As optoelectronic semiconductor research reaches a level of saturation, incorporation of unconventional processes and techniques often add to new phenomena and opportunities. In this manuscript, we share our perspective regarding the application of electrochemistry to GaN and related compound semiconductors. Two specific examples of using nanoporous structures, created by electrochemistry, for mini-/micro- LEDs and for vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) are discussed. © COPYRIGHT SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.