I first shot film as a teenager, then set it aside for years — spending a long stretch of time in digital photography before eventually feeling the pull back to something slower and more deliberate. About four years ago I returned to film, not out of nostalgia, but because I wanted to make photographs that felt more considered and, frankly, more artistically satisfying.
I’m Stephen Paul Young, a fine art landscape photographer based in North Hampshire. Everything I write here comes from hands-on experience shooting film in the field — across seasons, in difficult light, and with a range of cameras and stocks. I don’t believe in a single perfect film. I shoot Fomapan regularly (it’s why I stock and sell it — flexible, affordable, and genuinely capable in the right hands), but I try as many stocks as I can. The variety teaches you more than loyalty to one emulsion ever could.
This hub brings together everything I’ve written about film photography — from beginner guides and film stock reviews to technique and camera write-ups. If you’re just getting started, the Resurgence of Film Photography is a good place to begin. If you’re looking for a specific stock or format, browse the sections below.
About Stephen Paul Young
Fine art landscape photographer · North Hampshire · Film & digital · Best Fine Art Landscape Photographer 2025 — Creative & Visual Arts Awards
Film photography is a slower, more intentional approach to image-making. It removes instant feedback and forces you to focus on exposure, composition, and light at the moment of capture.
This hub collects my film photography guides, film stock experiences, and real-world shooting work across both 35mm and medium format formats.
Explore Film Photography Content
Below you’ll find all articles, reviews, and field notes on film photography.
Simple Step by Step Film Development Guide
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 type and the developer used. This guide will take you through the entire process step by step. Development plays a key role when pushing film,…
Kentmere 400 Film Review: Is This the Best Budget Black & White Film?
Kentmere 400 is often overlooked in favour of better-known films, but it has quietly built a reputation as one of the best budget black and white options available. In this review, I share real-world results, sample images, and my honest experience shooting Kentmere across a range of conditions — from soft winter light to contrast-heavy scenes. If you’re wondering whether Kentmere film is worth shooting in 2026, this guide will give you a clear answer. Kentmere 400 Film Review Kentmere…
Kentmere Pan 200 Review: Brilliant Flexibility on a Budget
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 feedback for photographers considering Kentmere Pan 200. Why I Tried Kentmere Pan 200 Having enjoyed Kentmere Pan 100 for daylight shooting, I wanted a bit more speed…
Kentmere Pan 100 Review: Testing with Canon AE-1P & Canon 300V
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 classic look. Discover below why I chose to do a Kentmere Pan 100 Review. Below is my personal experience, tips, and test impressions for those considering Kentmere…
Kentmere Pan 100 Sample Shots along the Kennet and Avon Canal into Newbury
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 the venerable Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L lens, the result were some lovely Kentmere Pan 100 sample shots. This blog post isn’t about chasing technical perfection—it’s about…
In the Shadow of Giants: Avebury stone circle photography
A Journey into the Mystical Heart of Wiltshire There are landscapes in Britain where time seems thin — where history isn’t buried beneath layers of modern life but walks beside you. Avebury stone circle, in the heart of Wiltshire’s Marlborough Downs, is one of those rare places. Unlike its more famous cousin, Stonehenge, Avebury invites you in. You can walk among the stones, touch them, stand quietly in their presence. And when you do, something changes. I recently spent a morning here,…
Sunday Morning Medium Format Photography on the Kennet and Avon Canal
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 me, a slower kind of photography. This post shares a set of eight new black and white photographs taken during a mid-morning walk along the Kennet…
Experimental Film Photography at Dawn: Silchester Roman Wall on 35mm Film in Medium Format Camera
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, and a handful of carefully placed adaptors, I set out to see what happens when formats collide. 35mm Film in a Medium Format Camera? Yes.…
What Does a Yellow Filter Do in Black & White Photography? (With Examples)
A yellow filter in black and white photography darkens blue skies, improves cloud definition, and increases contrast between tones—without looking overly dramatic. In this guide, you’ll see exactly what a yellow filter does, when to use it, and real film examples shot on medium format. 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 in black and white photography. A few weeks ago, I finally got…
Exploring Motion Blur Photography with Film
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 contrast and grain, resulting in a striking interplay between movement and texture. Why Shoot Motion Blur on Film? Unlike digital photography, where instant feedback allows…
Build Your Own Twin Lens Reflex Camera: A Journey into Film Photography
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 what I’ve learned along the way. This kit is a fantastic introduction to the mechanics of film cameras, perfect for anyone looking to dive deeper…
Kentmere Pan 100 Macro Photography
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 post, I’ll share my personal experience using Kentmere Pan 100 for indoor macro photography, including tips and insights for getting the best results. What Makes…
Film Formats
Most of my shooting is on 35mm — it’s accessible, affordable, and the range of available stocks is enormous. But I save medium format for occasions that feel worth it. The Bronica ETRSi takes 120 film, and the difference in negative size is immediately visible in the final image — a quality of detail and tonal depth that 35mm simply can’t match. I don’t shoot medium format every week, but when I do, I’m more deliberate with every frame. Partly because each roll gives you fewer shots. Partly because the camera demands it.
