Finding Focus: My Second Act in Photography
A Hobby Photographer's Journey, One Photo at a Time
First an introduction
Hello, and welcome! My name is Steve Young, and if this post has found you, chances are you share my interest in capturing the stories of the world around us.
Photography has been a quiet constant in my life, a hobby I really enjoyed but rarely had the chance to truly explore. My passion for taking pictures first sparked when I was growing up in the 80s, and over the years, I’ve always kept a camera nearby.
However, most of my photography was hurried, snapping quick memories while out with my family or out on a business trip. The process often involved minimal setup, a quick stop-and-click, then a rush to catch up with the group.
The funny thing is that i have so many pictures of my wife and son walking ahead of me on various trails and outings.
Don’t get me wrong, these snapshots tell me the story of that moment in time, but I look at them now, with what I have learned, and realize my rushed life never allowed me to fully engage with the art of taking the image.
This focus on visual storytelling has been a constant theme for me. In my professional life, I have had a long career in data analytics and visualization. This background sowed in me the understanding that telling stories visually is one of the most potent forms of communication.
How did I get here?
My unexpected entry into full-time photography happened just as I turned 60, following the mass tech layoffs of 2023.
However, I found the transition from a full-time tech career to instant retirement more challenging. With the curtain closing on my professional career, I’ve found myself with a new and wonderful gift: time.
This newfound freedom has completely reignited my old passion. My camera is no longer just a memory-making tool; it has become a new creative outlet.
My goal with Substack - Finding Community
I found it harder to transition from my full-time tech career. Going from hyper busy and stressed to a moment later getting on a muted Teams meeting and becoming instantly retired at almost 60.
My goal with this Substack is simple. I want to share my journey of moving from a casual picture-taker to a more thoughtful, artistic photographer.
What you may find different here is that my perspective is not that of a professional photographer travelling the world, but a hobby photographer learning to take their skills to the next level.
Cost-Conscious Photography
Almost every piece of kit I own is second-hand. I’ve always been a saver by nature, but now that the regular paychecks have stopped, being smart with my budget is more critical than ever. I have found that keeping Amazon sale days has had its benefits.
In this newsletter, we aren’t going to talk about being a globetrotting pro. We are going to talk about:
Sharing photo stories
Getting the most out of the equipment we already have
Finding a community of friends to learn with
Answering the why and how
I am glad you’re here to join me on this journey in the community.
Thanks again.
I am thrilled to embark on this second act of learning, and I hope you’ll join me as I trade the quick snap for the slow, deliberate pursuit of the perfect shot.