Is It Cheating?

So you got that new digital SLR camera for the holidays. The one that not only takes pictures, but from the tons and tons of menu items, seems like it's capable of doing your taxes while balancing the national budget. The depth of these menus seems daunting and can quickly become and obstacle to what the camera's main purpose is - making photographs.

So, what's the solution. Simply put, don't go it alone. A professional photographer from Connecticut, Bert Sirkin, has provided his expertise as an educator and photographer. Several years ago, Bert came out with a series of laminated cards called PhotoBert CheatSheets.

These instructional cards are meant to be carried in your camera bag, always ready reference. The selection of CheatSheets have grown throughout the years as newer camera models hit the streets. CheatSheets are currently available for Canon, Fuji and Nikon dSLR cameras, as well as some point and shoot models. In addition, Bert has produced some general photography CheatSheets such as the Digital PhotoCourse on a Card, and the Pocket Edition - Secrets for Great Digital Photography. There are also offerings available covering Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Elements software.

I myself own several of these valuable reference cards. I currently carry the Nikon D300, the Nikon D200, and the Nikon SB-800 Speedlight PhotoBert CheatSheets in my camera bag wherever I go. The price of this tool can't be beat. At around $10 each, it will provide you with immediate value. They definitely have helped me avoid "feature overload" when trying to flex my camera's muscle.