PopPhoto Flash

The Making of the DIY 130-Megapixel Camera

Last week I posted about a project one Flickr user embarked upon to make his own 130-megapixel camera out of an old scanner and a manual focus Canon lens. I was so interested, that I needed to contact the builder to see how he did it. Below are the steps, adapted from his original message (his English is limited).

DIY 130-megapixel camera built from spare parts

I remember making my own pinhole camera when I was just a kid. That's about as far as my camera crafting experience ever got (unless you count taping up and modifying a Holga). But, an amateur photographer from Japan took it about 130 million steps further when he created a camera out of old parts from an Epson flat bed scanner and a manual focus Canon lens. The resulting images have an interesting quality about them--and an unfortunate amount of chromatic aberration--but the real draw is how humongous they are. You should check them out on his Flickr or watch the video (after the break) of it in action. If you have DIY projects you have done, post the link in the comments. We're very interested to see them.

Tip of the Day: DIY Cardboard Ring Frames

Another great idea from Photojojo for making homemade frames.

All you’ll need:
A bunch of cardboard tubes (toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, shipping tubes, oatmeal boxes,etc), an X-acto knife, a ruler and glue.

Click here for a step-by-step.

Tip of the Day: How to Make a Magnetic Photo Bulletin Board

From Photojojo (click here to read more)

The magnetic bulletin board: huge, affordable, and so easy to make you just won’t believe it.

What You’ll Need

    * 3 x 4 sheet of galvanized steel — ours was about $14 at the Home Depot, in the same aisle as the siding and roofing material
    * Pencil
    * Ruler
    * Drill and 1/4Åç or smaller bit
    * Piece of scrap wood
    * Hammer
    * Small nails or screws
    * Assorted magnets
    * Lots of beautiful photos

Note of caution:
Be really careful when handling that big piece of sheet metal—the corners are sharp and the edges won’t do you any favors either. Wear gloves if you have them.

Also, this project won’t work if you get aluminum by mistake. Bring a magnet with you to the store — if the magnet don’t stick, it ain’t steel.

Tip of the Day: From Scrabble Board to Photo Frame

Another awesome DIY project from Photojojo. If you have an old board game that’s missing pieces, or just gathering dust, why not turn it into an awesome photo frame? Scrabble works best because of the built in caption potential, but most board games can be transformed into cool frames with a few minutes and an X-acto knife. Read more here. http://photojojo.com/content/diy/scrabble-board-picture-frame/

(photo via photojojo)

Tip of the Day: Five Things You Can Make Out of a Film Canister

In need of a stylish pair of earrings, a keychain, a ring for you or someone special, maybe a dog tag, or a big ol’ belt buckle?

Have a bunch of old film canisters lying around?

Then you’re in luck. Photojojo offers this step-by-step tutorial for the DIY-inclined film lover.

(photo via. photojojo)

Tip of the Day: The Only Calendar You’ll Ever Need

Another great DIY photo project from Photojojo: The Perpetual Wall Calendar

The idea is pretty simple, just take photos of the numbers 1-31 and words or letters to represent Sunday-Saturday, print, and assemble on your wall, rearrange the numbers each month. Impress your friends and never buy another calendar.

Tip of the Day: DIY Aerial Photography

A sure-fire way to shake up your photography is to get a different perspective. Aerial photos are always eye-catching, but renting your own private plane isn’t exactly affordable. Luckily Photojojo offers a tutorial for getting your own sky-high (or at least overhead) photos.
Click here to see how.

Tip of the Day: DIY Talking Photo Frame

You can make anything if you have enough time on your hands and some ingenuity. Even a talking photo frame. So gather some floss, nail polish, a drill, and 16 or so other items and MacGyver yourself a nifty new frame. Here’s How.

Tip of the Day: DIY RingLight

For the truly crafty (and fearless), follow this tutorial on how to make your own ringlight. You’ll need some electronic equipment, such as wire and wire stripper, electrical connection caps, and bulbs, as well as a saw, screws, a drill, and no confidence that you would electrocute yourself.

If you are successful though, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you saved yourself some money. See step-by-step instructions here.  (image and tutorial by Instructables memeber Bankara)