Choosing a craft maker photography course often comes down to one question: do you learn better from a dense print manual, a structured lecture series, or a hands-on beginner guide? The four options here span that range, from a compact paperback that explains camera fundamentals to a multi-disc DVD course with guidebook.
Quick take
- For a first inexpensive primer on film and video basics: The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video.
- For a complete course package that pairs reading with video: National Geographics Masters Of Photography Course Guide Book & DVD Video Series.
- For focused video lectures you can watch in half-hour sessions: GREAT COURSES - MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Video DVD.
- For a teen-friendly entry into filmmaking: Digital Filmmaking: For Teens.
Comparison at a glance
| Product | Listed price | Price bar | Format | Learning snapshot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Filmmaking: For Teens | USD 8.98 | Trade paperback | Teen-focused filmmaking primer | |
| National Geographics Masters Of Photography Course Guide Book & DVD Video Series | USD 18.00 | Book + DVD | Complete course package | |
| GREAT COURSES - MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Video DVD | USD 11.95 | DVD with guidebook | 24 half-hour lectures | |
| The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video | USD 5.83 | Paperback, 3rd edition | Concise technical groundwork |
Decision matrix
- If you want a full guided course with both reading and video, choose the National Geographics Masters Of Photography Course Guide Book & DVD Video Series.
- If you prefer a lecture-driven class on disc, choose GREAT COURSES - MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Video DVD.
- If you're a teen or teaching one, choose Digital Filmmaking: For Teens.
- If you need a quick, no-frills reference on camera basics, choose The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video.
Product notes
Digital Filmmaking: For Teens
Pete Shaner and Gerald Everett Jones aim this trade paperback directly at younger readers, but it works just as well for anyone who wants filmmaking basics without heavy jargon. The Very Good condition copy has a tight binding, clean covers, and no creasing in the spine, while the USD 8.98 price sits in the middle of this group. It's the only option here built around the teen learning context, so the tone feels more relatable than a formal lecture series. The main limitation is scope: it's a single paperback, not a multi-disc course, and it focuses on filmmaking rather than the full range of still photography.
National Geographics Masters Of Photography Course Guide Book & DVD Video Series
At USD 18.00, this is the highest-priced option in the set, but it's also the only one listed as Brand New. It combines a course guidebook with a DVD video series, giving you two learning formats in one package. The authors are National Geographic Photographers and the publisher is National Geographic, so the material carries a documentary-photography perspective. This works well if you want a structured, classroom-like course with both reading and visual lessons. The limitation is the same as it is for any packaged course: it's a larger commitment in price and time, and if you already own a separate photography lecture series, this may overlap with content you've seen.
GREAT COURSES - MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Video DVD
This DVD set is the lecture-heavy choice: 4 discs with 24 lectures at 30 minutes each, plus a course guidebook. The Like New condition means the discs and guidebook should be in solid shape. At USD 11.95, it's priced below the National Geographics package but above the two paperbacks. If you want a video course you can watch in short lessons, this gives you a clear session-by-session structure. The main limitation is that it lives almost entirely on disc; unlike the teen filmmaking guide or the Bare Bones primer, there's no separate book to read away from the screen, so you'll still need to practice with a camera to apply what you watch.
The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video
The most affordable option on this list at USD 5.83, this third-edition paperback is also the most stripped-down. Authors Tom Schroeppel and Chuck Delaney concentrate on the technical basics of film and video production: lenses, exposure, composition, and continuity. It's a useful quick reference to keep beside your camera, especially if you already have a sense of where you want to go and just need the fundamentals spelled out. The trade-off is condition: this copy is Acceptable, so pages may contain considerable notes or highlighting. If you don't mind a working copy with someone else's margin notes, it's an inexpensive place to start.
Final recommendation by use case
If you want a complete two-format course, the National Geographics Masters Of Photography Course Guide Book & DVD Video Series gives you both a book and video lessons, and it arrives Brand New. If you'd rather learn by watching short lectures, GREAT COURSES - MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Video DVD packs a full lecture series onto four discs. If you're buying for a teen or a beginner who needs a friendly first read, Digital Filmmaking: For Teens is the approachable pick. And if your main goal is a low-cost refresher on camera mechanics, The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video delivers the essentials without extras.
