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{{#seo:|description=How to get started making your own holograms}} [[Image:Sandbox_Kit.jpg|right]]The "original" hobbyist's approach to holography was described in the May 1979 issue of ''Physics Education'' as the aptly named ''Sandbox Holography''. Metrologic produced and sold an identically named kit. The kit included some holographic film, chemicals for processing the film, and few lenses and mirrors. Not included were the laser (and at the time, that meant a moderately pricey helium-neon gas laser) nor the sandbox.
Holography is extremely sensitive to movement, even microscopic movement, during the exposure. In conventional photography, movement will blur the image. With a hologram, since movement would completely alter the interference pattern between the direct and reflected laser light, the image can be lost completely. The sandbox was used to help eliminate vibration.
[[Image:Integraf_kit.jpg|right]]Diode lasers, like the ones found in common laser pointers, have completely changed what is needed for a suitable beginner's kit. You still need film and processing chemicals, but your first hologram can be made with no additional lenses or mirrors (because the diode laser beam naturally spreads), and there are some simple techniques developed over the years since the Sandbox kit was first introduced to eliminate the sandbox.
In the new era, sandbox holography has evolved into [httphttps://wwwbooks.holoworldgoogle.com/shoeboxbooks/ about/Shoebox_holography.html?id=BShRAAAAMAAJ Shoebox Holography], and there are now three, relatively economic ways for novice holographers to begin their hobby.
#Buy the ''Shoebox Holography'' book. With that as a guide (or the equivalent information scoured from the Internet) acquire a suitable laser, holographic film, and chemicals and have at it.
#Acquire one of the kits available from [http://www.integraf.com/holography_kit.htm Integraf]. (Film is more difficult to work with than glass plates, so the Standard or Student Kit is much preferred over the Budget Kit.)
#Acquire a diffent different type of kit from [http://www.litiholo.com Litiholo].
For the truly novice holographer, the Litiholo kit is a a bit of an oddity. With it, you can produce your first, interesting hologram. The kit comes with 20 plates, so there is plenty of opportunity for experimentation and the inevitable failure. Be aware, though, it is a self-contained unit. The holographic plates are self-developing, and the configuration is limited to the setups the kit intended.
For the mildly curious individual or the elementary school aged child, the Litiholo kit is fabulous. For the slightly experienced holographer, it is good, if for nothing else than the exposure to polymer photo-materials. For the true beginner, though, it is a little like buying a TV dinner because you wanted to learn to cook. There is not enough "participation" to engage the beginner.
Of the remaining two choices, simply buying a kit from Integraf saves you all the hassle of acquiring the parts individualindividually. Plus you end up with a higher quality laser than what you would get from an ordinary laser pointer. Some laser pointers have stability issues that may be unnoticeable in normal use, but disastrous in holography.
The information that comes with the Integraf kit, or the identical [http://www.integraf.com/a-simple_holography.htm material available from the Integraf web site], or similar articles online, or from texts like the ''Shoebox Holography'' book, covers what to do next. Not much to it, really.