If you’re starting out, 35mm is the right place to begin. Get comfortable with the process, experiment with different stocks, and don’t rush toward medium format until you’re genuinely ready to slow down even further.
Getting Started with Film
My honest advice: enjoy it before you get bogged down in what the YouTube generation tell you. There is an entire ecosystem of online voices telling you which camera is correct, which film stock is superior, which developer to use, and which rules to follow. Most of it is noise.
Film photography is about more than getting technically good results. Load a camera, go outside, make photographs. The learning comes from doing, not from watching. There will be bad frames, underexposed rolls, and the occasional disaster — that’s part of it. The art matters more than the execution, especially at the beginning.
Why Film Photography?
Film slows you down. That sounds like a limitation but it isn’t — it’s the whole point. When you have 36 frames instead of thousands, you think twice before pressing the shutter. You consider the light, the composition, the moment. That deliberateness is good for the soul in a way that rapid-fire digital shooting rarely is.
There’s something else worth saying that doesn’t get mentioned enough: shooting film regularly makes you a better digital photographer. The habits you build — slowing down, thinking before shooting, being selective — don’t switch off when you pick up a digital camera. Film teaches you to see differently, and that stays with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is film photography worth it in 2026?
Yes — but not for the reasons people often give. Film isn’t worth shooting because it looks better than digital, or because it’s more authentic. It’s worth it because the process changes how you photograph. It slows you down, makes you more deliberate, and produces images that feel genuinely considered. If that appeals to you, film is absolutely worth it.
What is the best film stock for beginners?
There isn’t one perfect film stock — and anyone who tells you otherwise is probably selling something. Fomapan 100 and 400 are excellent starting points: affordable, widely available, and flexible enough to shoot in a range of conditions. Ilford HP5 is another reliable choice. The honest answer is to try several and see what suits your eye.
Can you still buy 35mm film in the UK?
Yes — 35mm film is widely available in the UK, both online and in some high street camera shops. FineArtPics stocks a selection of 35mm film including Fomapan, available to buy directly from the online shop. The resurgence in film photography over the last decade means supply has remained healthy, though prices have risen compared to ten years ago.
Does shooting film improve your digital photography?
In my experience, yes — significantly. The discipline of working with a limited number of frames forces you to think more carefully before shooting. Those habits don’t disappear when you pick up a digital camera. Photographers who shoot film regularly tend to be more selective, more patient, and more intentional with their digital work as a result.
What’s the difference between 35mm and 120 medium format film?
35mm film is the standard format — rolls of 24 or 36 exposures, compatible with a huge range of cameras. 120 is medium format film, producing a larger negative that captures significantly more detail and tonal range. Medium format cameras like the Bronica ETRSi give you fewer frames per roll (typically 12–16) but the image quality at large print sizes is noticeably superior. 35mm is the natural starting point; medium format is worth exploring once you’re comfortable with the process.