MyPhotoSchool's Introduction to Wildlife Photography Course

Since I started blogging my love of photography has increased every year. I try and learn more and more about how to take a decent shot and learn more about my camera. At this moment it is a Canon bridge camera with plans to purchase a DSLR later this year.

One of my favourite photography subjects are animals, large ones, small ones, tiny ones. Pets, zoo animals, creatures under rocks in the garden or buzzing from flower to flower at the allotment. Trying to get as close as possible for a macro picture or creeping up on a butterfly before it flies away - all good fun but I wanted to know more.

The MyPhotoSchool Introduction to Wildlife Photography Course can help you with the insights required to capture a great nature shot. Over 4 weeks, industry professional Heather Angel covers all aspects to help you improve and learn the techniques that will provide the most assistance in becoming an improved wildlife photographer.


As a guide for you, this is roughly what each week  covers:

Week 1: Looks at the equipment you will need and discussed light levels and metering in different situations.
Week 2: Helps with taking animal portraits and using fill flash which was a new concept to me. This week's lessons focuses a lot on taking pictures in your own back garden and offers so many handy tips on how to create a environment that will aid your wildlife capture.
Week 3: You will learn lots about action shots, a very handy skill for wildlife who are of course often on the move. You will attain knowledge of shutter speeds.
Week 4: The final week compares captive versus wild, so how can you improve aquarium photos or looking for humorous animal photo opportunities and build up photo stories. I decided that I prefer wild shots as they are more exciting and I love the chance element.

Throughout the course, Heather provides her personal pointers on how to not disturb or frighten the animals that you are trying to photograph because their welfare is paramount. Consider the clothing that you are wearing, make sure it's dull coloured and not likely to rustle.

Each week there is a video to watch and a guide with the transcription and images that you can print off and save. An assignment is set which I enjoyed taking part in so I could see how I was doing, Heather provides such excellent feedback and encouraging advice as to what worked well and what you can improve on.

There is a class chat room where notes can be posted to promote discussion with other class mates but I think we were all being terribly British and not engaging much in here. Perhaps this area could do with some modification but the functionality is good and you can quickly and easily see if a note has been posted. The course lead, in this case Heather of course, regularly responded to queries and posted to say our assignment feedback was ready.

I learnt so much in this short space of time and would recommend to anyone wanting to expand their photography skills. Once I have my DSLR I think I will revisit my course notes as some of the functionality suggested would be better with that type of camera.

If you can't already tell, I love taking pictures of birds so the course has been a help and I intend on using my new skills at every opportunity. The cost of the course is £145 and no extra materials are required aside from your time and willingness to go looking for wildlife on a weekly basis. I do think a DSLR would be better but really at least a bridge camera will be fine, in my opinion. I found the course easy to follow and if you are interested, the next one starts on the 6th June. There is a follow up course too, also by Heather Angel that covers macro photography. With many local colleges cutting back on courses offered, it is great to be able to learn topics such as photography online instead.

* I was able to take part in the course for the purposes of the review, all comments are my own honest opinion*