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Take an Online Albert Watson Photography Course

One of the world’s most influential fine art, commercial and fashion photographers.

Suitable for all levels · Learn at your own pace · Lifetime access · Watch on any device · Money back guarantee

The Masterclass

The complete Albert Watson photography course of 54 lessons over 6.5 hours with Albert

USD $199This price is indicated in USD and will be converted to your local currency at checkout.

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The Masterclass Lesson Plan

The Discovery Class

10 Key lessons selected from the Masterclass over 1.5 hours with Albert

USD $65This price is indicated in USD and will be converted to your local currency at checkout.

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The Discovery Class Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan

The Masterclass

The Discovery Class

Lesson Plan: 54 lessons over 6.5 hours

1 Meet your Master

Welcome to the incredible online Albert Watson photography course. The highly successful and prolific Scottish photographer blends art, fashion and commercial photography to create some of the most iconic images ever seen.

2 Learn from the journey

Albert shares his own unique journey from his early days in Scotland to establishing his studio in New York. He highlights the importance of enjoying your craft, and underlines the rewards of hard work and perseverance.

3 Using inspirations

Let your past and present experiences as well as the world around you inspire your creativity. Creativity should drive 80% of your work and technique the remaining 20%.

4 Photography is stopping time

In this lesson of the Albert Watson photography course, he reminds us of his first steps in photography and the importance of conceptualisation, imagery and objectives.

5 Albert's library of ideas

The Master gives his tips for finding inspiration and motivation. Find out how he used ‘Degas Landscapes’ to inspire his own work.

6 Tips on preparing for a portrait shoot

Preparation, research, people skills and directing. In this lesson of the Albert Watson photography course, find out the lengths the artist goes in his attention to detail and in his own preparation to photograph Al Pacino and others.

7 Setting up the studio

Learn to set up a studio session and control the light by creating a black box. Experiment with a bounce light until you learn the way different distances translate onto your camera.

8 Understanding studio collaboration

The Master’s thoughts and techniques on making a success of the three main categories of studio shoots: test, editorial and advertising.

9 The importance of casting and hair & make-up

The importance of planning for casting, make-up, hair style and also establishing good communication with all the teams involved.

10 Foreground studio set up

Practical tips to set up the foreground in a studio shoot: useful tools, light, looking at the set from the model’s point of view and working with an assistant.

11 Studio session with a model - set up 1

With the pre-lighting done, watch as this legendary photographer turns his attention to the model and the way he makes corrections and improvements to the first shots.

12 Studio session with a model - set up 2

Follow as he continues to play with the elements of the shoot and uses the “splicing” technique to create a more powerful image.

13 Studio session with a model - set up 3

Find out ways to manipulate the light and direct the model to create more images. The splicing technique is demonstrated again.

14 Picking the best shot

Albert shows you his techniques for selecting the best shot from a shoot, using a couple of photographs as markers, taking time and looking for memorability.

15 Working with photoshop

In this lesson you will learn ways the Master uses post-production to further refine his images.

16 Creating a portrait of Alfred Hitchcock

Discover the idea and thought process behind the iconic image of Alfred Hitchcock and what it was like to photograph one of the world’s greatest filmmakers.

17 The gigantic question... Colour or black and white?

Which should you use? Albert explains his own ideas to you on how and why you might use one or the other.

18 One day with Kate Moss

In this lesson of the Albert Watson photography course, he explains his ideas and how he created his iconic images during a day photographing Kate Moss.

19 Learn to have your ideas ready

The Master encourages you to have faith in your own creative instincts and to always think creatively in order to persuade a client toward agreeing to your photographic ideas.

20 Using Polariods

Discover ways to go back and create projects and new images from your older work. In this lesson you’ll see the technique he used to create his iconic Running Man image.

21 Creating beautiful photographs of hands

Learn to appreciate the expressive nature of photographing hands and hear as the artist explains some of his most defining hand shots.

22 Controlling natural light

Discover Albert's tips on how to make the most of natural light and how Albert controls it in his images.

