Apertura trains fine art photographers in the full breadth of the medium — from analogue darkroom mastery to contemporary conceptual practice. Our faculty are working artists exhibiting in major galleries worldwide.
Our Approach
Three disciplines that distinguish a photographer from an artist.
Photography is the writing of light. We teach our students to see — to read the quality, direction, and colour temperature of light in any environment, and to use it as a primary compositional element.
The decisive moment begins before the shutter. Every element within the frame carries visual weight. We develop each student's compositional instinct through daily practice and deep engagement with art history.
Great photography is never accidental. We insist on the development of a personal creative process — a clear artistic intention that connects each image to a broader body of work with conceptual integrity.
Masterclasses
Four intensive programmes across analogue, digital, and conceptual photography — each led by internationally exhibited artists.
A complete return to the fundamentals of analogue photography — loading film, zone system exposure, and the meditative practice of wet darkroom printing from negative to final print.
Advanced digital capture, RAW processing as artistic decision-making, and museum-standard inkjet printing. The full digital pipeline treated as a fine art medium with complete expressive control.
A rigorous programme in conceptual photography and portfolio development. Students develop a coherent body of work under individual mentorship, culminating in a group exhibition at our gallery partner.
Photograph in extraordinary locations — Iceland, Kyoto, Patagonia — under the direct mentorship of internationally exhibited landscape photographers. Includes full travel and accommodation.
Our Studios
Our New York studio houses a professional film darkroom with sixteen enlarger stations, a digital printing lab with two Epson SC-P9570 wide-format printers, a fully equipped studio with strobe and continuous lighting systems, and a gallery space for student exhibitions.
Intensive travel programmes take students to our Kyoto and Amsterdam studios, as well as to residencies in Iceland, Patagonia, and the American Southwest — locations chosen for their extraordinary photographic potential.
Visit Our StudioApplication Process
Submit 12–20 of your strongest images along with a brief artist's statement (300 words max) explaining your current practice and what you hope to achieve through the masterclass.
Your portfolio is reviewed by the faculty of the programme you've applied for. We look for seriousness of vision, not technical perfection — we can teach technique, but not genuine artistic curiosity.
Shortlisted applicants attend an in-person or video interview to discuss their work and goals. This is a conversation between artists — an opportunity for us to understand your artistic vision in depth.
Accepted students receive a welcome pack including a recommended equipment list, preliminary reading, and pre-programme exercises designed to ensure you arrive ready for intensive work from day one.
All programmes begin with a full-day orientation session in the studio, meeting your cohort and faculty, setting personal objectives, and making your first images as an Apertura student.
Our History
Photographer Marcus Webb establishes Apertura in a converted SoHo loft, offering an eight-week programme in black and white film photography to a cohort of eight students.
A second studio opens in Kyoto's Gion district, offering a dedicated programme in Japanese landscape and documentary photography in collaboration with local masters.
Apertura formalises a partnership with the Galerie Meridian in Amsterdam, providing graduating students with regular group exhibition opportunities and collector connections.
The annual Location Masterclass programme launches, with the inaugural edition in Iceland's Westfjords receiving international press attention and selling out within 48 hours.
Student Stories
Apply Now
Programmes begin on a rolling basis throughout the year. Class sizes are limited to 6–8 students to maintain the intensity and individual attention that define the Apertura experience.
Merit-based bursaries are available for applicants demonstrating exceptional creative promise. Contact us to discuss your application before submitting.