"Mastering Light: A Formula For Taking Amazing Photos Anywhere, Anytime"
- Gregory Basco
- Thursday, August 3, 2023 8:00 pm EDT
Wildlife photographers often struggle with light.
You arrive at a location with a strong subject and an interesting scene. But the light is harsh, flat, or constantly changing. Shadows block detail. Highlights clip. The image never quite matches what you saw in the field. You know the moment was there, but the light did not cooperate.
That is exactly why wildlife photographer and educator Gregory Basco led a live training focused on understanding and controlling light in any environment. Gregory is known for his ability to read light quickly and make creative decisions on the fly, even in difficult conditions. His work blends technical control with artistic intent, helping photographers move beyond relying on perfect conditions.
This training focuses on a practical formula for working with light anywhere, anytime, so you can create stronger images regardless of conditions.
What You’ll Learn in the Training
This session breaks down how light behaves, how to recognize its qualities in the field, and how to use it intentionally to shape mood, depth, and impact. Gregory shows how to stop reacting to light and start using it as a creative tool.
Below are the core lessons covered in the training.
1. Understanding the Qualities of Light
Gregory begins by breaking light into clear, usable components.
- How direction shapes form and texture
- Why contrast matters more than brightness
- Recognizing soft versus hard light in real time
- How light quality changes throughout the day
- Using light to guide viewer attention
2. Reading Light Before You Raise the Camera
This section focuses on awareness and anticipation.
- Evaluating light before choosing a subject
- How to position yourself relative to the light source
- Identifying problem light before it ruins an image
- Using shadows as design elements
- Seeing opportunities others overlook
3. Using Light to Create Depth and Mood
Gregory explains how light affects emotional impact.
- How side light creates depth and dimension
- Using backlight to separate subjects
- When flat light works and when it does not
- How light direction influences background tone
- Creating mood without relying on editing
4. Exposure Strategy in Challenging Light
Technical decisions are tied directly to creative intent.
- Balancing highlights and shadows in high-contrast scenes
- When to expose for mood instead of detail
- Using exposure compensation with purpose
- Understanding dynamic range limits
- Protecting critical tones in difficult conditions
5. Real-World Examples and Image Breakdowns
Gregory connects theory to practice.
- Image examples showing different lighting scenarios
- Why certain lighting choices worked
- How small changes produced stronger results
- Decisions made in imperfect conditions
- Applying the formula across environments
Who This Training Is For
This session is ideal for:
- Wildlife photographers frustrated by difficult light
- Photographers who rely too much on ideal conditions
- Anyone who wants more control over mood and depth
- Intermediate photographers looking to improve consistency
- Photographers who want stronger images without waiting for perfect light
About the Presenter
Gregory Basco is a wildlife photographer and educator known for his artistic approach to light and composition. His work emphasizes awareness, intention, and creative decision-making in the field.
Gregory teaches photographers how to slow down, observe, and respond to their environment, using light as a foundation for visual storytelling. His instruction focuses on building repeatable skills that work in real-world conditions, helping photographers create meaningful images anywhere they shoot.
Members get access to live trainings and critiques designed to help serious wildlife photographers improve faster through real instruction and real feedback.
Each session focuses on practical decisions made in the field and why certain images succeed while others fall short.
When you join today, you can attend live or watch the full replay anytime.
Unlock this session and all member-only trainings and critiques by choosing a membership below.
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- 10 free contest entries per month included for life.
- Lifetime access to live monthly photo critiques of contest winners and runners-up.
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- 15% OFF all future full-price purchases
- 10 free contest entries per month included for life.
- Lifetime access to live monthly photo critiques of contest winners and runners-up.
- Lifetime access to ALL back issues of the Journal, video library, and in-depth articles.
- Lifetime access to live monthly trainings + all past trainings.
- Lifetime access to the "Facebook-like" social media community.
- 15% OFF all future full-price purchases
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- 5 free contest entries per month included for one year.
- Access to live monthly photo critiques of contest winners and runners-up.
- Instant access to ALL back issues of the Journal, video library, and in-depth articles.
- Access to live monthly trainings + all past trainings.
- Access to the "Facebook-like" social media community.
- 5 free contest entries per month included for one year.
- Access to live monthly photo critiques of contest winners and runners-up.
- Instant access to ALL back issues of the Journal, video library, and in-depth articles.
- Access to live monthly trainings + all past trainings.
- Access to the "Facebook-like" social media community.
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Membership Details
- 10 free contest entries per month included for life.
- Lifetime access to live monthly photo critiques of contest winners and runners-up.
- Lifetime access to ALL back issues of the Journal, video library, and in-depth articles.
- Lifetime access to live monthly trainings + all past trainings.
- Lifetime access to the "Facebook-like" social media community.
- 15% OFF all future full-price purchases
- 10 free contest entries per month included for life.
- Lifetime access to live monthly photo critiques of contest winners and runners-up.
- Lifetime access to ALL back issues of the Journal, video library, and in-depth articles.
- Lifetime access to live monthly trainings + all past trainings.
- Lifetime access to the "Facebook-like" social media community.
- 15% OFF all future full-price purchases
LABOR DAY SALE! SAVE $50
ANNUAL PLUS+
Membership Details
- 5 free contest entries per month included for one year.
- Access to live monthly photo critiques of contest winners and runners-up.
- Instant access to ALL back issues of the Journal, video library, and in-depth articles.
- Access to live monthly trainings + all past trainings.
- Access to the "Facebook-like" social media community.
- 5 free contest entries per month included for one year.
- Access to live monthly photo critiques of contest winners and runners-up.
- Instant access to ALL back issues of the Journal, video library, and in-depth articles.
- Access to live monthly trainings + all past trainings.
- Access to the "Facebook-like" social media community.
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- Access to live monthly photo critiques of contest winners and runners-up.
- Instant access to ALL back issues of the Journal, video library, and in-depth articles.
- Access to live monthly trainings + all past trainings.
- Access to the "Facebook-like" social media community.
- 1 free contest entry per month.
- Access to live monthly photo critiques of contest winners and runners-up.
- Instant access to ALL back issues of the Journal, video library, and in-depth articles.
- Access to live monthly trainings + all past trainings.
- Access to the "Facebook-like" social media community.