Master Your Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography

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Online course & mentorship programme

 

Are you tired of missing the shot, taking blurry and out of focus photos, and wasting time figuring out the best settings for wildlife photography? If so, you've found your solution.

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By following my 5 step mentorship framework and 1 week actionable step-by-step checklist, you will learn the exact camera set up used by myself (and most other professional wildlife photographers) to make capturing sharp, in focus, well-exposed and creative images as simple as possible.

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Hi, I'm Matthew.

If you're anything like I was at the start of my journey to becoming a professional wildlife photographer, you probably feel like you're wasting a lot of time figuring out the best settings to use, and how to set up your camera to avoid blurry, out of focus and badly exposed photos.

But the truth is, once you have your camera set up properly, it is easy to capture sharp, in focus and well exposed photos. And once you reach this stage, and have your camera set up in a way that makes the settings intuitive, your mind will be free to focus on what really matter in wildlife photography:

✅ ...capturing amazing moments and behaviours to tell stories,

✅ ...getting creative with light to evoke emotion,

✅ ...and experimenting with interesting compositions that grab your viewers attention.

Follow my 5 step mentorship framework (outlined further down the page), and the 1 week actionable step-by-step checklist, and I guarantee in 1 weeks time you will have the camera set up in a way that allows you to capture tack sharp, well exposed shots, and never miss the moment.

Having taught over 1,000 people in person, I am so excited to offer all this information in one place online, and I can't wait to help you on your journey to mastering wildlife photography.

Highlights

✅ Learn from Matthew, a professional wildlife photographer and experienced tutor who has taught over 1,000 people in person on his workshops and holidays, and while working as resident wildlife photographer in the Maasai Mara (I'll say hi properly further down this page).

✅ 4 hours of 'in the field' video lessons covering everything you need to know (full course content further down this page). From basic lessons on ISO, aperture and shutter speed, to more advanced lessons on capturing sharp shots of birds in flight, choosing the right focus area, mastering the histogram to avoid over-exposing photos, and how to instantly elevate the colours in your photos using white balance. And then there's the two absolute game changers: manual with auto-ISO and back-button focus.

✅ Unique immersive experience with real world examples in front of lions, cheetah and elephants, all recorded through my viewfinder so it's like you're right there looking through my camera.  You won't find this in any other course.

✅ 20 printable cheat sheets to put in your camera bag so you always have the answers at your fingertips.

✅ Master your camera in 1 week with the actionable step-by-step checklist.

✅ Challenges with every lesson.

"5 STEP MENTORSHIP FRAMEWORK"

Concept | Case Study | Camera | Community | Critique

I'm here to support you every step of the way...

Step 1 - Concepts

19 in-the-field lessons covering everything you need to know to take control of your camera (full course content further down this page).

✅ 4 hours of in-the-field lessons

✅ 19 lessons

✅ Accessible by an app, phone or computer

From basic lessons on ISO, aperture and shutter speed, to more advanced lessons on capturing sharp shots of birds in flight, choosing the right focus area, when to use single and continuous autofocus, mastering the histogram to avoid over-exposing photos, and how to instantly elevate the colours in your photos using white balance. There's also the two game changers: manual with auto-ISO and back-button focus, which will transform the way you shoot. 

This is the exact set up I use, and the set up I wish I had known when I started my journey into wildlife photography.

Step 2 - Case Studies

Embark on a virtual photographic safari through the Maasai Mara.

One of the things that makes this course unique is that I've recorded everything that happens through my viewfinder so it's like you are right there looking through my camera as I show you examples of the techniques and concepts in action, getting you inside the mind of a professional wildlife photographer.

🦅 Learn how to capture birds in flight with cattle egret flying around a herd of buffalo.

🦛 Master the histogram and exposing to the right at a hippo pool on the Mara River.

🦁 Get to grips with exposure compensation with a lioness at sunrise.

🐆 Understand when to use the different focus areas with a cheetah on a termite mound.

🐈 Watch single point focus in action with a serval kitten.

Step 3 - Camera Session

Over to you! It's time for you to put your new skills into practice using the suggested challenges.

Print out the 20 printable cheat sheets from the workbook, put them in your bag, and it will be like I'm right there with you as your mentor 24:7. This also means you don't need to take any notes during the course - I've done all of that for you.

✅ "1 week step-by-step checklist". Follow this, and 1 week from now you will understand the best camera set up for wildlife photography (you can do it quicker too!).

✅ Challenges and suggestions for how to practise so the settings become intuitive.

Step 4 - Community & Conversation

Through the "Mastering Wildlife Photography Community", join me for a monthly online meetup giving you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have.

Share questions or topics in advance that you would like to discuss, or just pop in and we'll have an informal chat. This is your chance to learn alongside other like-minded people.

✅ Accessible by an app, phone or computer

Step 5 - Critique

If you would like feedback on any of your images, post them into the dedicated space in the community and I will share my thoughts. This is a great way to learn as you'll get personalised points to work on.

✅ Accessible by an app, phone or computer

Who is this for?

🧑‍🎓 Complete Beginner - you want to learn all the best settings for wildlife photography from scratch. The cheat sheets and 1 week checklist will walk you through it step-by-step, so next time you go out on a shoot you're able to capture sharp, in focus and well exposed photos.

🧑‍🎓 Intermediate - you're pretty confident with your camera, but there are a few more advanced techniques you would like to learn. Get to grips with more advanced settings such as focus modes, focus areas, using white balance creatively, and two complete game changers: back-button focus, and manual with auto-iso. They will transform the way you shoot.

