I have been delivering talks to clubs and societies for over 20 years. Initially starting with amateur radio contesting and more recently on Astronomy and Photography.

Following on from the success of the recent talks I am putting together further talks centered around photography on subjects and the places I have visited in pursuit of this wonderful hobby.

The talks I give are delivered to a variety of audiences and at an appropriate level from general clubs that show the results to photography/astronomy societies that provide more of the “how”.
I am also a STEM ambassador and can provide outreach to both schools and colleges.

No two talks are ever the same as I continually refresh them with new content with an added ingredient of humour.

I can provide projector, screen and laptop.

I travel across the whole of the UK and even the odd trip overseas delivering these presentations. I am also available at short notice should your club receive a last minute cancellation.

The dates for my upcoming talks are <HERE>

The costs for an evening are ….
£40 (within 15 miles of Filey)
£60 (between 20-40 miles of Filey)
£80 (over 40 miles + possible overnight accommodation costs)

Main Talks (40 to 60 min talks) include …

Discovering the night sky – Astrophotography using binoculars or a telescope and then seeing a difference a camera can make. This presentation also includes aurora photography with most photos being taken locally.

A priceless jewel in the middle of nowhere – Ascension island

It’s a bugs life – Macro photographs of insects, butterflies and flowers

Durness – Photography from the very far northwestern point in Scotland

Shorter (10 to 20 minute talks) include …

Wartime Weekend – From Pickering to Grosmont candid photographs that capture the 1940’s (20 mins)

Air to Air refueling – Somewhere over the South Atlantic – reference to Op Black Buck (10 mins)

Team ZC4 – Ham radio operating from the Sovereign Base of Cyprus and contesting (20 mins – light hearted)

FEEDBACK Received …

Dear Steve, I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for the incredible photography presentation you delivered at Ashington Camera Club on Thursday night. Your insights, creativity, and passion for photography truly captivated the audience and provided valuable knowledge and inspiration. Your ability to showcase the artistry behind each image, along with your technical expertise, made the session both educational and engaging. We especially appreciated your discussion on [Astrophotography], which gave the members a new perspective on photography. It was a pleasure to learn from you, and the club members are grateful for the time and effort you put into sharing your expertise. Hopefully some of the members will look at applying some of the techniques you discussed, we would hope to have the opportunity to see more of your work in the future. Once again, thank you for your inspiring presentation. Please keep up the great work, and I hope our paths cross again soon.

Stephen Bowden is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS) and recently delivered a presentation entitled “Discovering the night sky”. Photographs were shared of deep sky objects such as Galaxies and Nebulas including detailed images of our closest star with most of these taken from his back garden observatory near Filey in North Yorkshire. Stephen also explained in simple terms how the Northern Lights manifest together with photographs taken of the aurora from Filey and Scarborough area. Most of the photographs presented had been taken using a digital SLR camera and Stephen was happy to share “how” the photographs were captured so that audience members with similar aspirations could achieve the same results. The talk was extremely well received and generated much discussion with our society members. A very different but enlightening talk that clearly demonstrated his passion and enthusiasm on this subject. We look forward to receiving Stephen back soon for another of his talks.

This is the 3rd visit from Steve and he offered a new talk he has written called “A priceless jewel in the middle of nowhere”. The presentation uncovered an absolutely fascinating experience documenting the life and scenery from a remote volcanic island in the middle of the South Atlantic. Steve was invited to Ascension island and his photography culminated with two of his photographs gaining Royal approval and progressing onto postage stamps. Steve was very passionate about his experiences on the island and the talk was very engaging with several members later commenting they felt they were actually there. This was our societies largest gathering yet for a talk and we look forward very much to Steve’s next visit. Though we may need a larger venue.

It was nice to meet up with you again. On behalf of the Beverley Photographic Club I would like to thank you for an entertaining evening. Your presentation on “Discovering the night sky” was both humorous and very knowledgeable. There were some spectacular images especially of Nebulas. You answered the numerous questions very well and in depth which is always a bonus. My personal favourite image was of the refueling plane and although you might have been lucky (your words), the sharpness of the silhouette against the moon was fantastic. Must be one in a million. Thank you again until the next time.

Filey Rotary had the pleasure of welcoming Steve Bowden to give us his talk “Discovering the night sky”. This was a fascinating talk where Steve showcased a number of his amazing photos and a few jokes and facts thrown in to make it very engaging and informative.

Steve is a brilliant photographer. His Astro stuff goes over my head but he’s a real expert. The thing you didn’t see is his landscape work and he’s great at that as well. Apart from all that just a really nice bloke. “Discovering the night sky“.

Wow! What dedication and skill to capture those images. Just Wow! A brilliant presentation and a good knowledge of an island so important to so many people “A priceless jewel in the middle of nowhere”.

Clubs visited so far include …

Ashington Photography Club

Beverley Naturalists Society

Beverley Photographic Club

Beverley & District U3A

Brooklands Photographic Society (Hull)

Burniston and Cloughton WI

Driffield Photography Club

East Ayton WI

East Ayton YCA

East Riding Astronomers (Hull)

Filey Ladies Luncheon Club

Filey Methodist Church Guild

Filey Probus

Filey Rotary

Filey U3A

Focus Photographic Group

Guisborough Retired Mens Forum

Harrogate Astronomical Society

Hull Ladies Circle

Hunmanby Camera Club

Hunmanby Garden Club

Hunmanby Probus

Hunmanby YCA

Hutton Cranswick WI

Kirbymoorside and District Camera Club

Mexborough and Swinton Astronomical Society

Muston Monday Club

Muston Village Hall

Scarborough Amateur Radio Society

Scarborough and Ryedale Astronomical Society

Scarborough Photographic Club (New club)

Scarborough Photographic Society

Scarborough Rotary

Scarborough U3A

Selby Camera Club

Sewerby WI

Snainton WI

Viewfinder Photographic Society (Skidby)

Withernsea Camera Club

York Astronomical Society

York Camera Club

[OVERSEAS]

The Saints Club (Ascension Island)
Two Boats School (Primary)
Two Boats School (secondary)