Film zealots, taking criticism and simple cameras 

One of the reasons I like your videos is because it’s about photography and the stunning views you show. Photography is subjective and not everyone is going to like your work and that’s ok. Keep up the great work.

I think this video will resonate with many photographers Steve. The tyranny of more megapixels and gear is wiped away with the photographic image quality of fewer megapixels and simpler gear. I think we are at a transition where each era of photography that we’ve been through is once again valid as people become bored with the pixel race.

Love the shadow shot. . . and your attitude to life, photography, walking, zealots, nature. . .

Hi Steve, I love taking my camera with me when I'm out and about, it helps me enjoy the beauty around me. I like to pare down my gear on many jaunts. I tend to ignore the zealots and fanbois as the gear used is only a tool, nothing more. Film, digital, brand, etc. are only tools to and end and ultimately not very important.

I didn’t realize there were film zealots, but now that I know I kinda want a Film Zealot T-shirt.

Cheers Steve, it’s Sean in Atlanta! I feel exactly the same way that you do about long walks with my camera! I am an early morning guy so I am out every morning that it’s not raining here in Atlanta. One of the perks of early morning walks is the discovery of the unknown! Wonderful! It’s kind of my healing time just for me! I couldn’t stand walking around without my Nikon! Thanks for another smashing video! You know your stuff! Sean P.S. Don’t listen to haters! I think people should just shoot on whatever type of camera they want and enjoy the process because the process is everything! Take care!

You've summed it up, Steve. Just be true to yourself ... and control the controllables.

Always look forward to your videos Steve, love your attitude to criticism, it really doesn't matter what others think, the main thing is that you're out enjoying yourself and enhancing your own life. I'm always amazed at the quality of images that you make and with whatever gear you are using, it just goes to show that it's the person that makes the photograph not the gear. Loved those last two images, superb. Thanks for sharing with us all and for continuing to inspire with your work.

This is the type of content that brings me back to this channel every week. Crack on, don't hold back Steve.

Walk and talk with Steve is a good time. Would buy the man a pint as thanks for the great videos, tips, and images.

Simple equipment is grand. Just bought an old Fuji bridge camera; 7mp, 10x zoom and a ccd processor. It cost me less than£10 with postage....I love it.

Great video as always Steve! Lots of good talking points as well! I wish more photographers would accept those of us who aren't dedicated to a specific medium. I think your last shot was the best shot of the day! Abstract, personal, and graphic! Best of all, it shows that good photography can happen in ANY light, rather than our preconceived ideas of what "good" light is.

Glorious walk and very wise words to go with it. Wonderful photos particularly your shadow shot with the sand textures at the top..that's stunning!👏👏👏

'Just lighten up' - yup! I really enjoyed being along on your walk, as usual.

That was great Steve. Thanks for the inspiration.

Came for the photography adventure left with A-tier life advice.

Beautiful scenery and photos. I always marvel that you so easily find your way back to your starting point 🧭! Thanks for the enjoyable video.

I never miss one. The best to do it on RU-vid. Talent and wisdom is a tough combination to beat. Thank you, Steve!!

Just continue to shoot those marvelous images with commentaries. No one is ever immune from brickbats, that makes us human. Life is meant to be enjoyed in a meaningful way. That image at 10.41 is absolutely lovely, reminds me of the old masters. You’re right - I do long walks myself with the missus, purposely with a 15 year old compact CCD with 24-60mm zoom. It gives me more opportunities which I would otherwise not find with my regular serious camera, simply because I am enjoying the walk without expectations. I am convinced that is the key - keep it simple . Cheers

You ARE the best photographer/philosopher on RU-vid. No doubt.

You’re so right about the walking mindset and creativity. It certainly helps 👍📸

Nice walk - great advice. Keep happy.

Great photo walk and talk, Steve. Yep, agree, it's all about the image. Just love the shadow image that's creativity. Thanks. KB

Hello Mr Steve I'm watching your videos at the moment because I left the city to live in the mountains/forest south of France (Pyrénées) Before that I was more of a architecture/everyday life in the streets kinda photographer (so was my RU-vid algorithm). But as I left the City, you work inspired me for creating landscape photography! Very excited on a creative Point of view. Have a good day, cheers.

