Which Photography Course Set Fits Your Craft? Compare 4 Courses: Great Courses, Nat Geo & NYI

Quick Take

Choosing a photography course can be confusing because there are so many formats: DVDs, multi-disc libraries, and paperback lessons. The four products here range in listed price from USD 9.45 to USD 109.99, but price isn't the only thing separating them. One is a single-topic travel DVD, another is a four-course library, a third is a National Geographic masters course, and the last is a four-book set from NYI. The real question is how you like to learn and how much material you need.

The main decision point is format. A DVD gives you video instruction you can play on a TV or computer, but it requires a disc player. A book set works without any device, but it can't demonstrate camera movements in motion. A multi-disc library packs more lessons into one purchase but asks for a larger upfront commitment. Keep those trade-offs in mind as you compare.

Price Comparison

Decision Matrix

Product Notes

Great Courses The Art of Travel Photography: 6 Expert Lessons DVD Sartore NEW

This DVD puts Joel Sartore in charge of six travel-photography lessons, and it arrives Brand New in a tall DVD case. The commentary feature gives you extra context from the photographer. That focus makes it a neat match for anyone who travels and wants a compact, single-course lesson. On the other side, the course is limited to travel photography, so it won't cover studio lighting or product work. If you're after a low-price targeted primer, this is the pick; if you expect a full curriculum, you'll outgrow it.

Great Courses Photography Library Lot: 4 Courses / 13 DVDs / 3 NEW Sealed

The Photography Library Lot bundles four courses across 13 DVDs, with three of those courses factory sealed. The collection is credited to National Geographic Photographers and includes the Fundamentals of Photography publication name, so you do get a coherent curriculum rather than random discs. The catch is the lot price and the fact that you're buying as one set: you can't split out individual courses. If you're ready for a deep, multi-disc push through photography fundamentals, this lot gives you the broadest scope in one purchase.

Masters of Photography DVD 2014 National Geographic 12 Masters Course

Masters of Photography earns its name by drawing on 12 National Geographic photographers, spread across 24 lessons on a Region 1 DVD. The edition is a National Geographic Course, and the genre is educational. The trade-off is condition: this is a Very Good used copy, not brand new. So you get a high-variety sampler for a much lower price than the big library, but you should be comfortable with a pre-owned disc. If you want to hear varied expert perspectives without naming one teacher, this DVD is a useful middle ground.

The Complete Course in Professional Photography by NYI ~ Books 3-6 in Set

NYI's Complete Course in Professional Photography is the only print option here: a set of four illustrated paperback books, specifically volumes 3 through 6. The author is NYI Of Photography, and the era is 2010s. The advantage is that you don't need a DVD player or a screen, and the books are in Very Good condition with some light wear. The clear limitation is that books 1 and 2 aren't part of this listing, so it's not a full course by itself. Treat it as a supplement to an existing photo education rather than a start-to-finish program.

Final Recommendation

Choose the Great Courses Photography Library Lot for a semester-style deep dive or for a group of people sharing a learning library. Choose the Art of Travel Photography when you're planning a specific trip and want a quick refresher. Choose the Masters of Photography DVD when you prefer short, instructor-varied lessons and can accept a very good used disc. Choose the NYI books when you want to study away from a screen and already own the opening volumes.