23 Shooting a monkey with a gun

Here the Master teaches you to always be on the look-out for new projects, and to recognise the power of conceptual thinking. Learn how monkey and a gun came to be created.

24 Choosing your format

In this lesson you will learn about formats. Albert describes different examples from various formats he has used as guidance, discover tips on how to use each type of format and his camera of choice.

25 Composition and lens

Get tips and suggestions on which lens to use and when. Albert gives you his thoughts on using the compositional elements available to you in order to produce a better photograph.

26 Shooting landscapes. The Isle of Skye

The Master teaches us that for him it is essential to raise landscape photography above the “picture postcard” shot and give the images more meaning. He explains the approach to his Scottish landscape series of images, one of his most unique, personal projects.

27 Planning and ideas for a landscape shoot

Find out details of the way he carefully prepared for his Isle of Skye project, taking care to be as organised as possible, whilst also remaining open to taking advantage of the unexpected.

28 Creating still life images

From shooting bed pans in L.A., to photographing Tutankhamen’s possessions, Elvis Presley’s iconic gold ensemble, and Neil Armstrong’s space suit, you’ll learn to persevere in the face of difficulty and to always inject your still lifes with meaning.

29 Photographing the Lost Diary

See how one simple idea can blossom into the creation of true art. An entire advertising campaign was based on his magical concept of an intergalactic anthropologist’s photographic diary, depicting tribes on earth 30,000 years ago. Discover how he brought this unique vision to life.

30 Shooting album covers

In this lesson we go behind the scenes of a shoot with musician Sade. The artist reveals how he produced her beautiful Love Deluxe album cover, and the importance of making your subject feel comfortable on set.

31 The Strip Search Project

You’ll hear the Master speak about the preparation and creation of this immense project. He suggests ways for you to create projects and images that document your own corner of the world.

32 Shooting Las Vegas landscapes

In this fascinating lesson of the Albert Watson photography course, you’ll learn details of the way the photographer prepared for the Las Vegas project and how he approached and shot his landscapes there. He passes on the ways the difficulties he faced helped him, and will also help you to develop creatively.

33 Photographing Breaunna

Here you’ll learn to always be alert to chance encounters and how the man himself met and was inspired by Breaunna. He explains how some of his most recognisable Strip Search photographs of her were created.

34 Balancing daylight, God bless America

Find out why Albert stopped to shoot a bill board. His serendipitous discovery reaffirms his main piece of advice: always remain “switched on”.

35 Creating the Maroc Project

Learn how the Master put together his exquisite Maroc book. You will be inspired to create your own projects and to look for potential in every aspect of a project, giving added meaning to your photographs.

36 Creating the Maroc shoot

He describes his own, personal methods and ethos in creating the Maroc project. Find out what equipment he used, the way he documented his journey, and what he shot to create this iconic book.

37 Photographing sand dunes

How did this iconic of photography capture the breathtaking, rippling sand dunes of Laayoune, Morocco? Find out as he encourages you to be innovative by always striving to add something new and different to scenes photographed by others before you.

38 Photographing Moroccan children

Preparation is not the death of spontaneity. Albert explains some his most breathtaking, impromptu shots of children in Morocco, Albert shows you how he suggests you intertwine careful planning and impulsivity to ensure you never miss your shot.

39 Advice on making portraits

In this lesson on the Albert Watson photography course you’ll learn that the way you communicate with those you’re photographing is always visible in a shot. In this lesson he suggests tips to capture your perception of a subject into a single picture.

40 How to be alert to finding photographs

Learn to take advantage of chance situations and moments. Listen as the artist reveals that some of his most famous photographs were created by remaining flexible and alert to what he was seeing around him.

41 Making a portrait of Mike Tyson

He delves into the inspiration behind his famous Mike Tyson photograph, reaffirming that preparation before a shoot is often key to transforming your vision into a reality.

