Quotes on the photography of Stephen Johnson

I recently took Stephen Johnson's two-day workshop in beginning digital photography. This is what I can tell you about it. Stephen is a superb teacher, who knows how to explain complex techniques. He understands how much his students know and don't know, and proceeds from there. He covered a great deal of information in a gentle and stimulating manner. The reason I took the seminar was because I wanted to make digital prints from a set of black and white negatives I had shot some forty years ago in Harlan County, Kentucky, when I worked as a professional photographer. I am now convinced that going digital, although different from the darkroom, can produce superb prints. Stephen has gotten me started on this long project and his strong positive support has been invaluable Andrew A Stern Professor Emeritus, Graduate School of Journalism University of California, Berkeley		Just had a "wonderful four days" in Steve's Printing workshop. "The workshop was satisfying in every way---and real world ---beginning from how annoying and balky digital devices can be all the way to how superb prints are within the reach and the grasp of mere mortals (like me). The recipe is disarmingly simple: add equal parts of education, inspiration, perspiration, frustration mitigation, insight, excellent technical support and equipment; mix liberally (all meanings); season with a generous spirit and humor and out comes a great four day workshop." George Andros Los Angeles, California
Although I am a recreational as opposed to a "serious" photographer, I feel that the time I spent in Steve's workshops and the follow up critiques has contributed more to my appreciation and enjoyment of my trips and shots of family and grandchildren than an entire lifetime of trial and error. His insistence that I put some thought into every shot - what a concept - and his ability to find a way to look at a mediocre shot and show me how to improve it is unique, I think, and I notice that I am not alone in feeling this way. I have referred him to many friends over the years and they have been similarly enthusiastic and more to the point, we have been able to see the improvement in their work. Norma Burchard	Steve brings in-the-field experience, a love of the medium, and the true heart of a teacher to his workshops and seminars. Through his example I have become a devotee of landscape photography. I've grown from using film with a Nikon to creating my own web site with digital images enhanced with Photoshop. The most important element of fine photography that I've learned from Steve, however, is recognizing a good composition. I also paint plein air landscapes in oil. My skills with the brush may be questionable, but my compositions are always right on! Caroline Commins Sonoma, California


In attending Steve Johnson's Beginning Digital Workshop, I gained a good grasp of basic digital aspects of photography. More importantly, I obtained a sense of vision regarding the future of digital fine art photography and a sense of vision for how I might tie in digital photography to my own dreams. I respect Steve Johnson's dedication to beauty and photography. Mel Blades, Pastor, Counselor Part-time Photographer	We have been in two of Steve's Workshops; Mono Lake and Death Valley. They were both incredible. Not only did we experience wonderful sights, but we truly learned how to photograph nature! One photograph I took is now a 16x20 framed landscape ("Death Valley Sunrise") that is my office. It is so incredible that I get offers to buy it...and I took it! That was only possible because of Steve's great tutoring. Steve is as good a teacher as he is a photographer...and is one the best photographers in the country. Jack & Peggy Grove

My decision to attend a Stephen Johnson workshop was based on my own internet research for a unique opportunity to learn better image composition and visualization from a master capable of demonstrating that talent. Stephen Johnson's accomplishments in digital imaging impressed me that he would be the right person.

The four-day Death Valley workshop more than fulfilled my expectations. Stephen has to be one of an extremely limited number of individuals in the world that fully understand the process of image concept to realization within the digital imaging domain. I found, not only his knowledge of the subject, but his passion for it to be the most rewarding for me. His philosophy, passion for photography, and constructive attention not only gave me new insight into seeing better images, but helped mold the direction of my own creative decision-making and philosophy. The essence of that alone was well worth the experience.

I can't recommend him enough to anyone interested in improving their skills. I will most definitely recommend and be found on other Stephen Johnson workshops.

Steve Somers
Los Angeles, California

Stephen Johnson's workshop on digital photography has entirely shifted my former perspective about digital imaging. What I learned in his workshop gave me a new outlook on film, digital imaging, visual sensitivity to color, film and chip sensitivity to color, pre-visualization and composition, and digital printing. What better place to see and remember true color, than in the light of the landscape itself.

A master in the medium, I consider him as I do the classic photographers that I have been so influenced by. His keen sense of color and composition is stunning, and I am inspired by where he has gone in the world of photography. I have a great respect for the scope of knowledge he has, which he generously shares with other photographers.

His integrity is solid, his work is amazing, and the knowledge I have gained in his workshop has continued to directly help me understand and grow in my own creative adventures.

Janie Fitzgerald
Los Angeles, California

Steve's pioneering work in digital imaging, extensive knowledge of and experience in digital photography technologies and ability to explain complex subject matter so that workshop attendees can both understand and use his techniques make Steve an outstanding teacher. Steve's workshops are well planned with ample opportunities to observe techniques in use. Steve has a very strong interest in helping workshop attendees not just understand but also put to use his digital imaging knowledge and techniques presented in his workshops.

Richard C. Edwards
Rich Edwards Imagery

Thank you so much for the wonderful weekend at Pt. Lobos. It was both invigorating and inspirational. You helped us to look for patterns in the rocks, the kelp and the ebb and flow of the waves. You showed us the quirky zen-like quality of lichen, the sweet playfulness of California poppies and the ethereal beauty of fog. And equally important, you gave us an opportunity to touch history. Visiting Al Weber was a special treat. I could have sat there all day listening to his lifetime of stories, if he had wanted to talk that long. Richard Newman from Calumet was equally interesting. I could have listened to him all day as well. Whereas Al’s focus was the past and the importance of preserving the past, Richard’s was the future of photography. And then there we were with you our photography guru, in the present, for a weekend, which was part workshop, part pilgrimage, trying to be a tiny part of the continuing story of Carmel photography. Thanks to you, it was truly a special weekend.

Pat Silveri
Marin County California

Let’s hear it for Stephen Johnson. Working from a studio and gallery complex in Pacifica, California, Steve runs a fine series of workshops directed towards digital photography. No one I am aware of is as advanced as Steve, and few others have the proper training to teach. Steve offers the complete package. Not a rented space with tired old computers, but a real digital lab, with state of the art equipment and printers and scanners and ... expertise you wouldn’t believe. Soft-spoken and easy going, Steve has years of experience and it is all on the walls. Write for a brochure and calendar of on going classes AND check his webpage: www.sjphoto.com

Al Weber, Photographer
Carmel, California
from his 2001 NEWSLETTER

There is no better teacher than Stephen Johnson. YOU are the reason for the workshop and he is passionate about helping YOU become a better photographer. Honest, kind and always willing to help make a Stephen Johnson workshop a remarkable experience. Stephen Johnson is a great photographer- and a greater friend. His love of nature and its beauty will inspire your work."

Paul Tornaqundichi
Connecticut

A Workshop Experience: Review by Dan Pimentel

Photo Projects | Studios & Gallery | Digital Portraits | Lectures & Articles | About Steve