Rankin
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.
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What you'll learn
Whether you're confident working with a DSLR or a beginner with a humble smartphone; this online photography course will inspire your life behind the lens. With hands-on challenges throughout to help unlock your creative voice, Rankin breaks down his craft into digestible lessons that cover everything from camera techniques through to interacting with talent and promoting your work. You'll learn why selfies are "the bane" of Rankin's life and hear brilliant ideas and perspectives from his peers and collaborators. Before you know it, you'll have created your very own photography portfolio, filled with a variety of creative work that's ready to share with the world.
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Sign up and get a flavour of Rankin’s course as he shows you first-hand how to work with natural light, adapt to shifting weather conditions, and get the most from your subject.
Meet your Maestro
Across a career spanning more than three decades, Rankin has photographed some of the most recognisable celebrities and public figures, including The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Kate Moss. As well as his portraiture, Rankin has shot iconic music videos for the likes of Miley Cyrus and Rita Ora, created advertising campaigns for brands such as Mercedes-AMG and Samsonite, and published over 40 books and magazines, including Dazed & Confused, which he co-founded with Jefferson Hack in 1991. His work has featured not only on the glossy pages of Vogue, GQ, and Rolling Stone, but also on the walls of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the MoMA in New York.
Lesson Plan
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2 mins
Rankin welcomes you to his photography course and gives an overview of his 30-year career and approach to photography.
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2 mins
Get a summary of the content Rankin will cover and what to expect on your journey through this photography course.
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10 mins
Learn what goes into making a photograph memorable and hear the story behind Rankin’s iconic shots, from The Queen to his mum and dad.
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25 mins
Hear from three of Rankin’s creative peers what portraiture means to them and the power it has to help us understand our fellow humans.
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7 mins
Get to grips with the fundamentals as Rankin introduces the various camera options that you might have available.
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3 mins
Learn why a smartphone is all you need to start taking professional quality images.
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1 min
See what you can achieve with only the automatic settings on whichever camera you are using.
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13 mins
Take your camera off auto as Rankin breaks down the basic rules of photography to understand what the manual controls really do.
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5 mins
Learn exactly what you need to get started when it comes to the endless array of lenses on offer.
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1 min
Switch your camera from auto settings to manual and see how having control sets your creativity free.
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5 mins
Hear from Rankin and fellow photographer Ken Kamara as they discuss the all-important subject of lighting in portrait photography.
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3 mins
Learn how Rankin sets up his own photography studio lighting and discover popular techniques to enhance any image with basic equipment.
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8 mins
Adventure out of the studio with Rankin as he explores the power, challenges, and beauty of natural light.
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1 min
Find two or three portraits that you love that are lit differently and try to recreate them.
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3 mins
Explore the crucial steps you need to take before every photo shoot if you want it to be a success.
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5 mins
Join Rankin and makeup artist Heidi North as they discuss the importance of communication and creating a visual reference for the team.
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1 min
Ignite your imagination and put your vision onto the page with your very own photography moodboard.
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7 mins
Join Rankin and makeup artist Heidi North in the studio as they bring their latest collaboration to life.
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13 mins
Learn 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.
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10 mins
See all the skills you’ve learned put together as Rankin creates a memorable portrait with his frequent collaborator; the rapper, DJ and model, ROXXXAN.
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22 mins
Join Rankin and his frequent creative collaborator ROXXXAN as they explore the importance of the subject-photographer relationship.
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1 min
Create a portrait that will stop your viewer in their tracks, using all the new skills you’ve learned.
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2 mins
Learn what to do after you’ve taken your shot with the essential stage of post-production.
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19 mins
Watch as Rankin breaks down the more advanced possibilities available through modern post-production software.
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7 mins
See what happens when Rankin turns his smartphone lens onto himself to take his own self-portrait.
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1 min
Be brave and step in front of the lens to discover something new about yourself.
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13 mins
Join Rankin and photographer Ken Kamara as they discuss the importance of seeing yourself reflected both behind the camera and in the images being created.
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1 min
Use your newfound skills to capture a person in your world who rarely sees themselves represented in a portrait.
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30 mins
Hear 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.
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1 min
Push yourself out of your comfort zone by using your camera to tell someone else’s story.
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2 mins
Discover what could be next in your photography journey as Rankin explores more advanced skills and techniques for you to learn.
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20 mins
Hear 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.
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Join Rankin and photographer Ken Kamara as they explore the importance of building a network when it comes to landing the next job.
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5 mins
Listen up as Rankin answers the top questions new photographers ask him after 30 years in the industry.
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1 min
Find 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.
Pick your package
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- Learn without limits on your computer, phone or tablet
- Download course notes and exercises to learn at your own pace
- Change or cancel your subscription at any time
Annual access
$120 $72 for a one year subscription
Access every BBC Maestro course
- Experience 100+ hours of video lessons each year
- Be the first to explore new courses as soon as they land
- Enjoy discounted rates to own your favourite courses for life
- Explore at ease with a 30-day money back guarantee
Own this course for life
$89 / $53.40
- Have lifetime access to "An Introduction to Photography" by Rankin
- Immerse yourself in hours of compelling video lessons
- Watch at your own pace as many times as you like
- Upgrade to our unlimited annual subscription for 1 year after purchase at a discount
Give them the photo opportunity of a lifetime.
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Common questions
BBC Maestro is a subscription-based streaming platform, created to educate and inspire people to explore their creativity. Through pre-recorded lessons and detailed course notes, anyone can learn a wide range of disciplines and follow in the footsteps of experts respected all over the world.
BBC Maestro offers single course purchases or an annual subscription.
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Check your inbox - your free lesson is on the way!
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Please try again later
Get a free taster lesson
Sign up and get a flavour of Rankin’s course as he shows you first-hand how to work with natural light, adapt to shifting weather conditions, and get the most from your subject.