Need advise on Photography Course from Joel Sartore: I came across an advertisement for The Great Courses offering the fundamentals of photography for $79.95, a savings of $190. It...

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

I came across an advertisement for The Great Courses offering the fundamentals of photography for $79.95, a savings of $190. It consists of 24 lectures (30 minutes lecture) on DVD presented by Joel Sartore. If I'm not mistaken he is, or was a photographer for National Geographic. I'm curious if any members here have ever ordered it or are familiar with it. It sounds like it would be helpful for an amateur like me. Any comments or opinions would be welcome. Thanks.
patrick

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Yes, I have that course and it is excellent. I was introduced to the course by a fellow photography club member who would have club members come to his home and view consecutive chapters of the course weekly. I was so impressed with the course that I ordered it. It's very informative and enjoyable. Really great for beginners and intermediate level photography. I think it's a good deal at $79.00 and you get free access to loads of internet tutorials included.

patrick43 wrote:

I came across an advertisement for The Great Courses offering the fundamentals of photography for $79.95, a savings of $190. It consists of 24 lectures (30 minutes lecture) on DVD presented by Joel Sartore. If I'm not mistaken he is, or was a photographer for National Geographic. I'm curious if any members here have ever ordered it or are familiar with it. It sounds like it would be helpful for an amateur like me. Any comments or opinions would be welcome. Thanks.
patrick

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

patrick43 wrote:

I came across an advertisement for The Great Courses offering the fundamentals of photography for $79.95, a savings of $190. It consists of 24 lectures (30 minutes lecture) on DVD presented by Joel Sartore. If I'm not mistaken he is, or was a photographer for National Geographic. I'm curious if any members here have ever ordered it or are familiar with it. It sounds like it would be helpful for an amateur like me. Any comments or opinions would be welcome. Thanks.
patrick

My wife got it for me just recently. Joel Sartore is a National Geographic Fellow and has been on assignment for Nat Geo something like 36 times in the past 20-some years. He's the real deal. It starts out pretty basic and builds from there. It makes you think and provides plenty of his professional tips. Watching the ease with which he produces beautiful shots is fascinating. He has a real down to earth friendly style. I'm only halfway through the 24 lectures but I am very pleased with it. He doesn't go into great technical detail. He just shows you the possibilities and techniques and makes you think about what you are doing. If it is still on sale, get it.
www.thegreatcourses.com
has another one on sale. National Geographic Masters Of Photography. 24 lectures by 10 or 12 Nat Geo photographers, including Sartore. On sale for $39. I just ordered it. For that price, from Nat Geo, you can't go wrong.

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

PVR8 wrote:

Yes, I have that course and it is excellent. I was introduced to the course by a fellow photography club member who would have club members come to his home and view consecutive chapters of the course weekly. I was so impressed with the course that I ordered it. It's very informative and enjoyable. Really great for beginners and intermediate level photography. I think it's a good deal at $79.00 and you get free access to loads of internet tutorials included.

Thanks for your helpful reply. Seems like something I can benefit from.

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

LFingar wrote:

My wife got it for me just recently. Joel Sartore ... (show quote)

Thanks. Is the NG Masters of Photography also a tutorial or just a bio? Appreciate the info.

dhellner Loc: milwaukee wi.

Highly recommended.Going over it a second time

patrick43 wrote:

I came across an advertisement for The Great Courses offering the fundamentals of photography for $79.95, a savings of $190. It consists of 24 lectures (30 minutes lecture) on DVD presented by Joel Sartore. If I'm not mistaken he is, or was a photographer for National Geographic. I'm curious if any members here have ever ordered it or are familiar with it. It sounds like it would be helpful for an amateur like me. Any comments or opinions would be welcome. Thanks.
patrick

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

I have Great Courses "The Art of Travel Photography" course with Sartore--excellent. Very fine instructor.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

patrick43 wrote:

Thanks. Is the NG Masters of Photography also a tutorial or just a bio? Appreciate the info.

24 half hour lectures on photography subjects.

broberts

If you use coupon code NTFN you will get an additional 30% off of the total (over $100). I saved almost $39 off of the set Fundamentals and Masters.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

patrick43 wrote:

I came across an advertisement for The Great Courses offering the fundamentals of photography for $79.95, a savings of $190. It consists of 24 lectures (30 minutes lecture) on DVD presented by Joel Sartore. If I'm not mistaken he is, or was a photographer for National Geographic. I'm curious if any members here have ever ordered it or are familiar with it. It sounds like it would be helpful for an amateur like me. Any comments or opinions would be welcome. Thanks.
patrick

It's excellent, but it's not technical. It's not about FX and DX and the exposure triangle, but it is excellent. I've bought quite a few from TGC, always on sale. Then I discovered that the local library system has almost all of them. If you take notes as you watch, you really won't have to re-watch every couple of months.

He has another good one about taking vacation pictures - one disc.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

LFingar wrote:

My wife got it for me just recently. Joel Sartore ... (show quote)

He uses his photography as examples of how to shoot and how not to shoot. Everything he showed looked like a Nat Geo photo - naturally.

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

Just want to thank everyone for the excellent feedback. I'll definitely be ordering at least one of these, and probably more. Again thanks.
patrick

Jana-TAS Loc: Washington

Those of you that have ordered it does he specifically get into using Photoshop specifically to teach about that or if you are really wanting to learn better what you are doing with your pictures using Photoshop specifically do you think it would be better to try and take a Photoshop class instead of getting this and then after you've taken that class then watching these DVD's to do extra stuff to the pictures once you know Photoshop better than you do now? I have seen the ads on the FB sidebars and have thought about getting it.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

This fundamentals course is not technical or camera oriented. It assumes you know the basics of exposure, depth of field and composition. He uses a lot of examples to explain the fundamentals. He is human and not all of his sample photos are perfect. On at least one occasion he uses a landscape with a sloped horizon to explain a point. Depending on your background and experience you may find this course too basic, too advanced or 'just right'. It may turn out to be the best $40 you ever spent on this hobby.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Jana-TAS wrote:

Those of you that have ordered it does he specific... (show quote)

He doesn't teach Photoshop or any other post processing. He does discuss it in a general way but does not go into details.