20 Printable Cheat Sheets Revealing the Best Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography
These cheat sheets will teach you everything you need to know to take complete control of your camera settings, and get it set up in the best possible way for wildlife photography. No more missing the moment, or ending up with blurry, out of focus or badly exposed photos.
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Print them off, put them in your camera bag, and you will always have all the answers at your fingertips.
Hi, I'm Matthew.
When I first started out my journey to becoming a professional wildlife photographer, I wasted a lot of time figuring out the best settings and how I should set up my camera.
I spent ages feeling like the camera was an obstacle to getting good images, rather than a help. But the truth is, once I was able to capture sharp, in focus, well exposed photos, and the settings started to feel intuitive, my mind was freed up to focus on the things that really matter in wildlife photography - telling stories by capturing amazing moments and behaviours, playing around with light to evoke emotion, and experimenting with interesting compositions.
Having taught over 1,000 people in person through my workshops and photography holidays, and while working as resident wildlife photographer in the Maasai Mara, one thing that comes up all the time is that even when people have mastered specific techniques and settings, they worry about forgetting them when it really matters.
That's why I designed these cheat sheets (and accompanying course). It's the tool I wish I had when I started out my journey into wildlife photography.
- Can't remember the best focus mode to use? There's a cheat sheets for that.
- The best settings for birds in flight? There's a cheat sheet for that too.
These cheat sheets will help you get to the point where you are capturing sharp, well exposed shots, and never missing the moment. Print them out, put them in your camera bag, and you will always have the answers with you. I will be right there with you as your personal wildlife photography mentor 24:7.
Cheat sheets covering every topic so you feel confident with your camera...
Module 1 - ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed & The Exposure Triangle: The Building Blocks of Photography
Module 2 - Shooting Modes & Creating a Correct Exposure Using Exposure Compensation and the Histogram
Module 3 - How to Nail Focus & Capture Tack Sharp Shots of Birds in Flight
Module 4 - Other Must Know Camera Settings
So...what makes these cheat sheets so unique?
Master your settings in just 1 week
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 learnt the settings and techniques needed to set up your camera for wildlife photography.
Whether you want to work through the sheets at your own pace, in a week or even quicker - this tool will help guide you.
Optional upgrade - 4 hours of in depth lessons
If you already know all the settings, or are the sort of person who loves to teach yourself, these cheat sheets are perfect, but you don't have to do it alone.
Speed up your progress by upgrading to full course access. Across 4 hours of lessons, you'll see real world examples through my viewfinder of every concept, getting you inside the mind of a professional wildlife. Sit back and embark on a week long photographic safari!
A personal touch
Using knowledge gained from personal experiences and teaching others, I spent months developing the cheat sheets and accompanying course to ensure they contain everything you need to know. You'll find no AI generated content here!
I can't wait to help take your wildlife photography to the next level. There are FAQ's at the bottom of this page, but I'm available over email if you'd like to know anything further.
Challenges, ideas and inspiration to get you out and about with your camera
Every sheet 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.
These are the settings that professionals use
You'll learn the settings a professional uses including two game changers - back button focus, and manual with auto-ISO - but this doesn't mean it's complicated. These settings work because they are intuitive and allow you to focus on your subject.
Using these settings will completely transform your wildlife photography allowing you to capture split second moments and create tack sharp, well exposed photos.
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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:
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'Birds in Flight' Printable cheat sheet - 'How to Capture Sharp Shots of Birds in Flight'.
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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!
YOU GET A KNOWLEDGABLE & PASSIONATE MENTOR!
Here's a selection of some of the generous things people have to say about their experiences learning wildlife photography with me on ClassBento, Tripadvisor, and from various photography holidays. Full bio lower down the page...
HI I'M MATTHEW, YOUR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY MENTOR
First thing you should know? I'm obsessed with wildlife and photography. It makes sense I guess, that I've ended up as a professional wildlife photographer and filmmaker. I spend as much time as possible in the Maasai Mara in Kenya, but have run trips all over the world: Tanzania, Antarctica, Costa Rica, Madagascar. Each place offers something unique.
I find so much joy and satisfaction in sharing with others the skills I have learned over the last 20 years. Witnessing that 'Aha!' moment when the penny drops, and seeing the excitement people get as they are capturing the best images of their life is incredibly rewarding.
I have taught over 1,000 people in person through my photography holidays and workshops, and now for the first time, I am incredibly excited to be able to share all this information in one place online. Let me be your mentor and guide on your journey into wildlife photography, showing you how to take control of your camera, and helping you take the best images of your life.
@matthewwilliamsellis - 22k followers
