Review: Corel’s Master your DSLR course (Part One)

Part One–The Ebooks (check back for Part Two–The DVDs)

I’m not an artist—though I like to fancy myself one. I can’t draw, I can’t paint, I can’t sculpt grand masterpieces. But I have a need for an artistic outlet. I’ve always had an interest in photography. In high school—oh so many years ago—I took a photography course. You know, the kind where you learned not only how to take pictures, but how to develop your own film. Yes, film. Remember that stuff?

Years later when I decided to rekindle my love affair with photography, you can imagine how lost I was in the world of DSLR cameras. What in the world does DSLR even mean? When I came across Corel’s Master your DSLR course, I figured “what the heck?”

First off, what was so appealing about this course? That’s easy. Convenience and affordability. I work full-time and I live on a farm. You can imagine that free time is not easily come by, especially this time of year with planting in full swing! Committing to set days or times for a photography course was out of the question. So was driving to a big city that might offer group or private courses. In case my interest fizzled (as it so often does with things like this) I didn’t want to have wasted hundreds and hundreds of dollars on fancy classes.

My goals were simple: learn the basics of digital photography, how to use my camera and how to compose good photos. I didn’t need to be transformed into Ansel Adams. I wasn’t out to start my own photography business. I just wanted to be a little better at my hobby.

The Corel package came with 4 ebooks and 2 DVDs. I’m usually a little leery of digital downloads because you just never know what you’re going to get, or what the quality will be. Not only did the 4 ebooks download quickly and easily, but when I opened the first file I was immediately impressed. The layout, writing, and visual composition of the ebook were professional-grade. They were easy to read and had fantastic, helpful images to illustrate the points being made in the books.

I’m still waiting for the arrival of the DVDs in the mail but so far just reading the ebooks has proven helpful. I feel a little more confident and a little less like tourist wandering lost in a foreign land.

Bottom line—I am really satisfied with at least the ebook portion of this course. Even without the DVDs I’d say it’s worth the price.  It’s something I’ll have access to forever and will go back to time and time again.

Check back soon for Part 2 of the review where I’ll talk about the DVDs!