Posts by Author: David Prochnow

David Prochnow
Our resident “how-to” project editor, David Prochnow, lives on the Gulf Coast of the United States in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He brings his expertise at making our photography projects accessible to everyone, from a lengthy stint acting as the Contributing How-To Editor with Popular Science magazine. While you don’t have to actually build each of his projects, reading about these adventures will contribute to your continued overall appreciation of do-it-yourself photography. A collection of David’s best Popular Science projects can be found in the book, “The Big Book of Hacks,” Edited by Doug Cantor.

    Dissatisfied with Your Mirrorless Camera’s Black & White Filter? Try This for Maximum Oomph!
    Jul 7, 2026 David Prochnow

    Sure, there are a large number of mirrorless cameras that have a black & white filter/mode/style option. Likewise, many of these same cameras also include…

    Make Large Format Negatives from Ordinary Paper…and They Smell Good, Too!
    Jul 3, 2026 David Prochnow

    Say good-bye to overhead projector transparencies and magazine lifts, when making alternative process prints, forever. Yes, there’s a new sheriff in town for making gorgeous…

    Kodak PIXPRO C1: the Artist’s Camera
    Jul 1, 2026 David Prochnow

    Are you an artist? Perhaps an artist with a camera or, maybe, even a photography artist? Then you’re all too familiar with the dearth of…

    This Film Crop Trick Acts Like a Telephoto Lens That Fits EVERY 35mm Camera
    Jun 24, 2026 David Prochnow

    Borrowing a trick from the crop sensor digital camera playbook, this simple project enables you to “act” like you’ve got a telephoto lens installed on…

    It’s Retro, it’s Digital, it’s NOT a Miniature Hasselblad 500 C/M, but is it Any Good?
    Jun 24, 2026 David Prochnow

    You’ve got to give Chinese camera manufacturers/designers credit for innovation. From keychain cameras to last year’s hit twin lens reflex digital darling, each attempt at…

    Shoot Leica Monopan 50 in Your Medium Format Camera without Adapters
    Jun 19, 2026 David Prochnow

    Using a medium format camera is a great way to expose yourself to working with bigger negatives. Well, “bigger,” relatively speaking, as when compared to…

    Easily Recover a Damaged Camera’s Body Leather with this Unorthodox Material
    Jun 16, 2026 David Prochnow

    One of the biggest disappoints with some vintage 35mm cameras is the loss of finish. Whether it’s a wear mark around the strap lugs, a…

    Turn a $7 Broken Lens into a Working Lens in Less Than 5 Minutes
    Jun 10, 2026 David Prochnow

    Nothing is more gratifying to a photographer than nabbing a piece of photographic equipment from a local thrift store. Walking out with a treasure that…

    46 Years Later, Yashica FX-D Makes a Killer Come Back as a Mirrorless Wunderkind
    Jun 10, 2026 David Prochnow

    In the 1990s, when Yashica faded to black, it looked like another film camera maker had lost the battle trying to stem the digital tide….

    Been There, Done That: Make Your Own Travel Postcards and Be the Envy of Your Friends
    Jun 4, 2026 David Prochnow

    Nothing says “I did it,” like a travel postcard mailed from some exotic locale. The stamp, the postal cancellation mark, and the “touristy” photograph all…