Stephen Paul Young Photography
Stephen Paul Young Photography
Photography can seem daunting at first, but it doesn’t have to be. This section is dedicated to photography help, offering clear and practical advice for photographers at every stage of their journey.
Here you’ll find posts on the fundamentals — from mastering exposure and understanding aperture to learning how to use light effectively. There are also tips on composition, creative exercises, and ways to troubleshoot common problems. Each guide is designed to be easy to follow, with examples and explanations that you can put into practice straight away.
Whether you’re picking up a camera for the first time or refining your skills with film or digital, this section will support you with straightforward tutorials and useful resources. The goal is simple: to build your confidence and give you the tools to create photographs you’re proud of.
Wildlife photography combines patience, skill, and a deep appreciation for nature. Capturing the perfect shot requires more than a camera—it demands an understanding of animal behaviour, lighting, composition, and often, a touch of luck. Whether you are photographing grey seals along the…
There was a time when stress, anxiety, and overwhelm felt constant. I didn’t need big solutions—I needed small escapes. That’s when I picked up my camera, took a walk through Ashford Hill Nature Reserve, and found something I didn’t know…
Why Long Exposure Photography Is So Captivating Creative long exposure photography lets you break free from the constraints of “instant” photography. By using longer shutter speeds, you can smooth out motion, stretch time, and create surreal images that tell deeper…
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…
US Tariffs Disrupt Photography – Reflections from a UK Photographer on Gear Costs, Industry Shifts, and Unexpected Workarounds When Donald Trump declared April 2nd “Liberation Day” and slapped a blanket 10% tariff on all US imports—with some Chinese goods facing…
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…
What is Telephoto Photography? Telephoto photography allows you to capture distant subjects with incredible detail. Using lenses with longer focal lengths, you can bring faraway scenes closer and create stunning images. Table of Telephoto Lens Focal Lengths: Focal Length Range…
Landscape photography is a rewarding pursuit that allows photographers to capture the grandeur and beauty of the natural world. However, creating truly captivating landscape images requires more than just pointing your camera at a scenic view. To elevate your 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…
If you’ve ever wondered how to get good pictures? you’re not alone. Whether you’re a budding photographer with an old film camera or someone who simply wants to capture the beauty of nature on a peaceful walk, the path to…
Owning a vintage medium format camera is a joy, but every now and then, the quirks of age can present a challenge. Recently, my Bronica ETRSi began to show signs of a problem: a light leak that had started ruining…
As a photographer, I often find myself caught between two worlds—one grounded in the past, with the tactile and intentional experience of shooting on film, and the other looking forward, embracing the speed and versatility of digital photography. For me,…
Canon EOS 5DS R There’s something deeply nostalgic about a day trip to the North Norfolk Railway, a stretch of heritage line that breathes life into the golden era of steam. The rhythmic clatter of the tracks, the hiss of…
Camera History The History of Cameras and the evolution of camera technology from the early cameras of the 1800s to the present day is a fascinating journey that mirrors the rapid advancements in science, art, and technology. Beginning with the…
The Zenza Bronica ETR series was a line of medium format cameras produced by Zenza Bronica, a Japanese camera manufacturer known for high-quality, professional cameras. The Zenza Bronica ETR Lenses series includes several models, such as the ETR, ETRC, ETRS,…
As photographers, we often find ourselves navigating through the challenges of capturing the perfect shot, and sometimes, unexpected obstacles can emerge. In this blog post, I’ll share a recent experience that left me scratching my head: my Bronica cable release…
Glastonbury Abbey Vintage Slides Continuing on the delightful journey of digitising my old vintage slides, I recently uncovered a trove of mesmerising old pictures from Glastonbury Abbey and Tor, frozen in time from the late 80s. These relics of the…
Film Slide Scanning at Home In embarking on the journey of scanning my cherished film slides[] from the 1980s and 1990s, I found myself immersed in a home scanning project that transcended mere digitisation or slides to digital. My task…
In a world dominated by digital marvels, the allure of the medium format film photography and cameras stands tall, capturing moments with unparalleled grandeur. Let’s embark on a journey through 10 medium format cameras that epitomise timeless craftsmanship. The Majestic…
Landscape photography is an art that transcends capturing mere images; it’s about freezing moments in time, preserving the grandeur of nature. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting, mastering landscape photography requires a blend of skill, creativity, and an…