Go gannets, go!

We head to Yorkshire's 'Seabird City' for a day of photographic mentoring from top pro Ellie Rothnie

- Words: Niall Hampton. Behind the scenes photos: Simon Lees

Have you seen any puffins? It's the question of the day at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, Britain's premier location for getting close(ish) to these cutest of seabirds - the one that every wildlife photographer strives to have on their wall at home. But the puffins are proving elusive today - since arriving at 7.30am, all we've seen are gannets, gannets and more gannets. Plus the odd razorbill. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but when we were planning a day's shooting with the leading wildlife photographer Ellie Rothnie, puffins were at the top of our wish list. We're delighted to be spending time with Ellie, in the company of reader Owen Eaton, a keen wildlife photographer who has just completed a degree in wildlife conservation. Owen is the third Digital Camera Apprentice and is a Canon user, like Ellie, so they will be able to confer about the fine details of camera and lens setup and handling without having to translate nomenclature on the fly. Having said that, there will be a small difference: Ellie uses a mirrorless camera, and Owen shoots on a DSLR, although he is mulling over a move to the newer format. So today he will be using his Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, although this best-selling body is no slouch.

Our day starts with an early rendezvous in the car park at Bempton Cliffs. Light rain is falling and is expected to do so for a couple of hours, so we've all donned waterproofs before locking up our cars. The moist conditions won't dampen the mood, though, as it would be difficult to attempt some of today's intended techniques – high key photography, for example – against a postcard-perfect background of clear blue skies and sunshine.