Wayne Martin Belger is a California based photographer who takes image making to a completely different level. Instead of just being satisfied by taking the pictures, he builds his own cameras — for each separate occasion.

But these are no ordinary cameras made of just metal or wood; these are built with HIV positive blood and human craniums.

“The creation of a camera comes from my desire to relate to a subject. When I choose a subject I spend time studying it. Then I start visualizing how I would like a photo of the subject to look. When that’s figured out, I start on the camera stage of the project by collecting parts, artifacts and relics that relate to the subject”, writes Wayne Martin Belger on his website.

You can say what you want about his approach, but in this case, the cameras are as much part of the art as the images they create.

Third Eye

“Designed to study the beauty of decay.

4”x5” camera made from Aluminium, Titanium, Brass, Silver, Gem Stones and a 150 year old skull of a 13 year old girl. Light and time enters at the third eye, exposing the film in the middle of the skull.”

HIV

“Designed to study and photograph a geographic comparison of people suffering from HIV.

4”x5” camera made from Aluminium, Copper, Titanium, Acrylic and HIV positive blood. The blood pumps through the camera then in front of the pinhole and becomes my #25 red filter. Designed to shoot a geographic comparison of people suffering from HIV.”

Heart

“Designed to take photos of soon-to-be mothers who are at least 8 months pregnant, and explore my relationship with my twin brother who died at birth.

4”x5” camera made from Aluminium, Titanium, Acrylic, Formaldehyde and an infant human heart.”

Altars

“Designed to study beautiful altars created at points of tragedy.

A collection of Roadside Altars from the US and Mexico all shot with the Roadside Altar Camera. All titled by their GPS location.”