during summer versus winter; here’s how you measure those changes over time.”