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 set it up in the best possible way for wildlife photography. No more missing the moment, and no more taking 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 to use and how I should set up my camera.
If you're anything like I was at the start, you've spent ages feeling like the camera is an obstacle to getting good images, rather than a help.
But the truth is, once you have your camera set up properly, it is easy to capture sharp, in focus and well exposed, and your mind is freed up to be creative, and focus on what really matter in wildlife photography:
✅ You can tell stories by capturing amazing moments and behaviours...
✅ ...you can evoke emotion by getting creative with light,
✅ ...and you can capture your viewers attention by experimenting with interesting compositions.
I've taught over 1,000 people in person through my photography workshops and 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. It's the tool I wish I had when I started out my journey into wildlife photography.
- Don't know when to use continuous v. single autofocus? There's a cheat sheets for that.
- Can't remember the best settings for birds in flight? There's a cheat sheet for that too.
- Want to know how white balance can instantly transform the colours in your photos? You guessed it...
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.
These cheat sheets are perfect if you are one of these people...
🧑🎓 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.
🧑🎓 Keen hobbyist - 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.
🧑🎓 Intermediate - you know most of the settings but want a reminder with you in your bag so you don't forget it when faced with an amazing photographic opportunity. Print them out, put them in your camera bag and it's like having me there 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
You get a passionate and knowledgable mentor!
Here's a selection of some of the generous 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').
- '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 lessonSo...what makes these cheat sheets so unique?
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 have any questions.
These are the settings that professionals use
You'll learn the exact set up I use (and many other professionals use too). Just because it's what pro's use, doesn't mean it's complicated. These settings work because they are intuitive, allowing you to focus on your subject and capture split second moments.
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!
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.
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 mastered your camera.
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
