Choosing a course book for craft maker photography can feel like comparing two different hobbies. One option is a stripped-down primer that promises camera fundamentals; another is a full textbook with a formal course-list label; a third arrives with a DVD series. Your budget and the way you like to learn matter more than the gloss of the cover.
Quick take
Start with The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video if you want the least expensive route to film and video fundamentals. Pick Video Basics (MindTap Course List) when you need a structured textbook and you are comfortable at the top of the price range. Choose National Geographic Masters of Photography if you want a guide with a video component, and The Complete Video Course if you prefer one volume that walks through the whole video process.
Listed price comparison
Here is how the four options line up on listed price and format.
| Option | Listed price | Price bar | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Complete Video Course by Keith Brookes | USD 19.37 | Paperback | |
| Video Basics (MindTap Course List) by Herbert Zettl | USD 85.49 | Trade Paperback | |
| National Geographic Masters of Photography Course Guide Book & DVD Video Series | USD 18.00 | Book + DVD | |
| The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video | USD 5.83 | Trade Paperback |
Decision matrix
Use this quick matrix to match the book to your main concern.
| If your priority is... | Choose... | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| A low-cost starting point for film and video | The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video | The title promises direct camera basics and the price is at the low end of the range |
| A structured textbook for deeper study | Video Basics (MindTap Course List) | It is a revised edition with a MindTap Course List label |
| Guided photography instruction with visual examples | National Geographic Masters of Photography | The guide book and DVD are packaged together |
| A broad overview of video production in one volume | The Complete Video Course by Keith Brookes | The title signals complete coverage |
Product notes
The Complete Video Course by Keith Brookes
The Complete Video Course is a 3rd edition, and the title promises a complete run through video production rather than a narrow skill. It sits between the low-priced and top-priced options, which makes it a balanced pick when you want more scope than a bare-bones primer without jumping to the most expensive textbook. The practical limitation is the very-good used condition: some pages may be slightly dog-eared and the spine may show creasing from previous use. If a spotless copy matters, choose a like-new or brand-new option instead.
Video Basics (MindTap Course List)
Video Basics is the revised edition in this group, and its like-new condition is the main reason to take it seriously. The text is unmarked and the pages are crisp, so if you plan to keep the book as a reference, this is the cleanest copy available. The title also includes the MindTap Course List label, which points to a structured textbook approach. The limitation is the price: it is the most expensive listing in the comparison, so you will want to be sure the textbook approach matches your learning needs before committing.
National Geographic Masters of Photography Course Guide Book & DVD Video Series
The National Geographic Masters of Photography set is the only brand-new package in the roundup, with the guide book and DVD video series included together. If you learn best by watching, the DVD component gives you a visual layer that the other three books do not offer. It is Brand New, so you do not have to worry about previous owner wear. The limitation is the format: because the course is built around a DVD series, you will need a way to play the disc to get the full benefit. If you want a purely print-based manual, a single-volume book such as The Complete Video Course is a simpler carry.
The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video
The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video is the entry point at the low end of the price range, and its title captures the approach: a direct, stripped-down course in camera and video fundamentals. It covers the essential concepts without the weight of a full textbook, and it comes from authors Tom Schroeppel and Chuck Delaney. The limitation is the acceptable condition: it may have considerable notes or highlighting, so expect a working copy rather than a pristine one. If you want to keep your notes separate, the like-new Video Basics is the cleaner alternative.
Final recommendation by use case
For craft maker photography skill-building, match the book to how you learn:
- If you want the lowest-cost introduction to film and video, start with The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video.
- If you want a clean, revised textbook for deeper study, choose Video Basics (MindTap Course List).
- If you want National Geographic guidance with a video component, pick National Geographic Masters of Photography.
- If you want one portable volume covering the whole video process, go with The Complete Video Course.
