20 DIY photography projects

Whether you're a pro or a hobbyist, you'll know that the cost of photography kit can really add up, right? Well not necessarily!

We're seeing more and more photographers using Sugru Mouldable Glue to make their kit work harder. So whether you're taking photos for a living, prepping your kit for an adventure, or just looking to adapt your kit to work better for you, you'll find something in here to help.


1. Makeshift GoPro pole


A popular project amongst the Sugru community is making DIY GoPro poles. And they're using them in some epic places!


Here's how to make your own:



2. Macro photography lighting rig for compact cameras


camera lighting rig with Sugru

Another brilliant Sugru photography hack from Wildlife Gadget Man - a lighting rig made of LED lights found in a pound shop! Macro photography needs a lot of light on the subject, so with this hack you'll be able to get the perfect shot!


3. Sugru + LEGO lens cap = genius


Sugru and lego on attaching lens cap to tripod

Ever get fed up of scrambling for your lens cap in between shots? With Sugru and Lego you can keep your lens cap always on hand.


4. Add a flash cable to your underwater camera housing


Sugru used to add flash cable to camera

A lot of cheaper underwater housings don't have ability to accept a sync cable for a flash, so you can't use the flash away from the camera. With this Sugru project you can.


5. DIY optical viewfinder


Camera with adapted viewfinder using Sugru

It can be quite frustrating when your camera doesn't have a viewfinder, but Sugru-er Hans came up with a clever hack by using a viewfinder he bought at a flea market!

"With a little hobby-store brass, some leather, a hotshoe mount from a dead flash and some Sugru, I rigged this attachment and now I can frame pictures without the LCD screen."


6. Adapt parts to make them fit


Wide angle lens adapted to fit new camera with Sugru

Edward was gutted when his old wide angle adaptor didn't fit his new video camera. Using Sugru he now has his adaptor attached and it works just the same!


7. Floating GoPro


Gopro attached to water bottle with Sugru, floating in water

GoPros don't float, so if you lose your grip then you're a bit stuck! All you need is a Coke bottle lid, a 1/8th inch screw, some Sugru, 2 nuts and you'll have a solution!

Build your own (thanks to Sugru-ers Holly and James for the awesome video)



8. Helmet camera mount with Sugru & Velcro


Camera mounted to helmet with Sugru and velcro

Patrick wanted to mount his Sony HDR-AS15 camera onto his bike helmet so he used Sugru, Velcro® and two thin metal plates to create a clever removable mount.


9. Mount an auto focus chip to a camera


Auto focus chip mounted to manual focus lens with Sugru

By mounting an auto focus chip to the manual focus lens, the camera will now be able to recognise the lens!


10. Make a low cost wildlife camera clamp


Wildlife Gadget Man used Sugru in making a camera clamp

Another great idea from Wildlife Gadget Man, who came up with a clever way of making a budget camera clamp so that you can capture the perfect shot at a variation of angles.


11. Magnetic Gorilla pod


Tripod adapted with Sugru and magnets

Got a heavy camera that your Gorilla Pod can't hold, or a Gorilla Pod that has worn out? Instructables user Tinstructable came up with this ingenious project using Sugru & magnets. 


12. DIY time lapse tripod


Tripod adapted with egg timer using Sugru

Sugru user Nejc used Sugru and an egg timer to create his own DIY time lapse tripod! 

"The timer rotates for 1 hour which makes for a really nice and steady rotating time lapse."

Or make a tilting time lapse tripod using two egg timers. Sugru-er Jack took the idea one step further and made it so that you can tilt the camera up whilst rotating. Ingenuity at its finest.


Tripod adapted with two egg timers using Sugru


13. Add a torch mount to your camera


Flash light attached to camera with Sugru

When shooting in low light it can be hard to focus, so Instructables user Dinkfabrik came up with this clever hack of using Sugru to attach a flash light to a dummy cold shoe!


14. DIY neutral density filter


DIY neutral density filter made with Sugru

ND filters can be incredibly expensive, but with some cheap welding glass, a step-up adapter ring and some Sugru you can make your own like Sugru-er Victor!


15. Stop your skyports getting switched on


Skyport button adapted with Sugru

Rob shared this idea: "Tired of your Elinchrom Skyports getting switched on in the camera bag? Sugru fix! No more flat batteries."


16. Fit a macro lens onto any mobile


Macro lens for phone camera adapted with Sugru

It can be hard to get the shot you want using your phones camera as standard. But with some Sugru, a small magnifying glass, cling film and parchment paper you can create a macro lens.


17. Attach a new lens to a Polaroid camera


New lens attached to polaroid with Sugru

Filmwaster forum member Ludoo used Sugru to attach an Angenieux 100/4.5 off a broken Kodak 620 Special 6x9 to his Polaroid, meaning he could get the perfect shot!


18. Stop reflections on your lens


Lens adapted with Sugru to stop reflections

Samull used his Black Sugru to stop reflections being caused by the lens mount.


19. Modify a vintage camera to fit modern batteries


Instructables user pstrehle came up with this fantastic solution! "All you need is eight cents and a little bit of Sugru". 

See the project here.


20. Seal your 3d printed camera so no light gets in!


Sugru used to fill gaps in 3D printed camera

When Leo Marius created the world's very first 3D-printed SLR camera, he needed something to stop light from getting in. We were thrilled that he decided Black Sugru was best to fill the gaps!

For more fantastic fixing, making and improving ideas, head over to our Projects & Inspiration page.