I'm with you. I love photography and I don't care if it is with a digital or analogue camera. I love them both. I don't have space for a darkroom anymore and use a hybrid process exclusively. I find it fun. I love loading film, taking photos, rewinding and developing my film. I prefer more "grainless" than grainy film. When it was only film, I often used technical Pan or panatomic-X to get that "grainless" look. I love using my Sony digital. I generally shoot most of my color with digital and use my film cameras (all sizes) for B&W. However, I do use color film also, I think people ought to follow your greatest advice--go out and have fun!!! I have little patience for gatekeepers.

Great video and great photos, Steve, specially those last ones. I bought myself a Nikon F55 because I saw it in your channel and couldn't be happier! Cheers!

I could not agree mor with you Steve, regarding keeping the equipment simple and light. Last Sunday I eventually dragged myself to Manchester city centre for a couple of hours. At the end of it I found the M6 and three small Leitz lenses just too heavy. Yes, it was a hot sunny day but I felt the burden, and that is one of my simp!est set ups. When I got home I thought to myself that I could have made 80% of the shots on the two rolls of film that I used, just by my Minox35 or Olympus RC. I have learnt that once the mind accepts the limitation of carrying a single lens, it will adapt to the compositions presented. A lesson that I have to keep on reminding myself of. Great photography on your part, and those negative people can go and watch others making Fine Art photography, whatever the hell that is these days. Thank you.

Hi Steve, I can't imagine what ever anyone might have to criticise about your Vlogs... All totally innocuous and free of conflict and anything contentious from my perspective. Great inspiration to me.

Good mantra mentioned in your video. Mine is "never argue with an idiot, it brings you down to their level" 😂

It's been a while since I tuned into one of your videos. Thank you for the reminder of how enjoyable a simple camera on a walking trail can be, leaving all the other baggage behind.

I'm afraid negativity and social media will always go hand in hand. People in the past with negative thoughts kept those thoughts with them. Now people "share" those thoughts immediately on social media, not necessarily related to the post they're commenting on. Whether they contribute or harm doesn't matter. It's anonymous and they feel better (do they really?) so why bother. That's the reason I avoid social media as much as possible. The world hasn't got any better with social media, I'm afraid... However, I love your input. Your down to earth style, the walks in beautiful sceneries, wise words and (film) photography subjects....What can go wrong? I'd say, keep them coming!!!

Great video Steve, you've got it right, all of it. Thanks for posting.

That Estuary was screaming out to be taken and i think you did it justice. Liked the selfie as well - why wouldn't ya? On the subject of walks - yes, me too, however my walks are never as long (distance-wise) as intended, and invariably take up far more time than intended. The moment i see a photo opportunity i'm overcome with a madness, and in the region i live in those opportunities are absolutely everywhere. Sometimes i don't even make it to the front gate.... Great vid - enjoyed your company - all the very best - not a zealot.

Always look forward to your vids Steve ....keep up the good work

Beautiful scenery in this episode!

@SteveONions This was a beautiful video, aesthetically and philosophically. Thank you.

Love my walks! They can't be too long and weather dependent! Heart condition. Rats! The joy of seeing and snapping! Love your easy manner and results! Vey enjoyable video. Bravo!

You have an excellent way with words.

Those last two shots were superb. A great way to end a gorgeous day and fully deserving of an ice cream. But it had to be a mint chop chip, surely? 😀

Superb video as always Steve. I find myself just walking with my camera. I tend to stay local in West Cornwall and often set off with no idea where I'll end up.

hah i remember back when film "zealots" would gatekeep and flame digital users for trying to replicate film by using "film-like filters" on their digital images. i'm also an advocate for simple gears, currently using the Sony ZV1 which is supposed to be a vlogging camera lol. but since it's a stripped down Sony RX100V, it takes good quality pics too. subbed for the peaceful photographic journeys.

