More shooting, less editing.

Modern photo editing tools are incredibly powerful but nothing beats the feeling of getting the shot right at the time you trip the shutter.
On a short outing to my local forest I spend more time weighing up scenes than I do shooting, and the results made it worthwhile.
Equipment Used
Bronica SQA-i
Ilford Delta 400 developed in 510 Pyro 1:100 for 22 mins semi-stand
Velbon Carbon Fibre Tripod with Manfrotto 3 way head
Preview App
Mark II Artists Viewfinder (iOS only on the App Store)
Vlogging Equipment
GoPro Hero 10
Rode Wireless Go 2 Mic
iPhone 14Pro
Etsy Shop
steveonionspho...
Contact Details
Email: [e-mail]
Twitter: Steve_ONions / steve_onions
Instagram: steveonions1 / steveonions1
KZbin: / @steveonions

[@roykropp155]

"If you want your work to survive, do what you enjoy and keep doing it." Another O'Nions wisdom added to my list of photography quotes.

[@shasha8900]

I listen to 100’s of photography vids online. Gotta say you are clearly one of the very best, creative and brilliant teachers online. Really take your breath away images

[@SteveONions]

Wow, thank you!

[@nigeldawson5960]

This channel always present practical and quality information about technique and artistic efforts. So much better than the gear chattering types. We see the good and less good here. Loyal watcher. Thank you.

[@autisticlife]

Same from me, thank you.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Nigel 👍

[@Larpy1933]

Steve, thanks for consistently including your exposure measurements and discussing how you make use of those to realize your artist vision.

[@SteveONions]

My pleasure!

[@davidwalsh566]

You show the value of revisiting familiar locations; such outings force us to look with new eyes and often to 'see' for the first time beauty in the mundane. Bravo!

[@SteveONions]

Glad you enjoyed it David.

[@CalumetVideo]

This channel is one of the best, if not the best photography channel. Steve is the Bob Ross of Photography. Lots of useful information! Keep it up!!!!!!

[@SteveONions]

Glad you like the videos 😊

[@washingtonradio]

Steve, you comments about being true to ones artistic vision and not following trends and fads is very important for people to remember. What makes anyone's work important is what they communicate about themselves through there work.

[@SteveONions]

Very true 👍

[@azfactor7875]

I really liked the last shot of the tree trunks at 13:00, especially the height at which you set the camera. It's a bit lower which adds interest and makes the subject more apparent. And it appears that you had the place to yourself, which is always nice.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Bob. It’s quite a busy little forest but if you’re early, or the weather is bad you can get a little peace and quiet.

[@oldfilmguy9413]

Isn't it funny that sometimes the shots we think are likely to be somewhere between average to reasonably good turn out o be our favorites when we get a good look at the final result. That last shot of the tree trunks was definitely my favorite for composition and content. Cheers!

[@SteveONions]

Very true. I’ve since found the first shot more acceptable than on first inspection. It’s fascinating which images people prefer when posting on Instagram, usually my favourites don’t go down well!

[@danncorbit3623]

Loved the three trees (my favorite). Second image great also. The bold group of large tree trunks was nice.

[@SteveONions]

Glad you enjoyed it Dann.

[@impressionsoflight9263]

Excellent images mate. I love how you “see” what us mere mortals would miss.

[@thecooldude71]

You prop him up as a god?

[@impressionsoflight9263]

Not a god. If he was a “god” he wouldn’t keep forgetting his polariser filter :). Any fool can use a camera, you could teach a monkey to take photos, but the really good photographers “see”. Most photographers (including me) could walk in the Steve’s footsteps through the forest and not see the compositions he sees.

[@SteveONions]

Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@ronwhite8503]

Fernage.......my new word of the day. Blimey, I'm first.

[@AliasJimWirth]

Hey Steve. Nice outing. I liked your talk through's for these images, and your advice to shoot what you like and leave the trends to others. Putting the camera away is a good idea even if shooting digital, I find. Took a few days trip with family and as we walked around, I found that the more I left my camera out and at the ready, the poorer my shots became over time. Loss of discernment I think. I enjoyed this video and the time with you, as always. Thank you.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks James. I take far too many images with the digital camera and end up comparing them endlessly in Lightroom to find the best. With film I have one or two to pick from and that makes life a lot easier.

