21 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 to make their kit work harder. So whether you're taking photos for a living, prepping your kit for an adventure, or just want looking to adapt your kit to work better for you, you'll find something in here to help.

1. Create a makeshift GoPro pole

There's a definite trend of Sugru-ers making their own DIY GoPro poles — and they're using them in some epic places!

How to make your own

2. Make a macro photography lighting rig for compact cameras

Another great 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 = awesome

Get fed up of scrambling for your lens cap in between shots? With Sugru and Lego you can keep easily your lens cap with you!

4. Add a flash cable to your underwater camera housing

A lot of cheaper 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. Make a DIY optical viewfinder

It can be quite frustrating when your camera doesn't have a viewfinder, but 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. Make your wide angle camera adaptor fit

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. Make your GoPro float with a coke bottle!

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. Mount your camera to your helmet using Sugru + 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

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

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. Make your Gorilla pod magnetic!

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. Create a DIY time lapse tripod

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!)

Jack took this idea one step further and made it so that you can tilt the camera up whilst rotating — genius!

13. Add a torch mount to your camera

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. Make your own neutral density filter

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 Victor!

15. Stop your skyports getting switched on

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

It can be hard to get the shot you want using your phones camera as standard, so 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

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

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

19. Protect your camera in space

School teacher Matt was working on a science project with his class, to send a camera up into space! He needed to secure a camera in place for the journey, but found the glues they were using stopped sticking at low temperatures. Good job Sugru is resistant to -50°C.

Check out the full space journey story.

20. 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 litle bit of Sugru"

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

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!