Eric Watson (9 September 1955 – 18 March 2012) was an English photographer. Watson was born in Newcastle. He moved to London in 1974 and studied fine art at Hornsey Art College from 1977–1980, where Adam Ant was his contemporary. He 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 1986 he was one of the main photographers for "Smash Hits" magazine where his friend Neil Tennant was assistant editor. On 18 March 2012, Watson died after suffering a heart attack.