[@eltinjones4542]

Any watch will do. I never use anything else to time long exposures An interesting video and compositions as always 📷👍

[@johnmarriott9166]

More wise words from you on photography trends and how they age. When everyone tries to copy then the style ages quickly. Go your own way and enjoy 👍

[@SteveONions]

At least there’s one advantage of age 😊

[@kenblair2538]

Great philosophy , Steve. Very interesting use of the 250mm lens. I must get mine out and try photographing something . Thanks. KB

[@SteveONions]

I do like that lens Ken but it is big and hefty.

[@salvatoreventura8667]

Very inspiring. Nice to see one can make beautiful images that are not not typical of iconic scenes!

[@SteveONions]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@utekopka7920]

Beautiful pictures and very wise words Steve! You are absolutely right: It is so important for every photographer to be true to themselves. Thank you so much for sharing this very inspiring video!

[@SteveONions]

Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@jhenline7813]

My favourite is the tree trunks image Steve. I love beech trees and love to photograph them myself...in black and white 👍

[@SteveONions]

Thank you 🙂

[@sanclewphotographic]

One of your best Videos from this Woodland, Its so messy in parts It must make interesting images especially in Spring and Autumn and If anyone can get the best out of it you can, regards, Colin.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Colin. I am looking forward to the bright spring mornings, once summer arrives the midges own the place!

[@jsbphotog]

Another great video. This is something I need to work on- too often as I'm reviewing scans in Lightroom I realize I could have easily improved the image by just moving a bit one way or another when taking the photo.

[@SteveONions]

I spend a long time shuffling around with the camera once setup, just an inch or two can make a big difference to the result.

[@MpenziYako]

Well, I'm sitting here on a grey morning thinking there's no point in going out in this sort of weather. But, having what watched your video Steve, and knowing there are some trees about not far from here, I am going to drag out my Nikkormat Ft2, tripod and HP5 PLUS, and enjoy my afternoon. Thanks Mark

[@SteveONions]

Hope your trip out resulted in some keepers Mark 👍

[@stuartbaines2843]

Wise words 👍 Local exploration is always rewarding. I Avoid crowds which flock to known photo spots.

[@trevorbrooks813]

Thanks for another interesting video Steve, a couple of good ones in there. Yes film has a habit of making you weigh up the scene more carefully, the cost of each exposure and the number remaining counting down each time you fire the shutter does encourage rather more discernment than wielding the digital. A lovely time in the woods too, top stuff.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Trevor. Even though B&W is still very affordable I do think about the scanning and post processing work involved when I get home. Fewer shots leave me with more time.

[@SloopJohnBee-vq6dw]

Ah, Casio watches. I have one for football matches as part of my job just for its stopwatch. But I have bought a couple of cool Casios just for their style. And still relatively cheap. 👍📸

[@SteveONions]

I think they got that watch design just right from the start. I bought one in 1980 with one of my first pay cheques and the current versions have an identical layout.

[@lensman5762]

Photographing the forest when despite bei g colourful, in B&W terms it is almost monochromatic is a difficult job. Well done Steve. The photographs are spot on.

[@SteveONions]

It was very monochromatic that day largely due to the light. I’ve returned recently and shot colour as the sun was shining and it was a totally different place.

[@stevenwhite921]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and work Steve:)

[@SteveONions]

My pleasure Steven.

[@malcolmrendle6622]

Another inspiring video, loved the tree trunk shot, once again many words of wisdom... will have to get the Bronica out, haven't used mine for a while.

[@SteveONions]

I need to give some of the rarely used cameras a run out soon Malcolm. I’ve put a roll through a few of the folders in anticipation.

[@malcolmrendle6622]

@@SteveONions will look forward to the video. Have yet to produce anything worth printing from my 6x9 Agfa Record, there is always an issue of some sort, last time I thought that I had a light leak as film had some fogging, however after further investigation proved to be expired fixer.....

