Arcadia for Amateurs

Arcadia for Amateurs is a Stranger mission featured in Red Dead Redemption 2. The quest becomes available during Chapter 2.

Story[]

A photographer named Albert Mason is found in a field tending to a camera. The player approaches the man and the two introduce each other as the protagonist stands as a subject in front of Albert's camera. Albert tells him that he is hoping to photograph some of the world's predators before the greatest predators "kill them all and stick them on some clubhouse wall." A coyote appears while the men are talking and picks of Albert's bag and runs off. The player chases after the critter. After a short chase, the animal drops the bag.

In the next encounter, Albert is attempting to capture wolves by hanging meat on a tree and waiting for a good shot. After a group of wolves sniffs out the meat, they turn and begin to attack the player and Albert. After being dispatched, the protagonist tells him that animal photography might not be Albert's calling before leaving.

On their next encounter, Albert decides to photograph easier animals, Horses, instead. He struggles with getting close up shots of the animals and the player assist him in leading the horses close. As thanks, Albert gives Arthur a photograph of the wolves before moving on.

Despite the player's warning, Albert decides to photograph dangerous predators again, this time focusing on alligators in the bayou of Saint Denis. Albert attempts to photo alligators on the water's edge but the protagonist tells him of how dangerous it is and suggests they photograph from the boat instead. The player rows across the water for three photographs before returning to land.

In their final encounter, Albert is high up on a cliffside taking pictures of eagles. Albert thanks the protagonist for all of his help over their last few events. Right after he warns him to step away from the cliff's edge, Albert slips and falls off the cliffside and is holding on for dear life. Albert reads the writing on the wall and hangs up his photography pursuits and thanks the protagonist one last time.

In the mission "The Artist's Way - III" all of Albert's photographs are displayed in the gallery in Saint Denis.

Walkthrough[]

Part I[]

You can meet this stranger, Albert Mason, by the river just southeast of Strawberry (I). After your first conversation, head lo the highlighted area. The coyote that stole Mason's bag will run to the west, between two shacks: hit it with any weapon, then retrieve the bag and deliver it back to the photographer.

Part II[]

Two in-game days later, Mason can be found to the northwest of Wallace Station (II). When the wolves attack, take them out in any manner you see fit. Brief bursts of Dead Eye can be useful here.

Part III[]

Your next encounter occurs a short distance to the north of Emerald Ranch, after at least 48 in-game hours have elapsed (III). After your conversation, mount up, ride to the wild horses to the northwest, and herd them back toward the waypoint.

Note: This quest is skipped if done after Chapter 6.

Part IV[]

Albert Mason appears for the fourth time on the east side of the Lagras swamps, again at least 48 in-game hours later (IV). Once in the boat, your goal is to row to the three highlighted areas in turn. At the westernmost highlighted area, Mason will ask you to jump off the boat and lure the alligator.

Part V[]

For the final, cutscene-only encounter, Mason is found at a beautiful viewpoint just north of Horseshoe Overlook (V), a minimum of two in-game days after the previous stage.

Trivia[]

If the player approaches Albert to do his mission past 18:00 in-game time, Mason will leave the area saying "Alas! We've lost the light. Have to save this photograph for another day!"^[1]
If the player skins the wolves in Part II, Mason will comment on it. This is an easy way to obtain a lot of perfect wolf pelts as well, so long as the player shoots the wolves with the right weapon (like a rifle with standard ammo, or a bow with improved arrows).
Part III will be skipped in the epilogue, most likely because John would not know how to herd horses.
In Part III, Albert likes to take a photo of the wild Missouri Fox Trotter. However this horse is not a wild animal and can only be obtained by buying it in the Stables.
Also during Part III, it is entirely possible, albeit extremely difficult, to acquire the Silver Dapple Pinto Missouri Fox Trotter a full four chapters before the player is supposed to. While herding the horses, go into Eagle Eye, track the Silver Dapple Pinto and then exit Eagle Eye while staying focused on the horse's trail. Once Mason photographs the herd, go to him and skip the cutscene as soon as it starts. Then follow the horse's trail, carefully and patiently, as the trail can be lost and the tracking process can last approximately up to 10 minutes. Once you find the horse, jump on it from your horse's back and ride it to the nearest stable without dismounting it to saddle it up or store it. Save the game and load the save file you just made. Then the horse will be yours to keep.
- Because of this oversight, this makes the Silver Dapple Pinto Missouri Fox Trotter and the Dark Bay Turkoman the only two horses whose coat colors are supposed to only be available in the Epilogue that are also completely obtainable in the main story.
The images taken by Albert Mason are part of the gallery of Saint Denis in the mission "The Artist's Way".