I remember all too well how difficult it was in the beginning, shooting in manual mode during those first few months. I wanted so badly to just master my camera – to have complete control over all of my settings, to create beautiful photographs all on my own.

So I studied and practiced. I learned all that I could about the elements of creating great photos – exposure, composition, perspective, etc. I learned about shutter speed, making the most of available light, noise levels and ISO,

and the effect that your choice of aperture has on how focused your background may or may not be.

It’s magical, how all of these elements come together in perfect harmony to create beautiful photographs once you’ve mastered the fundamentals.

I just wish I’d had an easier time of figuring it all out early on in my photography journey. There was so much to grasp, so much to learn. As you can imagine, I became easily overwhelmed.

I wish I’d had a handy little cheat sheet or reference guide to help me through the process back then. Oh how much easier it may have been…

FREE Manual Photography Cheat Sheet

Looking for a great reference guide to assist you in your photography journey? Download the Manual Photography Cheat Sheet courtesy of me and my Nurture Photography Challenge co-host, Rebecca of Bumbles & Light.

Print it, pin it, post it in a prominent place, keep it in your camera bag, download the mobile version to your cell phone, e-reader or tablet. Whatever you do, don’t give up just yet – keep pushing, keep practicing. Get out there with your camera and shoot!

*Join Rebecca and me each Friday in the Nurture Photography Challenge. Click on over to the photo challenge page for more details. Photos taken with my Canon 7D and Tamron 24-70mm 2.8 lens.