[@gizmophoto3577]

Your words at about 7:30 about shooting what you like ring loud and true.

[@haroldcarlson2775]

Agreed. There is no need to be influenced by what's on social media.

[@SteveONions]

Once you’ve given up chasing trends, and likes, life gets a lot easier.

[@chriscard6544]

you are very inspiring.

[@SteveONions]

Wow, thank you

[@Paul9]

Throughly enjoyed this as always Steve. This forest is my local haunt for photography and running. It’s probably sad that I recognise particular trees in your videos 😆 I just wish I had your composition skills to make an image out of them.

[@SteveONions]

Thanks Paul, as you know there are fewer and fewer hidden spots these days since they started returning much of the area to wetlands. I particularly miss the dense patches of trees that had deposited a carpet of needles over the years, so silent in there.

[@tomislavmiletic_]

There's cables with a lock button / leaver / screw out there. So no aching in those hands anymore. I have one that I got from my uncle some 40 yrs ago and it still works...

[@SteveONions]

I do have a lock on my cable but prefer to hold it down manually for exposures less than a minute. Sometimes the cable can release part way through and cost me a frame 🙁

[@tomislavmiletic_]

@@SteveONions ouch

[@guillaumebouqueau]

« Too much wind » 😂

[@SteveONions]

☺️

[@autisticlife]

I had a tobacco grad.............. I like your approach to photography.

[@SteveONions]

I remember buying a stack of those artistic filters when they were being sold off cheap by a camera shop in Liverpool. I soon discovered why they wanted to offload them 😲

[@simonbarnes7124]

This is great having such nice woodland minutes from home. Working full time my days of photography are limited to weekends where I encounter so many dog walkers and some angry dogs. I have to wait ages sometimes just to trip the shutter so no one is in my shots. Do you manage to get out on a weekday when it's quieter and less people?

[@SteveONions]

I also struggle with the large number of visitors these days Simon. It used to be a lot easier to find locations off the main tracks but the whole area has been opened up for recreation in recent years. It is best in spring when the bright early mornings mean you can get most of it to yourself.

[@oudviola]

Nice! I also like that first one with the branches coming from the right. Any particular reason for using Delta 400 vs HP5?

[@SteveONions]

Either film would have done a good job but Delta 400 is a little sharper and finer grained and that suits the subject matter I photographed here, lots of branches and tiny details.

[@pixelpeter3883]

Nice outro :-)

[@poniatowski3547]

Thanks for another great video Steve. How do you do your pyro 510 semi stand and do you use it for more than this emulsion?

[@SteveONions]

I’ve only tried it a handful of times to be honest but the results have been good. I’d like to give it a try when I’ve shot some very contrasty scenes, hopefully it will compensate for the bright skies.

[@jw48335]

Amazing shots Steve! Nice to see you satisfied with your efforts too! I'm curious - have you considered using a 6x4.5 film back for the Bronica? I use an ETR, C220, and GW690 (mk1 with bulb mode), which gives me 4:3, 1:1, and 3:2. I've often considered going to a GS-1 with multiple film backs sizes, but it's such a big beastie 😁

[@SteveONions]

To be honest I’d rather crop after the shoot as one of the best things about 6x6 cameras is never having to turn them on their sides. I did like my Mamiya 645 and the 4:3 aspect ratio is a lot nicer than 3:2.

[@jw48335]

@@SteveONions I do that occasionally with my C220, and it's certainly nice not worrying about orientation. Unrelated, my order of fresh Kodak 2460 Aerocolor CN 220 ISO 100 from Reflex labs showed up yesterday😁 I finally get to use fresh 220 on all these old bodies. The GW especially, 16 shots seems crazy.

[@kingair414]

hello I would like to know the name of the reciprocity failure application please thank you have a good day

[@chriscard6544]

I have one called Exposure Assistant for Android, almost the same one.

[@SteveONions]

It’s just called Reciprocity Timer in the App Store 🙂

[@oskarmieczkowski6023]

What film was that? Was it infrared? Suits the foliage 😁👍🏻

[@Larpy1933]

Steve noted that he was using Delta 400.

[@SteveONions]

Yes Delta 400.