Eric Watson (photographer)
Encyclopedia
Eric Watson is an English
photographer.
Watson moved to London in 1974 to study fine art at Hornsey Art College
, where his contemporaries included Adam Ant
and became an assistant to the photographer Red Saunders
in 1980 and soon branched out as a photographer in his own right, primarily in the pop music business. From 1981 to 1985 he was one of the main photographers for "Smash Hits
" magazine where his friend Neil Tennant
was assistant editor.
When Tennant formed the Pet Shop Boys
with Chris Lowe
, Watson took the first photographs of them and was their main photographer and video director from 1984 to 1991. Watson was much in demand as a pop photographer throughout the 1980s, his images of Spandau Ballet
and Frankie Goes to Hollywood
being particularly memorable.
The first video he directed was "Opportunities (Lets make lots of money)" for Pet Shop Boys in 1985, his co-director being Andy Morahan. He subsequently directed a series of Pet Shop Boys videos, including "Suburbia", "What have I done to deserve this?", "Domino dancing" and "DJ Culture". He also directed videos for many other pop artists including Holly Johnson and Yaz before concentrating on TV commercials.
He has exhibited his photographs at the Blue Gallery in London
and in the "Icons of Pop" exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. His photographs of Pet Shop Boys were displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in London in 2006.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
photographer.
Watson moved to London in 1974 to study fine art at Hornsey Art College
Hornsey College of Art
Hornsey College of Art is a former college centred in Crouch End, London, England. Since 2008, the building has been a part of Coleridge Primary School, upon its expansion to four form entry...
, where his contemporaries included Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant is an English musician who gained popularity as the lead singer of New Wave/post-punk group Adam and the Ants and later as a solo artist, scoring ten UK top ten hits between 1980 and 1983, including three No.1s...
and became an assistant to the photographer Red Saunders
Red Saunders
Red Saunders was a British photographer and founder of Rock Against Racism. He has specialised in rock music photography. He is part of theatre group Complicite.-External links:* * http://www.reddogonline.eu/mcredman.htm...
in 1980 and soon branched out as a photographer in his own right, primarily in the pop music business. From 1981 to 1985 he was one of the main photographers for "Smash Hits
Smash Hits
Smash Hits was a pop music based magazine, aimed at teenagers and young adults and originally published in the United Kingdom by EMAP. It ran from 1978 to 2006 and was issued fortnightly for most of that time...
" magazine where his friend Neil Tennant
Neil Tennant
Neil Francis Tennant is an English musician, singer and songwriter, who, with bandmate Chris Lowe, makes up the successful electronic dance music duo Pet Shop Boys.-Childhood:...
was assistant editor.
When Tennant formed the Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
with Chris Lowe
Chris Lowe
Chris Lowe is an English musician, who, with colleague Neil Tennant, makes up the pop duo Pet Shop Boys.-Childhood:...
, Watson took the first photographs of them and was their main photographer and video director from 1984 to 1991. Watson was much in demand as a pop photographer throughout the 1980s, his images of Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet are a British band formed in London in the late 1970s. Initially inspired by, and an integral part of, the New Romantic fashion, their music has featured a mixture of funk, jazz, soul and synthpop. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s, achieving ten Top Ten singles...
and Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Frankie Goes to Hollywood were a British dance-pop band popular in the mid-1980s. The group was fronted by Holly Johnson , with Paul Rutherford , Peter Gill , Mark O'Toole , and Brian Nash .The group's debut single "Relax" was banned by the BBC in 1984 while at number six in the charts and...
being particularly memorable.
The first video he directed was "Opportunities (Lets make lots of money)" for Pet Shop Boys in 1985, his co-director being Andy Morahan. He subsequently directed a series of Pet Shop Boys videos, including "Suburbia", "What have I done to deserve this?", "Domino dancing" and "DJ Culture". He also directed videos for many other pop artists including Holly Johnson and Yaz before concentrating on TV commercials.
He has exhibited his photographs at the Blue Gallery in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and in the "Icons of Pop" exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. His photographs of Pet Shop Boys were displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in London in 2006.