Author: Stephen Paul Young

I’m Steve (Stephen Paul Young), a landscape, digital and film photographer with a deep love for capturing the beauty of nature, light, and atmosphere. Whether I’m out at dawn chasing the perfect sunrise, exploring woodland trails, or experimenting with black-and-white film, photography is my way of seeing the world. I’m drawn to the small details and the big vistas alike, always looking for that moment where light, texture, and emotion come together. For me, photography isn’t just about taking pictures—it’s about storytelling, connection, and the joy of being present in the landscape.

Random UK Landscape Photography Idea Random UK Landscape Photography Idea Click the button to spark your next photography adventure! Click for Idea Your idea will appear here… Discover Your Next UK Landscape Photography Adventure Photography is not just about pointing a camera at a scene—it’s about capturing a mood, a fleeting light, or a moment that…

A quiet, capable wide prime tested along the Kennet & Avon Canal Introduction Some lenses announce themselves immediately. Others reveal their strengths slowly, over the course of a walk, a season, or a familiar stretch of water revisited under different light. The Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM firmly belongs in the latter category. I field-tested…

Landscape and seasonal photography is a rewarding pursuit that combines technical skill, patience, and a deep appreciation for nature. Capturing the changing moods of the UK countryside—from misty autumn mornings to frost-covered winter fields—requires an understanding of light, composition, seasonal behaviour, and the unique character of different landscapes. In this Guide to Landscape and Seasonal…

The Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata), with its piercing yellow eyes and striking facial markings, is the largest tropical owl in the Americas, embodying the shadowy mystique of the rainforest. Photographing this enigmatic species at Millets Falconry Centre in Oxfordshire offered a rare chance to study its intense gaze and quiet power up close, without the challenges of humid…

There are mornings when the land feels as though it is holding its breath. Dawn at Calleva Atrebatum, the Roman town walls near Silchester in North Hampshire, is one of those moments. Frost tightens the grass, mist loosens the edges of everything else, and the past presses gently against the present. This is not a place…

Have you ever thought of your camera as more than a tool for capturing pretty landscapes or perfect portraits? Photographic journaling transforms photography into a personal diary—a way to document your life, emotions, and thoughts visually. By using images as a diary, you can practice mindfulness, explore self-reflection, and preserve moments that words sometimes fail…

Where Time Slows Down There are moments in photography when you realise the camera can see what the eye cannot. Clouds drift like painted brushstrokes across the sky. A river turns from rippling motion into smooth, reflective glass. Even the most ordinary scene—an empty pier, a quiet field, a city street after rain—takes on a…

When you’re starting out in photography, the sheer amount of information can feel overwhelming. Do you need a “proper” camera? What’s the difference between RAW and JPEG? How do you get those dreamy blurred backgrounds? The good news: every amateur photographer asks the same questions at some point. Below, you’ll find the ten most common…

Introduction The Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis) is a slender, agile raptor native to the grasslands and savannahs of the Americas, known for its striking plumage and dynamic hunting style. Photographing this elegant falcon at Millets Falconry Centre in Oxfordshire offers a rare opportunity to observe and capture the beauty of this species up close, allowing photographers to refine their…

Autumn comes softly here, beneath the canopy of Great Haughurst Copse — a season stitched together from wind, woodsmoke, and the slow drift of colour through the trees. In autumn woodland photography, the mornings are filled with movement: deer slipping through wet bracken, jays cracking acorns in the hush before rain. Each path feels alive, expectant, as…

Developing black and white film at home can be a rewarding and creative process. With the right equipment, chemicals, and a bit of patience, you can create beautiful images right from your negatives. Whether you’re shooting 35mm, medium format, or large format, the process is generally the same, with slight adjustments depending on the film…

Christmas is the perfect time to pull out your camera and capture the magic of the season. Whether you’re photographing twinkling lights, family gatherings, festive still life, or snowy landscapes, there are endless opportunities to create stunning, memorable shots. In this guide, we’ll explore 7 creative Christmas photography tips that will help you elevate your holiday photos…

2026 promises a creative renaissance for photographers. From AI-assisted tools to the revival of film and slow photography, this year will challenge how we see, create, and connect. Here’s what every photographer should expect in the year ahead. What follows isn’t a list of gadgets or rumours from trade shows. It’s a reflection — part…

Street photography is often seen as a chaotic blend of movement, crowds, and energy. But within that chaos lies a hidden art form—minimalist street photography. This approach strips away the clutter and noise, allowing negative space to become the hero of the frame. By learning how to use negative space, photographers can create powerful, thought-provoking images…