Recent DIY Articles

Is It Time for Funtography? Re-Imagining Nintendo’s First Camera Effort

When I was growing up, Nintendo's Game Boy was all the rage. I never did quite understand the appeal then of its Game Boy Camera accessory, a camera that plugged into the cartridge slot to make .014-megapixel black and white images, but the accessory itself has become somewhat of a cult hit.

How to Build a Simple, Affordable Home Photography Studio

Having a photography studio at home doesn't mean investing in tons of gear or a big space. It's about making the most of what you have and learning to create professional-quality photos with limited resources.

Turning a Kid’s Camera Into a Unique Shooting Experience

A tiny digital camera made for kids has unexpectedly become a hit with adults who want a simple, screen-free shooting experience. But what if it could be more than just a toy? One creator decided to take this little camera and push it to its limits, transforming it into something completely different—and way more fun.

DIY Theatrical Portraits: Using a Spotlight

I've been seeing spotlights used in shoots everywhere, so I wanted to jump on the trend and put my own twist on a spotlight shoot. Here’s how my creative partner, David, and I created a theatrical portrait session using a spotlight.

This Photographer Built His Own Lens and The Results Are Gorgeous

Creating your own DIY lens for photography can be both simple and surprisingly effective. With just a few materials—some drainage pipe, magnifying glasses, and a little ingenuity—you can build a lens that opens up new creative possibilities. The idea here isn’t about high-end equipment but rather about experimenting, learning, and having fun with a setup that’s low-cost and custom-made.

I Shot the Solar Eclipse on Film With a Hasselblad 500 C/M

Across the vast millennia of human existence, the total solar eclipse remains the most spectacular and celebrated of astronomical phenomena. As the blue sky dimmed, I suddenly decided to shoot the 2024 solar eclipse on black and white film using my trusty Hasselblad 500 C/M.

DIY Color Backdrop Product Photography

It seems that the genre of product photography is booming right now. I come across hiring ads for product and e-commerce photographers all the time. With e-commerce being such a big market, or at least where I live, there is a lot of need for product photographers. I learned the basics of photographing products many years ago, and it has come in handy several times.

How To Print Your Photography at Home: The Basics

If it’s not on paper, it’s not a real photograph. You must’ve heard this sentence at least once in your photographic journey. For many, it rings true. The best way to appreciate our captures is to hold them on a physical paper. But how to best print at home? Which printer to get? How to use it?

Model Versus Slime: Using Slime in a Photoshoot

Doing a photoshoot with slime was my Nickelodeon-inspired childhood dream come true. We used 20 gallons of blue slime in this shoot, and it created some wild photos.

Building Custom Photo Frames for a Gallery Show

Having a gallery show is a dream for most artists and photographers, and for my husband, David, and me, that dream finally became a reality. We had to figure out how to build professional looking custom frames for the show!
A Colorful DIY Photoshoot Backdrop Under $25

Sometimes, the simplest ideas can create some really cool images. Here’s how I created a fun and colorful DIY photoshoot backdrop for less than $25.

Crazy Cosmic Photoshoot Using Metallic Spandex

Can metallic spandex work in a photoshoot? See how we built an entire photography set using metallic spandex and some of the challenges we faced along the way.
Hack a GoPro Into a Multi-Lens Camera

If your dream camera doesn't exist, it might be time to craft one yourself. Here's how to hack a GoPro into a multi-use camera.

The Ultimate Desk for Creators

Like a lot of creatives, finding that perfect desk setup is sort of like searching for the holy grail. But after a lot of searching, I think I found mine.

Working With What You Have

As a photographer, you don’t always get a great studio or a perfect location for your shoot. Sometimes, you have to work with what you have. This is a great video to show you just that.
Look Like You Know What You're Doing With These Camera Hacks

Having been a freelancer for the majority of my professional life, there is rarely one part of my operation where I am not bootstrapped for cash. Yet, it’s been the most beneficial because it shows the power of creativity no matter how cruel the rig. In the end, the shot does the talking.

3 Easy Ways to Make Your Own DIY Mist Filters

Have you been wanting to achieve that trendy dreamy look in your photos and videos but hesitant to spend money on the filters to do so? This quick tutorial just might help you be able to try it out.

How to Get Great-Looking First-Person PoV Footage With Your iPhone

If you want to create more first-person footage, or gather some interesting b-roll, or even film some great behind-the-scenes footage, this video might be for you. Armed with just your iPhone and some DIY, you can have an excellent, albeit odd-looking, first-person rig.
This 489 Megapixel DIY Camera Is Cheap and Neat

A $150 DIY camera that is capable of capturing 489-megapixel images sounds too good to be true, right? Let's take a look at how this thing is built and the pictures you can expect to get from it.

The $60 Monitor Worth Having on Your Desk

Thanks to the popularity of mini touchscreen monitors, these little screens are more available and affordable than ever. For this reason, now might be a good time for photographers to add one to their existing setup.

I Tried Newborn Photography and Quickly Realized How Hard It Is!

Having seen many beautiful images of newborns in the past, when I recently became a father for the first time I was keen to get some images of my newborn daughter. Unfortunately, the photographers I wanted to use had no availability, so I thought I'd try it myself. It was an interesting experience.

Check Out This Amazing DIY Pond for Filming Wildlife

One of the most difficult aspects of wildlife and bird photography is finding your subjects and having the patience to wait for them to come into position in frame. So, what if you could make your own spot that you knew would attract wildlife? This photographer and filmmaker designed and built his own pond for bird and wildlife photography, and this awesome video shows the location and the beautiful footage he gets there.

Create Beautiful Portraits With This $20 DIY Light

Photography can be an expensive pursuit, with cameras, lenses, and lights setting you back thousands and thousands of dollars. While that is true, the operative part is "can be". There are lots of ways to create amazing images on a modest budget.