Top content as always Steve. I recently picked up an Agfa Clack, about as simple as you can get and I’m loving the images it’s producing.

What an absurdly beautiful place....lovely pictures and superb scenery! I also try just to move through the world, without getting hung up on what ever adversities that comes along these days. I like the positive way of looking at this life! Enjoyed this episode very much, there is always something here that inspires the mind and eye!

Just returned from Lanzarote wonderful island. I took my digital camera and my pinhole. I took about 20 on my digital and two on my pinhole. It was the walking and talking with my wife that was more important. I just didn’t want to a camera out of my bag. I agree with your comments on zealots in all walks of life. I haven’t got time to waste. My camera I use why I want. Best wishes to all.

It's your party etc! Great shots bye the way, especially the last ones 📷👍

A fantastic video Steve and the soundtrack just echoed your sentiments in its entirity.I'm no great photographer,never have been,never will be.......But over my 69 yeras,(well about 60 of them) if i had a camera in my hand i was made up.I think maybe most folk thought i was a bit odd,but now 60 years later,photographs of the old lads in the local pub's,and sights sound,s and scenes that are no longer,only makes me wish i had taken even more :) .Just do what makes you happy Steve and we will happilly follow along with you . 😀

Excellent video and images!!!

Ignore the haters, Steve! What I have always loved about your videos is that you go out to enjoy yourself, your photography and take us along your trip. Keep doing you and beautiful photos as always!

Really enjoyed this video Steve. The walk was fantastic as were the images; my favourite being your shadow on the sand. Kind regards Robin

What a wonderful walk with some super scenery! I agree with a lot of what you are saying - the photograph is the goal and it doesn't matter which process you use to achieve it. Sometimes film is magical and sometimes digital is magical. I shoot mainly film, but when I started shooting digital in the noughties, it was the instant feedback from digital that taught me where I was making the mistakes - so it helped me improve. Great video and a joy to watch. Keith

Best photography related video I have seen for years. Thanks.

Cheers Steve! Llynnau Cregennen and the Cadair Idris range are some of my favourite locations in that area. A lovely walk, some lovely shots and some common sense. Don't need owt else. All the best from the Rhondda.

Hi Steve ! Great video !!!

Thank you for another nice video. Wales looks so wonderful. Could you share some more information about the way you digitize your film? Or have you allready made a video about that?

Hello Steve, I am very much a walker with a camera and have followed this path for almost 40 years. Never going out with any intention and allowing the walking to lull you into a state of awareness where you see deeper and more fully. I have been mulling over whether to introduce some video capture of my process but worry as so many you tubers seem to arrive at a point where it overtakes the process of their photography. I’d be interested in a clip where you discuss how to simplify the joint process of wandering and video documentation, Thank you for your channel👍😀

Great vid, thank you! 🙏🏻 Love seeing the breathtaking homeland of some of my ancestors.

Took me a while to get to sit down and watch this. But wonderful video and photographs as always. Like a morning meditation your videos often are.

You're spot on about keeping things simple in terms of camera and lens selection when out and about. I have lost count of the number of times I have taken too much just in case (and still I find it a hard lesson to follow!). I have spent much of this year making the effort to carry as little as possible and to this end I have been experimenting with various old film PAS and pocket cameras which do not cost an arm or leg. So far the Ricoh FF-9, Agfa Optima and Minox ML are impressing me (all bought for between £40 and £50). I can carry one for colour and one for B&W with no effort at all. More to the point the simple approach just keeps things fun.

Enjoyed your video a wander and good points of view. Getting out is good for the mind

Wonderful landscape and video. Film or digital, I think a minimalist amount of gear is the way to go on these walks.

Lovely video! There will always be complainers & as you said take pictures however you want to. It is the end result of your day that matters.

What a brilliant video Stephen! Great advice and philosophy as always 👍

Love the shot of your shadow! Really, for me, the best of several very nice pics.

