Stephen Paul Young Photography
FineArtPics
The Film Photography category explores the craft of working with analogue cameras, blending technical skill with a slower, more deliberate way of seeing and capturing the world.
Whether you’re shooting 35mm or medium format film, developing your own negatives, or exploring black & white and colour stocks, this section offers practical guidance, creative inspiration, and reflections on why film remains relevant in the digital era.
For a complete guide to the fundamentals and philosophy of film photography, start with our pillar post: What Is Film Photography?.
This post covers the history, aesthetics, and mindset behind film, and serves as the central reference for all other film photography content on the site.
35mm Film Photography – Tips, techniques, and examples from classic 35mm cameras.
Medium Format Film Photography – High-resolution images and unique shooting approaches.
Black & White Film Photography – Understanding tonal range, grain, and mood.
Film photography is more than gear — it’s about patience, intention, and creative exploration. Topics here include:
Camera operation and manual settings
Film stock selection and development choices
Composition, exposure, and the slower process of shooting film
Creative experimentation, including double exposures and long exposures
Shooting on film offers a tactile, thoughtful experience that digital cannot replicate. Photographers often value:
The tangible nature of negatives and prints
Deliberate decision-making with limited exposures
Unique aesthetics and grain characteristics
The meditative, intentional process of analogue photography
Choosing your first black and white film shouldn’t feel like studying for an exam. Yet most people start by comparing data sheets, grain charts, and development times — long before they’ve learned what different films feel like in use. I see this a lot, especially from photographers coming from digital, where ISO is a dial rather than…
Fast black and white films are often judged by how far they can be pushed. Fomapan 400 takes a slightly different approach. It offers speed and flexibility, yes — but it still feels rooted in a more traditional way of seeing. This is not a slick, ultra-modern ISO 400 film designed to disappear into the…
There’s something quietly reassuring about slower black and white films. They don’t rush you, don’t flatter mistakes, and don’t pretend to be something they’re not. Fomapan 100 is exactly that kind of film — traditional, deliberate, and refreshingly honest. Often overshadowed by faster stocks and modern emulsions, Fomapan 100 doesn’t shout for attention. Instead, it…
A Film With a Bad Reputation and a Beautiful Soul Every so often, a film stock appears that splits opinion down the middle. Some photographers praise its character; others warn you off with raised eyebrows and cautionary tales. Lucky SHD400 is one of those films — cheap, moody, imperfect, inconsistent… and yet strangely captivating. During…
Film photography has made a striking return, proving it’s far more than nostalgia. The Film Photography Guide you’re reading is designed as a complete resource — not only covering cameras and film stocks, but also creative approaches, technical skills, and inspiration to help you develop your craft. Whether you’re just starting with your first roll of 35mm…
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…
Read Kentmere Pan 400 Review and how it performs for street and travel photography. Sample shots, tips, and why this budget B&W film is worth trying. If you’re searching for a high-speed, budget-friendly black and white film, Kentmere Pan 400 might be the versatile workhorse you need for street, travel, or daily documentary photography. I recently tested it…
My real-world Kentmere Pan 200 Review; If you’re looking for a versatile black and white film that won’t break your budget, Kentmere Pan 200 is worth considering. I tested it in real-world conditions using my Canon AE-1 Program and Canon 300V to see if it could become a reliable go-to film for everyday shooting. Below, I share my personal results, tips, and practical…
Discover below why I chose to do a Kentmere Pan 100 Review. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly black and white film, Kentmere Pan 100 is often recommended in film circles. I recently shot a few rolls with my Canon AE-1 Program and Canon 300V to see if it lives up to the praise it gets for affordability, fine grain, and a…
Rediscovering Simplicity Through Film In a world of high-resolution digital sensors and instant previews, there’s a quiet magic in returning to film. Recently, I took a walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal, a stretch leading into Newbury, England, armed not with a modern mirrorless setup, but with my Canon EOS 300V, a roll of Kentmere Pan 100, and…
Photographing Aldermaston Wharf with the Bronica ETRSi and Kentmere Pan 100 – Medium Format Photography There is something quietly timeless about England’s canal network, particularly on a still Sunday morning. The soft reflections, moored narrowboats, distant bird calls, and the rhythm of footsteps on the towpath—it all invites a slower kind of seeing, and for…
Exploring the Ancient Wall Through Experimental Analogue Photography 35mm Film in Medium Format Camera – In the quiet pre-dawn hours, I ventured out to the Silchester Roman Wall—a place steeped in history and mystery. But this wasn’t just another early morning shoot. Armed with a roll of Kentmere Pan 400 35mm film, a Zenza Bronica medium format camera,…
There’s something quietly exciting about trying out new gear in familiar places—especially when that gear is as classic and simple as yellow filter photography. A few weeks ago, I finally got around to testing a Pig Iron Yellow Filter I’d picked up on eBay (also spotted it on Amazon). I paired it with my Zenza Bronica medium format…
Discovering Exposure the Old-School Way – On a clear, cloudless day at Silchester Roman Wall (Calleva Atrebatum), I decided on using the Sunny 16 Rule for the very first time. Armed with my Bronica ETRSi medium format camera and the 75mm lens, I loaded up a roll of Kentmere Pan 100 and left the light meter behind, Using the Sunny 16 Rule.…
Motion blur photography is a powerful creative technique that transforms everyday scenes into abstract, dreamlike compositions. While often associated with digital photography, shooting motion blur on film presents a unique set of challenges and rewards. For this latest experiment, I used my Canon EOS 300v loaded with Ilford FP4+ film, pushed two stops to enhance…
One of my most exciting gifts this Christmas was a “Build Your Own Twin Lens Reflex Camera” kit. As someone passionate about analogue photography, the thought of assembling my own camera was thrilling. In this blog post, I’ll take you through the journey of building this camera—explaining what’s inside the kit, the assembly process, and…
If you’re a fan of film photography (Kentmere Pan 100 Macro Photography) and love exploring the tiny wonders of the world through macro, Kentmere Pan 100 might just become your new favourite companion. This affordable black-and-white film stock is a hidden gem for photographers seeking fine detail, smooth tonal range, and a classic aesthetic. In this…
Exploring the F1 Show at Excel Arena The Excel Arena near Victoria Docks hosted an unforgettable daytime event: the F1 Show, focusing on the rich history of Formula 1. As a photography enthusiast, I saw this as a perfect opportunity to test Kentmere 400, a budget-friendly 35mm film known for its versatility. My day revolved…
First Impressions of Kentmere 35mm Film Kentmere Pan 400 has always intrigued me as an affordable, versatile black-and-white film stock. On the evening of December 19th, with Christmas just around the corner, I ventured to Borough Market in London to put this film to the test. Armed with my trusty Canon 300V and a roll…
When I set out for a day of street photography, I chose Kentmere Pan 400—a versatile, budget-friendly black-and-white film. Its ISO 400 speed seemed ideal for dynamic street scenes, offering flexibility in lighting conditions. My chosen locations, the streets of Witney in Oxfordshire and Winchester in Hampshire, each presented unique opportunities for storytelling through the…