Lessons and cheat sheets covering every topic so you feel confident with your camera...

You get a passionate and knowledgable mentor.

Here's some of the things people have to say about their experiences learning wildlife photography with me.

Try before you buy! Grab yourself a birds in flight cheat sheet and 17 minute 'in the field' video lesson to learn how to capture tack sharp, in focus shots of birds in flight...

I'm so confident you will love it, I'm currently offering a whole lesson and cheat sheet for just £3. This offer includes access to:
  • 17 minute 'in the field' video lesson revealing the best settings to use, and my top tips for photographing birds in flight (module 3, lesson 3 from the course 'Master Your Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography').
  • 'How to Capture Sharp Shots of Birds in Flight' printable cheat sheet - Print it off, put it in your camera bag, and you will always have all the answers at your fingertips. 

 LIMITED TIME OFFER

£3 £20

Access your cheat sheet and lesson

So...why is this course the solution?

Over 4 hours of in-the-field lessons

Through 4 modules, and 19 lessons you will learn everything you need to know to set your camera up in a way that makes the settings side of wildlife photography intuitive!

For every single concept - from the basics of ISO, aperture & shutter speed to more advanced settings such as focus modes, how to capture birds in flight, how to use white balance creatively, back button focus and manual with auto-ISO - you will see real world examples with lions, cheetah, elephants and so much more!

This is a 1 week photographic safari from the comfort of your own home!

20 printable cheat sheets

This is like having me there as your personal wildlife photography mentor right by your side 24:7 everywhere and anywhere you go!

I have designed these to be printed at A5 so they easily fit in your camera bag. Print them out, take them with you, and you will always have all the answers right at your fingertips. Whether you need a reminder of aperture, single point autofocus, white balance or the histogram - there's cheat sheets for every concept.

It also means you don't need to take any notes during the course - I've done all of that for you.

1 week actionable checklist

At the start of the workbook you'll find a step-by-step checklist breaking down which topics to cover each day. This guarantees  that by the end of a week you'll have mastered your camera.

Challenges, ideas and inspiration to get you out and about with your camera

Every lesson comes with challenges and ideas for how to practice, and truly master your new found skills.

Wildlife photography is a practical skill. By getting out and about with your camera, the settings and techniques will start to feel like second nature, freeing your mind up to be more creative.

What makes the course unique?

Immersive experience & real life examples

One thing I hear a lot when talking to people about online courses is that they aren't very immersive.

I listened to this feedback, and what makes this course truly unique is that you see exactly what I see through the viewfinder of my camera. Every concept that is taught has a real life example, where you see it in action. 

You will not only learn the theory of how settings affect a photograph, but you will see it in action through my viewfinder, giving you a truly unique, behind the scenes and immersive view. You will watch as settings change, compositions come together, and get inside the mind of a professional wildlife photographer.

Expert guidance

Hi, I'm Matthew Williams-Ellis, an award-winning, professional wildlife photographer/filmmaker and experienced wildlife photography mentor.

I have taught over 1,000 people in person, helping passionate wildlife photographers like you take the best images of their lives on my workshops, photography holidays, and while working as resident photographer at Alex Walker's Serian Camps in the Maasai Mara.

I have spent months writing the lessons, filming the course, and creating the cheat sheets and workbook - all 100% from scratch, and 100% built by myself - don't get me started on my dislike of AI in the course creation world!

This is all the information I wish I had when I started out learning wildlife photography, and I can't wait to help take your wildlife photography to the next level. Want to know more? There's a longer bio section lower down the page. It's great to have you here...

Try before you buy! Grab yourself a free birds in flight cheat sheet and video lesson.

I'd love to stay in touch and help you on your wildlife photography journey. Leave your details below, and I will email you FREE access to:

  • 'Birds in Flight' Printable cheat sheet - 'How to Capture Sharp Shots of Birds in Flight'.

  • 17 minute 'in the field' video lesson revealing the best settings and my top tips for photographing birds in flight (module 3, lesson 3 from the course 'Master Your Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography').

You'll also be the first to hear about the upcoming launch of two new courses - 'The Art of Wildlife Photography' and 'Wildlife Photography Lightroom Editing Masterclass'.

It's great to have you here!

HI I'M MATTHEW, YOUR MENTOR

I'm a professional wildlife photographer/filmmaker, obsessed by going the extra mile to create attention-grabbing, insightful, intimate and honest photographs. I've had solo exhibitions in London, worked with conservation charities such as Mara Predator Conservation Programme, and been recognised in competitions such as Greatest Wildlife Photographer Kenya, British Photography Awards and Travel Photographer of the Year.

I have taught over 1,000 people in person, helping passionate wildlife photographers like you take the best images of their lives, while working as resident photographer at Alex Walker's Serian Camps in the Maasai Mara and while leading workshops and photography holidays to destinations including Tanzania, Antarctica, Costa Rica and Madagascar.

I am so excited to now be able to share everything I have learned over the last 20 years in one place online and would be honoured to be your mentor and guide on your journey to mastering wildlife photography.

@matthewwilliamsellis - 22k followers

Here's what you get when you join today!

£99.50 £439

#1 - Course: Master Your Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography

Lifetime Access

✅ 4 hours of content | 19 in-the-field lessons

✅ 20 printable cheat sheets in a 36 page workbook

✅ 1 week step-by-step checklist

✅ Challenge ideas for ways to practise

£99.50 £199

#2 - Mentorship & Community: Master Your Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography

1 Year Access

✅ Monthly online meetups

✅ Image critiques

✅ Course support

£FREE £240

£99.50 £439

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