Beautiful soundtrack Steve

Went for a walk today, myself. Took out some expired velvia and my zeiss ikon nettar. Nice sunny day, some cloud did come over, though. Used sunny 16 so I don't know how the pics will turn out. But, even if they're all trash, I'm not too worried. I had a good day and that's all that matters!

I have two rolls of Rollei 400 IR in the fridge. Can't wait to try them out :)

Thanks Steve. I'd actually never heard that Maxim ' never complain, never explain '. I really like the sentiment. May try to put that to work for my own life, maybe map out a bit of quiet amid the day to day noise. Some great photos, btw. As usual

I always look forward to your videos. I ahve enjoyed this one. When I watch your videos I pause them and see where you are on Bing Maps and Google Maps, it is some of the fun of being out in these places. Because of work, family commitments and distance I rarely get to North Wales and if I am up that way I am working, your videos are my North Wales fix. I see photography like you do. One of your videos that I often recall was you going out with your Olympus 35 rangefinder camera only. That video inspired me to do the same and look for photographs with minimal equipment, I do this lots now. Tomorrow my Olympus XA is coming back from being serviced. I am eager to load it with a film and take it out, don't know which film yet but it will be in the XA by tomorrow evening.

"Stoked" == "Rightly Chuffed", eh? Great stuff! A reminder to stop chasing the next greatest thing, settle in and use what you have to create. One will never become a better photographer by just owning the latest geegaws.

Steve, hi! As always, you make great videos and touch on very interesting and deep topics. I too have come to the conclusion: the complexity or simplicity of the equipment has no effect on anything, only on the weight you have to carry with you. :-) Though sometimes I want to work with some camera specially, to feel it tactilely, to feel its peculiarities. Then I take it and adjust my walk to it. But sometimes you want to be free and light as a bird, to go wherever your eyes just look! Then I take something light, compact, and it doesn't matter whether it's film or digital. I totally agree with you that there is no contradiction between film and digital. In fact, these technologies complement each other! And I don't understand people who are irreconcilable adherents of one or the other technology. Again, you are right that you should publish what you shoot. I don't even know how to start arguing with you :-) you express exactly my point of view. There's an old Italian saying that I've been following for years, ‘Go your own way and let people say what they want!’ Again, thanks for the video and take care!

Thumbs up for those last two shots!

Great video Steve. I love watching film photography videos of all types, much more than the digital versions mainly because I have only a small yearning for doing my own analogue work and it gives me my 'fix' of nostalgia. I think all photographers should realize we are all part of a fairly niche movement to create our own images - images that please us rather than merely consumers of commercial media - if we don't have some cohesion with other photographers and, dare I say it, artists, there will be nothing for us to do than sit at home AI-ing Eryri on our iPhones!

Nice vid steve. If I get tangled up with a film zealot of the "ONLY analog from shutter to print" type I always ask them how they share their images - surely they don't invite their friends round to a slide show with a projector nowadays? Or maybe they do it......... digitally?.............usually shuts them up.

Brilliant Steve thank you. You have such a nice way of saying things. Don’t mean that in a bad way you are just smooth. Personally I hate the digital world love analogue but don’t have the time. Happy days when I could spend hours in the darkroom but retired now and just don’t have the time. However can’t get the enthusiasm to do more than snap on the phone I will get there though.

Cant think why anyone would criticize anything you have ever done. Your photography has always been great and so has been your videos.

I commend your approach in not engaging with people who go looking for conflict through the Comments section. It seems to me that your ability to shrug off that occasional negativity is at least partly due to the fact that you take and share your photographs out of a love of the places, process and results rather than because you seek the approval of others. It's a practice that encourages as much mental health as does all the walking in such beautiful surroundings. Again, thanks for taking us along and sharing your trips, photos, and musings. And the low tide shot with your shadow at 14:25 worked very well as did the one at 14:35.

Bang on! And wow did you get the place to yourself. Stunning location. And the sentiments, crack on, have fun, show what you’re all about, love that!

