4 Reasons Why You Might Want to Learn 3D Printing as a Photographer

Have you ever wished for a photography accessory or tool and dreamed of making it yourself? If you're the kind of photographer who likes finding neat solutions, 3D printing might be worth checking out.

Photographers are often passionate about printing their images and hanging them on a wall. This endeavor often puts emphasis on the output. However, 3D printing, and the world of possibilities that it opens, can actually impact the process of creating. Here are some of the reasons why this might be the perfect side quest for a photographer to take on.

It's Easier Than It Seems

The idea of printing an actual three-dimensional functional object has always been fascinating. However, one of the top two reasons I personally took years before trying it out was that I thought it would require a lot of technical knowledge to design and model 3D objects. But the reality is, at least with how 3D printing has evolved on the consumer level, unboxing and setting up the printer was the most complicated part.

For any beginner, it can be as simple as downloading a file online and printing it the way you print downloaded text onto paper. There are various online databases that are free and easily accessible, such as MakerWorld and Thingiverse, where thousands of designers and creators have uploaded their designs for everyone to try and print. From something as simple as a name card or a memory card case, all the way to functional objects like lamps, planter pots, coffee grippers, and even camera cages, these designs are free for users to print and even customize. While most people would probably be satisfied just printing designs they find interesting online, you can take your time to learn how to modify and even make your own designs using various online tools.

Accessories and Tools on Demand

If you've ever needed a simple plastic photography accessory like a step-up ring, a lens hood, a lens cap, or even a case for your gear, and wanted to get it without having to go to a store or order online, this is where 3D printing can get much more interesting for a photographer. In fact, if the tool that you need doesn't exist, you can make it yourself. It would be best to double-check, though, because I've found that so many accessories I didn't even think needed to exist already do, and they are generously being shared online. 

From something as simple as a customized hot shoe cover or a nice tag for your camera bag, all the way to simple, lightweight mounting tools, they can be printed in a couple of hours. Accessories and tools make our workflows easier or more convenient, and 3D printing just makes everything more accessible.

It's Really Not That Expensive

One of the biggest reasons for hesitating to give 3D printing a try was the assumption that it would cost so much to get started. Personally, I had the notion that it would cost thousands of dollars to get a basic printer, which wouldn't seem worth it. Perhaps when the technology was very new, it did cost around that much to get a printer, but nowadays a printer can be cheaper than a brand-new third-party lens.

For instance, the very first printer I tried, the Bambu Lab A1 mini, costs just $329, and the one I'm currently using, the Bambu Lab A1 Combo, which includes an AMS (Automatic Material System) that feeds up to four different kinds of filament into the printer, costs just $399. For context, that $330–400 price tag is just half of what a Sony G series prime would cost brand-new. In fact, that price is much closer to that of the most popular camera bags on the market. While I wouldn't say that every photographer should learn how to 3D print, it can definitely be a convenient bonus.

It Can Be a Profitable Side Quest

Whether or not you're going to be printing photography accessories, 3D printing on its own is a productive activity altogether. Many 3D printing fans create their own products that have a unique mix of functionality and aesthetic appeal. These can be as simple as keychains, bag tags, and trinkets, all the way to functional aesthetic pieces such as lamps, vases, ornaments, and even shelves. 

Depending on how far you'd want to go in terms of learning how to design and 3D model, there are so many possibilities to create useful and desirable things that you can sell. Compared to the average cost of filament, a well-designed product can be sold for much more because of the value of the product's design and functionality. It's pretty much like having your own factory in a small corner of a room at home.

A Little Reminder

While 3D printing is a highly productive and prolific activity, it is important to be aware of the potential environmental effects it can have. The two most common filament materials, PLA and PETG, aren't entirely eco-friendly. PETG, or Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol, is a durable plastic material and is highly recyclable, though it is non-biodegradable. On the other hand, PLA, or Polylactic Acid, is technically biodegradable but only breaks down under certain non-natural conditions that require industrial intervention.

Plastic objects, accessories, and tools are pretty much unavoidable in the world we live in, but if you're someone who wants to start 3D printing, it would be best to familiarize yourself with how you can reduce the rate at which you waste filament, find out ways you can recycle old filament, and be intentionally selective about printing objects that are highly useful, that are not single-use, and that can be useful for a long, long time.

3D printing is definitely an interesting and productive skill that photographers and other creatives can learn, and it would benefit not just their own creative workflow but potentially provide added ways for expression and profit. For the price of a premium camera bag, one can begin learning to 3D print and gain access to a world's worth of learning and printing resources. While not every single thing can be made with plastic filament, the possibilities are still abundant.