What's Lens Punk?

Lens Punk is a space celebrating hand-made photography that embraces character and mood over perfection.

"A lens punk isn't someone who uses a particular camera or piece of equipment exclusively. A lens punk finds potential in what's available — blending different media, formats, and processes to shape their own vision."

Who's Behind This?

Hi, I'm Dominic, and I've been experimenting with image-making since the late 90s, starting with B&W film photography and pinhole work in art class. On leaving college I trained then worked for several decades as a bespoke furniture maker.

It was during this time that I began applying my woodworking skills to camera making - first designing pinhole cameras, then moving into more complex large format cameras. Around 2014, I started experimenting with simple lens designs. When a friend saw my rangefinder camera fitted with one of my DIY lenses, they jokingly called me a 'lens punk.' The name stuck, and by 2017 it had evolved into this broader project.




Word spread about the camera and lens work I was doing, and photographers began commissioning custom pieces from me. This showed me that equipment could be more than just tools - they could become genuine creative collaborators in the image-making process.

As interest grew, I started running camera-making workshops, cameraless and mixed media photography experience days, and shorter photo walks. These hands-on experiences revealed how much people value learning and creating together.

What's next?

While I continue to run workshops and make custom cameras and lenses, I'm also looking to show more of my own photographic work. By launching the Lens Punk zine as a showcase for image craft, I'm equally excited to feature other artists, writers and photographers who are pushing boundaries.

I'm actively looking to connect with makers whose work tells a story and deserves a wider audience.

If you'd like to contribute your work to future publications or join our community of hands-on image makers: Email me

At Lens Punk we're working to develop a unique space for handcrafted photography while keeping print alive.