A nice walk Steve, thank you. A couple of likes I got from it. Like the hut @ 5:46 and the fence @ 7:51. Like your approach to Inane criticism😁 Cheers Diz

Great video Steve. While I prefer the rendering of film, I shoot plenty of digital, especially if I’m shooting for others. I reject the idea that if you have any element of digital in your workflow then you’re not shooting analog. Digital scans and digital prints accurately reflect the rendering of film. I too have a darkroom and love to print B&W in there, but if I need to print in color or go bigger than 11x14, I use my Epson P900. I love the prints I get from pigment printers.

Cracking video Steve, and a lot if sense spoken Sir 👍

Great location and images Steve! I agree with your thoughts in this video, it doesn't matter what photographers use to make their photos, I happen to like BW film but I could care less what someone else is using. And the negativity towards scanning film drives me nuts 😂 when I scan film it looks like I made a photo with film, plus how else am I going to get these images into a book or magazine, I love the option of being able to print in the darkroom as well as print in a digital workflow when needed.

Great video. I couldn't agree more with your views. please keep them coming!

Very good video, Steve. Sound reasoning. Some nice pics too. A short comment because this topic could be debated until the cows come home. Cheers.

I'm intrigued by your use of infrared film without an infrared filter. I've always used the R72 with IR film, but I like the look you've achieved.

great video Steve , simple is somtimes best , when i am out walking sometimes i have my Mamiya 135 ef film camera , its a great , a 38mm fixed lens and the frame counter does not work but thats ok ,but most of all takes fantastic photos.........

Steve thanbks this was very interesting & I agree with your thoughts. Images are great, makes me want to visit Wales!

Photography helps me clear the baggage that I was raised to believe!! I try to understand others who never challenge their ignorances but am often lost. Here in America we are undergoing a great political upheaval. I can't help but believe we would all be better off if we got out for a walk and challenged out thinking. Photography opens my mind to new vistas. I learn that as small as I am I am a vast well of hunger for contact with the mysteries of life. I wish you another 100 years of service to these mysteries! David

People complain about what you do?? Wow! I live in a similarly beautiful area on the West Coast of Canada with rainforest all around yet sometimes I find myself thinking “there is nothing to photograph 😂”. My solution is to watch one of your videos .. it gives me motivation to go out.

good shots there steve i like to shoot both film and digital as colour film is a bit of a price so i use digital for that.

Excellent pictures, and another proof that gear doesn‘t matter

Thanks Steve - really enjoyed the scenery having lived in the mid wales as a child a spent many days in the Barmouth area. Completely agree with your points … just don’t get some people …think a lot of it could be being stuck to pcs, laptops, smart devices etc for extended periods of time ,resulting in making comments that are extreme and silly because they lose track of reality a bit. Probably sensible ,nice people when out and about. As you say ,get out for a long walk and take some pics of anything ..with anything! Loved the self portrait shadow image - cheers.

People should do the things that make them happy instead of trying to impose their views on others. This should apply to all aspects of our life and not just photography. Unfortunately social media has given voice to a lot of idiots who are mostly happy doing that because their lives are so sad!

Looked a lovely day for Infrared was that down to the tripod factor Steve? Thank you for sharing:)

at 3:52 there is a photograph behind you. you could shot that gate. demonstrate how this kit lens perform at 80mm and f8. bit cliche but from technical point of view. anyway nice photo-walk, nice video, great location and photographs.

Good for you Steve, shoot whatever you like, have fun and show the world what you're all about...can't understand why anyone would go out of their way to criticise you. Anyway, another very enjoyable and informative Vlog...thank you.

Steve, as always most of your photographs are gorgeous. When do you publish a book of them?

My challenge in commenting on some of your videos, including this one, is that they are so rich and there is so much to comment on. So let me just sum up on this one: yes.

Thank you.

Great line up of cameras f55, F65, F75 even the old F60 as minimal as a camera gets

The proof is in the pudding in the end isn't it , your shots are always fantastic, doesn't t matter how you got it . Film zealots I find are the same as the straight out of camera people with no processing. It's horses for courses really, I still work so it's what ever system works for you, and enables you to get out