★ Crafty Photography DIY Projects | How to Make Camera Straps, Tripods & More ★
Roundup of Camera DIYs, Revamps and Hacks
As if photography wasn't fun and creative enough, now you can find a huge selection of craft and DIY tutorials online to help you achieve particular techniques using homemade equipment, or to revamp the look of your camera to make it coolest on the street!
On this page you will find my favorite sets of instructions for camera hacks which will save you money, plus information on how to make your own camera bags, pouches, straps, tripods and more.
I hope you enjoy this page :)
Matchbox Pinhole Camera
Photo and camera by Dzung Le - Click here for instructions on how to make your own.
You can view examples of photo taken by this DIY camera here.
Photography Books & Fantastic Kits
There are some excellent photography books available to buy as well as some fab kits for building your own camera. However, my favorite from this selection is the balloon kit which allows you to take aerial photos from high in the sky!
Camera Cases, Bags & Pouches How-Tos
- Padded Bag Inserts
Transform a regular bag into a camera bag with fabric-covered foam dividers. - Crochet Dog Cozy
Stitch an adorable puppy case for your camera. - DIY Hard Case for a DSLR
Use a small suitcase to allow you to travel with a DSLR and all the accessories. - Strappy Camera Lens Pouch
Protect your precious DSLR lenses with this padded pouch. - Camera Cozy Template
Make a cute quilted case for your point-and-shoot. - DSLR Camera Bag
Sewn from a laminate fabric with a flap closure. - Novelty Felt Purse
Fun cover in the design of a camera. - Quilted Camera Pouch
With bias tape edging and free motion quilting. - Simple Point-and-Shoot Case
Quick to make, this project is perfect for a beginner sewer. - Wool Camera Wrap
A rustic cozy made with heavy wool. - Camera Carrier Insert
Instructions for making a foam and felt bag to put in your favorite handbag.
Camera Stabilizer
Photo and stabilizer by George Richardson - Click here for the DIY information.
Instructions for Making Camera Straps & More
- Scarf Strap
Great idea for a feminine and fashionable strap that's quick to make. - Macrame Wrist Strap
Loop and knot ribbons together to make a cute strap. - Striped Webbing Strap
Chunky and strong strap for guys or gals. - DIY Strap Cover
Tutorial for covering an existing strap with a pretty fabric. - Fashionable Chain Strap
A trendy replacement for a regular strap. - Stencilled Geometric Strap
Use to tape and paint to make a stripe and triangle design. - Upcycled Sweater Strap Cover
Repurpose an old sweater into a soft and comfy strap. - Crochet Strap & Lens Pouch
A practical project for crocheters. - Patchwork Strap Cover
Padded with a fusible fleece layer. - Necktie Strap
A clever and smart use for a necktie. - Ruffled Slipcover
A double ruffle layer makes a lovely embellishment. - Sequin Bling Strap
Add glitz and glam to your photography pursuits! - Webbing Hand Strap
Using an eyelet to attach the strap to the tripod mount. - Simple Cover With Pockets
An easy and quick cover with pockets for your lens cap. - Quilted Camera Strap
A very comfy way to make a strap with multiple layers.
Bottletop Tripod
Tripods & Other Practical Projects
- A Range of DIY Ideas
Simple homemade ideas including a tripod made from a tennis ball. - Bottle Cap Monopod
Super small product for when large equipment is not allowed in a venue. - Overhead Camera Tripod
A wooden contraption used for taking aerial view shots on a table. - Flexible Wire Tripod
A very adaptable design to wrap around objects for stability. - String Pod
Made from just an eye bolt and a length of string. - $1 Image Stabilizer
The simplest of tripods that you can keep in your pocket. - Panoramic Tripod Head
A project that will enable you to swivel your camera in different directions. - $4 No-Handed Camera Rig & a $5 Monopod
Fun pieces of equipment that are cheap to make. - Smartphone Camera Extender
A clever use for an umbrella - and you can also adapt it to hold a point-and-shoot instead.
DIY 'Big Shot' 3D Camera Kit
If you're not only interested in owning a 3D camera, but building it yourself as well, then this kit is certainly for you!
iPhone Camera Dolly
Clever idea for repurposing a skateboard!
Photo and dolly by Udi Tirosh - Click here for the tutorial.
DIY Photography Accessories
- Lens Cap Pouch
Neat way to keep your lens cap safe and out of the way. - DSLR Flash Diffuser
How to add light without washing your subject out. - Ziploc Bag Raincover
An inexpensive waterproof cover for rainy day shooting. - iPhone Macro Lens
If you are into phone photography, this DIY will come in handy for close-ups. - Easy Fisheye Lens Hack
Quickly make fisheye photos with old eyeglasses and a DSLR - Camera Sling
A comfortable and practical way to carry around an SLR.
Equatorial Mount
This is a rather technical project, however it would be definitely worth it if you are planning on taking clear photos of stars at night.
Photo and DIY by Paul Duncan - Click here for the DIY instructions.
Cool Gadgets to Make - More Challenging Projects To Get Your Teeth Stuck Into!
- Equatorial Mount
A mount for your camera which helps you to photograph stars in the night sky. - DIY Tilt-Shift Lens
Create a fun focussing effect with plumbing hardware. - PVC Skater Dolly
Make a tabletop dolly from pipe and rollerskate wheels. - Mini-Rail Dolly
This dolly runs along a short rail track. - DSLR Cage Stabilizer
A useful gadget for shooting film and getting low shots.
Through the Viewfinder
The TtV method involves taking a photo with a modern camera, but through the viewfinder of an old twin-lens reflex camera. The old camera is used as a kind of filter to add a black border and an aged look (created by dust or damage) to the resulting photographs. The intended effect is to make photos look 'vintage'.
In the photo you can see the setup, which consists of a tubular 'contraption' that attaches both cameras together so as not to let any light in.
Photo and contraption by Pete Ashton - Click here to go to Pete's photo collection and see examples of TtV photos.
Building a DSLR Steadicam
Even More Fun Ideas
- Make a Waxed Camera Bag
If you have a regular canvas bag you can add wax to it to make it water-resistant. - Instructables
Fantastic selection of photography related crafts & weekend projects. - Bokeh Filters
Create fun shapes of light in your photo backgrounds. - 10 Ways to Use a Disposable Camera
Creative ideas including how to take 3D images. - 23 Pinhole Cameras to Build
A wide range of styles to make, including cameras made from Spam cans and matchboxes. - Sparkly Rhinestone Camera
For a permanently blinged-up revamp, cover your camera with gems!