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What is or was your primary line of work?

Teaching the history and craft of the handmade photograph.

What got you inspired to be a photographer/illustrator? Tell us about your career path.

As a light housekeeper my father wanted to document us as children and his life in this isolating service. He processed his film, and I watched as he printed the photographs, embedding a curiosity and passion for photography. My first employment in the photographic industry was with Kodak’s lab in Mornington Dunedin NZ. All the printing was on fibre-based silver gelatin paper. This was followed by time at Campbell’s Studio in Dunedin NZ as a darkroom printer and photographer. To my knowledge this was the first studio in New Zealand that processed and printed colour.

Gum Bichromate Cans © Ellie Young

I then travelled the world and later migrated to Australia. I moved away from working in photography for a while and studied a business degree. Photography kept calling me back and I decided to study photography at Photography Studies Collage in Melbourne to gain a deeper understanding and knowledge so I could work in photography again. This is where the introduction to the craft of photography began to build into a passion. The value of exhibiting work became an important part of my life.

My studies at RMIT, first as an undergraduate then post graduate studies built on the passion. These studies led to me opening a photographic gallery and running workshops in Melbourne. The momentum gathered and the move to Trentham East in the highlands of Victoria, allowed the expansion of the workshops. This has led to a strong international connection with historical and alternative photographers, enticing highly skilled tutors and practitioners to gold street studios to teach and participate in workshops.

Describe your typical workday?

Introducing students to the hand craft of photography, creating negatives, coating cotton papers with light sensitive sensitisers and exposing to light. Ensuring they have and understanding of the chemicals, the processes and the relationship to light.

Chinese Lantern salt print © Ellie Young

What is most rewarding about your work?

Seeing students continue and develop their own way of working, the greatest delight is to see then become known artist, exhibiting and on occasion becoming teachers in the processes.

I have great pleasure exhibiting in Australia, Europe, England and China. I created a manual on salt printing and have works and articles published in books and magazine local and internationally. This helps spread information on the craft of photography. Teaching in Nanjing, Tanjing and Beijing China has also allowed these crafts and skills to be shared with the arts and photographic community within China. The winning of awards for my photography from many places in the world including Lishui in China to Brighton Victoria always surprises me but gives a deep satisfaction that maybe I am doing something right.

Where do you find creative inspiration when work begins to feel routine? What motivates you to continue in your line of work?

I guess I am lucky to be working with students that can inspire me or just looking around my environment, simple small things often caught in light triggers new ideas. This leads to creating bodies of work which leads to creating exhibitions. My aim is to exhibit approximately every two to three years.

Carbon Transfer Topping Tool © Ellie Young

Do you have any tips or special techniques for connecting with your subject?

Looking at light, observe - it is the way light changes something ordinary, into something special.

What technology/software/gear do you use? Are people skills as important as technical skills in your line of work?

I work digitally and analogue in capturing images – but always in analogue in the printing. To me both people and technical skills are important, students need to feel comfortable to gain the full advantage of a class.

Do you have special interests outside of work?

Photography, movies, reading and music.

Do you take photos outside of work?

Yes constantly, every day. Since 1990s I started to exhibit work regularly and had my first solo show in 1998.

Awards and Achievements

Lith Sophie © Ellie Young

• Caelene Nee Gallery Summer Small Works Show First Prize 2024
• International Curator Lishui Photography Festival 2019
• Excellent Photographer Award Lishui Photography Festival, China 2019
• Best Local Artist Trentham Vic 2015 & 2016
• Awarded Fellowship in the Institute of Photographic Technology 2002
• National Gallery of Victoria Trustee Award 2000
• FAB Prize for Research Project (Creative Media) 2000,
• Chris Hales Imaging Award 2000
• AIPP Certificate of Attainment 1996
• AIPP Certificate of Attainment 2000
• AIPP Silver Award 2000
• Plantus Award Lindon Gallery 2000
• PSC Research Award 1998
• Arts Council Acceptance International Flower show 1996

Collections - Public: State Library Of Victoria – Picture Collections

Collections - Private: Australia, China, Canada, England, New Zealand and USA

Carbon Transfer on Opal Glass Feste
© Ellie Young

Solo Exhibitions

• Harlequinade (Nov 2022 - Feb 2023)
• Blooms on Glass and Gold (Feb 2020 - June 2020)
• Metal As – Gold Street Studios & Gallery 2017
• The Colour Carbon – Gold Street Studios & Gallery 2016
• Time Machines – Gold Street Studios & Gallery 2014