BBC Maestro

Rankin - An Introduction to Photography

Learn to take photos that stop people in their tracks with the legendary photographer behind portraits of everyone from Stormzy to The Queen. Join Rankin in his studio and prepare to get hands-on with the fundamentals – this course covers everything from lenses and lighting to inspiring creative challenges. It's time to create a striking photography portfolio all of your own.

Where to Watch Rankin - An Introduction to Photography

35 Episodes

  • Welcome
    E1
    WelcomeRankin welcomes you to his photography course and gives an overview of his 30-year career and approach to photography.
  • Introduction to the Course
    E2
    Introduction to the CourseGet a summary of the content Rankin will cover and what to expect on your journey through this photography course.
  • How To Take A Good Portrait
    E3
    How To Take A Good PortraitLearn what goes into making a photograph memorable and hear the story behind Rankin’s iconic shots, from The Queen to his mum and dad.
  • The Power Of Portraiture
    E4
    The Power Of PortraitureHear from three of Rankin’s creative peers what portraiture means to them and the power it has to help us understand our fellow humans.
  • Introduction To Cameras
    E5
    Introduction To CamerasGet to grips with the fundamentals as Rankin introduces the various camera options that you might have available.
  • Smartphone Photography
    E6
    Smartphone PhotographyLearn why a smartphone is all you need to start taking professional quality images.
  • Challenge One: Auto Settings
    E7
    Challenge One: Auto SettingsSee what you can achieve with only the automatic settings on whichever camera you are using.
  • Photography Basics
    E8
    Photography BasicsTake your camera off auto as Rankin breaks down the basic rules of photography to understand what the manual controls really do.
  • Camera Lenses
    E9
    Camera LensesLearn exactly what you need to get started when it comes to the endless array of lenses on offer.
  • Challenge Two: Manual Settings
    E10
    Challenge Two: Manual SettingsSwitch your camera from auto settings to manual and see how having control sets your creativity free.
  • Introduction To Photography Lighting
    E11
    Introduction To Photography LightingHear from Rankin and fellow photographer Ken Kamara as they discuss the all-important subject of lighting in portrait photography.
  • Studio Lighting
    E12
    Studio LightingLearn how Rankin sets up his own photography studio lighting and discover popular techniques to enhance any image with basic equipment.
  • Natural Lighting
    E13
    Natural LightingAdventure out of the studio with Rankin as he explores the power, challenges, and beauty of natural light.
  • Challenge Three: Lighting
    E14
    Challenge Three: LightingFind two or three portraits that you love that are lit differently and try to recreate them.
  • Photo Shoot Preperation
    E15
    Photo Shoot PreperationExplore the crucial steps you need to take before every photo shoot if you want it to be a success.
  • Visualising Your Idea
    E16
    Visualising Your IdeaJoin Rankin and makeup artist Heidi North as they discuss the importance of communication and creating a visual reference for the team.
  • Challenge Four: Moodboard
    E17
    Challenge Four: MoodboardIgnite your imagination and put your vision onto the page with your very own photography moodboard.
  • Creative Collaborations
    E18
    Creative CollaborationsJoin Rankin and makeup artist Heidi North in the studio as they bring their latest collaboration to life.
  • Getting The Most Out Of Your Subject
    E19
    Getting The Most Out Of Your SubjectLearn why the relationship with your subject is key to a memorable portrait and hear about key themes like trust and consent from photographers Giles Duley and Ken Kamara.
  • In The Studio With Rankin
    E20
    In The Studio With RankinSee all the skills you’ve learned put together as Rankin creates a memorable portrait with his frequent collaborator; the rapper, DJ and model, ROXXXAN.
  • The Other Side Of The Lens
    E21
    The Other Side Of The LensJoin Rankin and his frequent creative collaborator ROXXXAN as they explore the importance of the subject-photographer relationship.
  • Challenge Five: Portrait Photography
    E22
    Challenge Five: Portrait PhotographyCreate a portrait that will stop your viewer in their tracks, using all the new skills you’ve learned.
  • Photography Post-Production
    E23
    Photography Post-ProductionLearn what to do after you’ve taken your shot with the essential stage of post-production.
  • Creative Retouching
    E24
    Creative RetouchingWatch as Rankin breaks down the more advanced possibilities available through modern post-production software.
  • Ranking's Self-Portrait
    E25
    Ranking's Self-PortraitSee what happens when Rankin turns his smartphone lens onto himself to take his own self-portrait.
  • Challenge Six: Self-Portrait
    E26
    Challenge Six: Self-PortraitBe brave and step in front of the lens to discover something new about yourself.
  • Representation
    E27
    RepresentationJoin Rankin and photographer Ken Kamara as they discuss the importance of seeing yourself reflected both behind the camera and in the images being created.
  • Challenge Seven: Who Do You See?
    E28
    Challenge Seven: Who Do You See?Use your newfound skills to capture a person in your world who rarely sees themselves represented in a portrait.
  • Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zone
    E29
    Getting Out Of Your Comfort ZoneHear from photographer Giles Duley as he explores his change of career from music and fashion photography to putting himself in harm’s way across the world’s conflict zones.
  • Challenge Eight: Be Brave And Be Bold
    E30
    Challenge Eight: Be Brave And Be BoldPush yourself out of your comfort zone by using your camera to tell someone else’s story.
  • Extra Tips
    E31
    Extra TipsDiscover what could be next in your photography journey as Rankin explores more advanced skills and techniques for you to learn.
  • How To Build Your Photography Portfolio
    E32
    How To Build Your Photography PortfolioHear from photographer and filmmaker Bexy Cameron as she suggests top tips for building your photography portfolio and getting it in front of the right people.
  • How To Get The Job
    E33
    How To Get The JobJoin Rankin and photographer Ken Kamara as they explore the importance of building a network when it comes to landing the next job.
  • Q&A With Rankin
    E34
    Q&A With RankinListen up as Rankin answers the top questions new photographers ask him after 30 years in the industry.
  • Outro
    E35
    OutroFind out what it is that you’re passionate about, what you want to say about the world, and take images that will reveal something in each of your subjects that no one has seen before.

 

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