Photography Guides & Field Notes
Photography Guides & Field Notes brings together practical, experience-led writing drawn from time spent photographing landscapes, wildlife, and working with film.
Rather than quick tips or gear-driven advice, these guides focus on real situations in the field — from choosing locations and understanding light, to slowing down your approach and working with intention. Many posts are shaped by long walks, repeated visits, and quiet observation, offering guidance rooted in practice rather than theory.
This section is intended for photographers who value process, patience, and learning through doing — whether you’re refining your craft, planning a shoot, or simply looking for a calmer way to engage with photography.
Jacobite Train Photography: A Journey Through Time
This post documents an early photographic journey along the NC500. While my work now focuses more tightly on film practice and field notes, I’ve kept this piece as a record of place, learning, and personal progression. Welcome to the captivating world of Jacobite Train Photography Fort William and Railway Photography Scotland, where I embarked on a journey to immortalise the enchanting steam train experience in the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland. As an avid photographer with a deep appreciation for the nostalgic charm of steam trains, my desire to capture the essence of the Jacobite Train has led me on an extraordinary adventure through the picturesque Scottish countryside. In this personal…
Mastering the Rule of Thirds in Your Photography
Capturing visually appealing and balanced images is a goal of every photographer. One effective technique that can help achieve this is the “Rule of Thirds.” So what is the rule of thirds in photography? The Rule of Thirds in Photography is a basic principle composition that involves dividing an image into a grid of nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines, resulting in four intersecting points. By placing key elements along these lines or at the intersections, photographers can create a more dynamic and visually pleasing composition. In this blog article, we will delve deeper into the concept of the Rule and explore how it can be…
Abide by These Basic Photography Rules for Success
Understanding Photography Photography is a powerful medium for telling stories, conveying emotions, and capturing your precious moments. However, taking a good photograph requires more than just pressing that shutter button. To create visually striking and emotionally compelling images, photographers should understand the fundamental principles of basic photography rules, including composition techniques. Read more great Photography Guide for Beginners. Basic Rules of Photography: The 5 Basic Composition Techniques To improve your photography skills, I believe it is essential to learn a few basic composition techniques or Photography Rules, used in photography. Understanding these rules can help you create more visually interesting and engaging images. Here are some of my basic composition…
Morgaston Ancient Woodlands: A Photo Journey
Photographer Stephen Paul Young writes about Morgaston Ancient Woodlands in Spring.
Black and White Photography: A Complete Guide
Introduction Black and white photography is more than just removing color — it’s about capturing light, shadow, texture, and emotion. Whether you shoot 35mm film, medium format, or digital, B&W offers a timeless aesthetic that emphasizes composition and mood over color. Why Shoot Black and White? Choosing the Right Film For film photographers, selecting the right black and white film is critical. Popular options include: For more guidance, see our full guide: Choosing the Right Film Shooting Techniques Film vs Digital Black and White Developing and Printing Recommended Resources Conclusion Black and white photography lets you see the world differently — focusing on tone, texture, and emotion. Whether capturing landscapes, portraits, or street…
Urban Street Photography Mastery: Unveiling the Essence of City Life & 5 Top Tips
Disclaimer: None of the following constitutes legal advice for Urban Street Photography. My Urban Street Photography This blog entry covers my recent trip to the city of Winchester. My photographic project idea covered a few elements that I wanted to try or test out. So, armed with my trusty old Canon AE-1 Program and a 35mm roll of Ilford FP4Plus, I set off. The idea was to capture some Urban Photography, specifically, Winchester on Black and White Film in 2023, a photography project that I have been planning on for the past year. Ive placed the photos in the video above just for those who like to relax and chill…
7 Inspiring Square Crop Black and White Photography Tips
Some may argue that the Square Crop Black and White photograph limits possibilities, there are several benefits that should not be overlooked
10 Magical iPhone Photography Tips to Supercharge Your Mobile Shots
iPhone Steps to Better Photography In recent years, the iPhone has become one of the most popular cameras in the world. With its high-quality lens, easy-to-use interface, and powerful editing tools, the iPhone is an excellent tool for capturing stunning photos. In this iphone photography tips for beginners article, I’ll provide 10 iPhone Photography Tips and tricks, along with some examples from my portfolio of Stephen Paul Young Photography. Clean Your Lens The first and most important step in taking great photos with your iPhone is to clean the lens. A dirty lens can result in blurry or smudged photos, so be sure to give your lens a quick wipe…
Indulge in 6 Savoury Photographs of Borough Market London: A Photographer’s Gastronomic Delight
A day trip to London during late summer of 2022 without my trusty usual camera! except the one in my pocket, an iPhone. The following photographs were all taken during the day in and around the Borough Market London area.
