Cardiff-based photographer Nigel Hodson speaks with Buzz about being announced one of the world’s best photographers in the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards.

How does it feel to be listed as one of the best photographers in the Open Wildlife category?

This is the first real photography competition that I have entered and I came across it by accident when it popped up on my Facebook page one day. Being part of the Sony World Photography Awards is a huge achievement for me. There are so many wonderful photographers out there and I am blown away to think that my image of a little puffin from Wales might reach a worldwide audience. Hopefully it will bring them as much joy in viewing it, as it has brought me in creating it.

What is the story behind your photograph Breakfast?

The photo was taken this summer during a trip to Skomer, a small island off the coast of Pembrokeshire in West Wales. The island is a Wildlife Trust nature reserve and is home to some incredible wildlife, including 300,000 breeding pairs of Manx shearwaters and over 20,000 puffins. It’s an amazing place! The image is of a puffin – it landed directly in front of me, with a mouth full of sand eels, before disappearing down a hole to feed its young. I chose this image as it shows a new perspective, an angry look, which is quite different to what we’ve come to expect from our usual cute little puffins.

How did you get into photography?

For as long as I can remember I’ve always had a camera in my hand and a love for wildlife and the outdoors. While the rest of world is sleeping I’m out exploring the world from a different perspective. I had my first SLR when I was 10 and would take photos of anything but my passion for wildlife photography heightened about five years ago when I took a photograph of a kingfisher at a local nature reserve in Wales. This was the start of my addiction to pursuing the perfect shot, which I think comes from being an engineer. I know I’ve captured the right moment when I look at the back of the camera and it makes me smile. I am so fortunate that my hobby has taken me too many wonderful places around my home country and around the world. If you asked me to explain simply why I love wildlife photography, it’s the fact that every shot is different and you don’t know what you are going to capture next – every opportunity to create new images is a fresh adventure. My dream would be to turn my hobby into a career.

What are the most common mistakes amateur photographers make?

I think the biggest mistake photographers make is comparing their work to someone else’s. Everyone has different tastes when it comes to a photo so as long as you like the photo and you have enjoyed the experience of taking it then that’s what counts.

What’s the easiest bit of advice you have to improve amateur photographs?

Patience…..especially when it comes to wildlife photography. Nature never does anything on cue. There have been many times when I have been up at the crack of dawn, spent all day waiting and the best shot has come at the end of the day.

If you could only suggest one place to visit in Wales to someone who had never visited, where would you pick and why?

There are many amazing places in Wales from the Millennium Stadium on match day to the stunning scenery around the Brecon Beacons. But Skomer Island for me is one of the best. It has everything from beautiful scenic coastlines to a variety of wildlife which you can get up close and personal in its own surroundings. I would recommend this place to anyone not just photographers as it’s a great day out.

Info: www.worldphoto.org