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Sometimes a new approach to an old way of doing something is just what it takes to create a breakthrough. That’s exactly what The Arcanum aims to do by using the latest technology to bringing back the Master & Apprentice method of teaching photography and art.
While it’s true that the master & apprentice model is still alive and well in photography, it is mostly limited to a small number of students that can afford to work long hours for little pay as a pro photographer’s first or second assistant. Over the last 10-20 years, amateur photographers have attempted to fill this “training gap” through enrollment in professional training schools (which can cost as much as $100,000 in tuition) or self learning via the endless amount of free (or almost free) educational content posted to websites and youtube. While both of these options have produced excellent photographers, neither is a substitute for hands-on coaching and feedback from a working master of the art.
The Arcanum, which is the brain child of pro photographer Trey Ratcliff, aims to match photography students up with Pros in an online master & apprentice relationship. After applying, Apprentices are hand picked by masters from a variety of photography disciplines and guided through ten levels of artistic mastery – after which they can then be taken on by a new master.
I’m personally very excited to be one of the initial masters at The Arcanum and look forward to guiding a group of apprentices when the doors open fully in 2014.