This DIY valve lens gives a new meaning to “workFLOW”

For Iranian photographer Alireza Rostami, creating DIY lenses and gear is a creative statement, and we just love his ideas. We’ve seen plenty of his imaginative crafts, and this time, he turned a valve, a broken enlarger lens, and a camera cap into a fully functional DIY lens. A diaphragm was made from an old valve, and this quirky, inventive, and undeniably unique lens actually creates marvelous bokeh! Alireza shared his project with us, and we’re happy to share it with you.

“In a world filled with news about AI, I wanted to create something that celebrates handmade art,” Alireza tells DIYP. He notes that while he appreciates AI as a tool, but there’s a distinct joy in crafting something tangible from seemingly useless objects. As a DIY aficionado myself, I couldn’t agree more!

Alireza tells us that the idea for the valve diaphragm wasn’t new—it had been in the back of his mind since July 2021. But it wasn’t until a few days ago, when he stumbled upon a discarded valve in a pile of trash, that the concept finally came to life. Using it as a light controller, Alireza assembled his lens from scratch, merging discarded parts into a tool for creative expression.

With his handmade lens in tow, Alireza headed to a garden for some test shots. He experimented with the valve diaphragm fully open and partially closed to see how it affected the bokeh. His prediction? That the lens might create crescent-shaped bokeh. And the results? “Astonishing,” he says.

The unique shape of the valve adds an artistic twist to the out-of-focus areas in his photos, creating a dreamy, otherworldly aesthetic. While I know it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, I personally like this type of bokeh a lot (as you can probably tell by now).

Beyond the technical ingenuity, Alireza’s lens is a conversation starter. He imagines walking into a studio session with this unconventional piece and watching as models and artists marvel at it. “I bet they’d shout with excitement, ‘Oh my God! What kind of camera is this?’” But other than turning heads, this lens is definitely a piece of art that blends photography, recycling, and creativity.

Like all Alireza’s projects, the “valve-lens” also shows that, with a little creativity and resourcefulness, anyone can make something remarkable out of something seemingly useless. So, next time you spot a rusty valve or an old lens, think twice before tossing it out—it might just be the key to your next piece of DIY gear.

And now, take a look at more photos below, and make sure to follow Alireza on Instagram for more of his imaginative, creative, DIY projects.