42 Creating intense colour in a photograph

In this vital lesson of the Albert Watson photography course, he talks about creating intense colour in an image. Listen as he takes you through his preparation process, and the techniques he used to construct one of his most well known images, Red Devil.

43 Portraits of rap stars and a Golden Boy

Discover the relationship between a subject and the camera itself. Legendary rap stars and the Golden Boy photograph feature in this lesson as he discusses facial geography.

44 Photographing Jack Nicholson

A Jack Nicholson photoshoot for Rolling Stone. He explains how the legendary snowy shot came to be, and gives you an insight into the way he photographed the iconic actor and filmmaker.

45 Creating a portrait of David Cronenberg

Be inspired to get creative. Ingenuity and inventiveness take centerstage in this lesson as Albert describes how he produced his unique photograph of David Cronenberg for Rolling Stone — the old-fashioned way.

46 How to light only using two $10 bulbs

This is an incredible lesson that demonstrates that expensive lighting equipment is by no means a necessity! Discover how to use two $10 bulbs to create a dramatic, high contrast shot. Simply genius.

47 Studio fashion set up 4

See the fashion photography master in action through each step of this shoot. Watch and hear how he manages the body language of the model and the simple set-up and lighting to create a fashion shot.

48 Studio session with a model. The geography of a face

Learn to create art with the profile of a face and work the geography of a face with simple lighting techniques.

49 Look inside the picture

The man himself gives suggestions on how to progress and review your photography. Find out his tips on looking “inside” the picture.

50 Creating memorability in an image

Learn tips on the skill of quick thinking and analysing your surroundings. The photographer uses an example where he used his surroundings to create a unique and surreal shot for Italian Vogue.

51 Combining nudes and landscapes

In this lesson we reveal one of the Master’s very latest projects. Learn as he shows how he created a stunning series of images by combining nudes with different landscape textures.

52 A perfect print

Albert explains where the passion began for printing his own work and how it has developed. Listen to his overview on how critical it is to print an image on the right type of paper in order to create the perfect print.

53 The business side of things

Learn how Albert runs each aspect of his business. We travel with Albert to one of his exhibitions in Italy where he explains the why and how of the prints on show.

54 Conclusion and farewell

In this final lesson of the Albert Watson photography course the Master summarises some of the fundamental learning points he has acquired over his 40-year career. He leaves you with some poignant tips and bids his farewell, “onwards and upwards”.

SEE ALL 54 LESSONS IN THE MASTERCLASS

SEE FEWER LESSONS

Lesson Plan

The Masterclass

The Discovery Class

Lesson Plan: 10 lessons over 1 hour 25 minutes

Upgrade to Masterclass later for only USD $199This price is indicated in USD and will be converted to your local currency at checkout.

1 Meet your Master

The Master welcomes you to the Albert Watson photography course.

5 Albert's library of ideas

Join Albert in his own library where he shows you which books and artists he suggests you look at and study for inspiration and motivation. He also reveals his tip for buying inexpensive photography references.

11 Studio session with a model - set up 1

Learn how to work with your subject. A unique insight, Watch and learn Albert working in the studio, explaining his thoughts and showing us exactly how he shoots.

18 One day with Kate Moss

Albert explains his ideas and how he created his iconic images during a day photographing Kate Moss.

26 Shooting landscapes. The Isle of Skye

In this lesson the Master talks about the need to raise landscape photography above the cliched picture postcard so you can create images with depth and meaning. One of his most personal and unique projects is his Scottish landscape series and he explains his approach.

28 Creating still life images

From shooting Elvis Presley’s iconic gold outfit, to Neil Armstrong’s space suit, bed pans in L.A and images of Tutankhamen’s possessions, the artist talks about not giving up in difficult situations and how to add meaning and creativity to still lifes.

46 How to light only using two $10 bulbs

This is a incredible lesson where Albert demonstrates to you that expensive lighting equipment is by no means a necessity! Discover how to use two $10 bulbs to create a dramatic, high contrast shot. Simply genius.

