In my photography, the key element is light. A camera is just a tool, light is what can transform an image into something truly breathtaking.

As wildlife photographers, we are often exposed to the elements; working on a windswept mountain or rocky cliff edge. We don’t have studio-controlled setups. So, we need to understand how light falls and the qualities it possesses. I strongly believe that photography is never about the subject, but about light. There are many ways to manipulate light to your advantage.

There are 3 main things to consider when thinking about light: the type of light, its direction, and the tones of the light. As light moves through the daily spectrum, the temperature of the light changes. The most golden tones being displayed earlier or later in the day

Composition is also a crucial element in making your images stand out from the crowd. It affects what you want your image to say. For example, you could shoot the same scene wide, close up, or focus on the eyes, feet, or hands. Each composition tells a different story. With your camera in hand, you are a visual storyteller — you want to create images that connect the audience with the scene and make them feel like they are right there with you.

Before you press the shutter, think about what story you want to tell. A mistake I often find photographers make is not stepping back and looking at the bigger picture. It’s easy to see a beautiful subject, such as a puffin, and rush to shoot the bird as big and bold in the frame as possible. It can be a little more difficult to compose when shooting wide, as the subject no longer becomes the main focus of the frame.

A photography style is not just how you edit an image or your photographic preferences. It is made up of every decision you make as a photographer. In order to discover your style, look for patterns in your work. This can come in many forms. Be it your editing style, how you use light, compositional practices, or your use of shutter speed, to name a few. In general, photographic styles complement your personality.

Learning fieldcraft, mastering light, and compositional techniques are all tools we can use as photographers to help improve our wildlife photography. But what makes certain photographers go beyond this? What makes their work instantly recognisable? How do we know they took the image without even looking at who took it? These photographers will have their own style, defined by a reoccurring theme in their work, making it instantly recognisable to a wider audience.

By signing up for these modules, you will learn from and be inspired by one of the leading experts in the wildlife photography industry. Kevin has over a decade of experience and a wealth of knowledge to share, helping you make your own path in this field.

He is a a multi-award-winning photographer, achieving success in the world's biggest competition, and is also a best-selling author following the success of his critically acclaimed book Puffins: Life on the Atlantic Edge.