47 Studio fashion set up 4

See the fashion photography master in action as we watch each step of this shoot. Watch and hear how Albert manages the body language of the model and the simple set up and lighting to create a fashion shot.

52 A perfect print

In this lesson you’ll learn how the Master’s passion for printing evolved and discover his thoughts on the importance of printing an image on the correct paper in order to create the ideal print.

54 Conclusion and farewell

In this final lesson of the Albert Watson photography course, the Master recounts the most important and enduring things he’s learned over the past four decades and leaves you with some wonderful final tips. He bids farewell and wishes you “onwards and upwards.”

Meet your Master of Photography

albert Watson

In this exclusive Albert Watson photography course, the secrets of his craft and success are revealed for the first time. Find out how to create his stunning portraits, landscapes and still life images.

Albert Watson covers fashion photography, model photography, celebrity photography and advertising photography as well as large scale projects for books, landscape photography and still photography. You’ll learn how to light a portrait with everyday light bulbs, post production, where to find inspiration and how to approach all types of photography.

This is not a photography course about the technical aspects of camera settings, it’s a journey with one of the greatest photographers in the world into creativity and the art of photography.

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Check the Reviews!

Albert’s Tip of the Month

Great portraiture lighting doesn’t have to be expensive! Learn how you can achieve a powerful and dramatic portrait using only two $10 domestic lightbulbs!

Albert focuses on simplicity in this clip. He demonstrates how to use flags to play with light, showing you how he uses them to accentuate the model’s cheekbones and create a dramatic image.

Albert in the news

Behind the Scenes with Founder and Filmmaker

chris Ryan

Founder and filmmaker, Chris Ryan, explains how Masters of Photography came into existence. He discusses his desire to find out how the great masters create their own images and to create a platform for anyone to have the experience of learning side by side with a Master of Photography.

Join An Online Photography Course And Get All These Great Extra Benefits

Your Questions Answered

What is Masters of Photography?

Masters of Photography is an education platform and a resource for photographers. Our courses (the masterclasses and discovery classes) are for anyone who wants to learn from some of the most highly regarded and influential photographers in the world in order to elevate their own photography. If you want to learn why not learn from the best? The Masters themselves study the works of the greats.

How much experience do I need to take this class? What camera gear do I need?

The classes have been designed to be suitable for all levels of experience. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced professional, learning from a Master is sure to help you to improve your photography.

All you need is a camera, whether that be a DSLR or a smartphone.

What's included in my class?

The classes provide you with lifetime access to the ethos and photographic philosophies of true master photographers. You will learn how they approach their work, the techniques they use and their tips for elevating your own photography.

When you join a class, you will be able discuss the lessons with your fellow students. You will also be able to upload your images to the Photostream and receive feedback from the Masters of Photography community.

After you finish your class, you will receive a digital Certificate of Completion.

Do you have a refund policy?

Yes. If for any reason you are unhappy with your class or feel that you can’t commit to it, simply drop us an email within 30 days and we will refund 100% of your purchase.

How do I take part in the classes?

The classes are delivered online, allowing you to learn from anywhere with an internet connection. You’ll get all the benefits of a workshop experience from the comfort of your own home.

Life gets busy sometimes and it’s hard to fit everything in. That’s why our classes are self-paced allowing you to drop in for lessons whenever it suits you.

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Get 7 amazing free lessons from the Masters

Each complete lesson is packed full of tips and tricks from some of the greatest photographers in the world

If you’d like to learn more about all our Masters Of Photography, then why not join up to our Free Online Photography Courses, where you can trial some content for FREE before you enrol in a photography course. You'll get a lesson from each our Masters: (Albert Watson, Cristina Mittermeier, David Yarrow, Joel Meyerowitz, Nick Danziger, Paul Nicklen and Steve McCurry!). They'll cover a number of genres of photography including landscape photography, street photography, fine-art, sill life, fashion, travel photography, conservation photography, wildlife photography and much more.

Albert Watson Interview The Rolling Stones