Stephen Johnson Photography News
March 2021
Blue-line on Sea. 2021. Canon EOS R5, RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM.
I saw this dark blue line on the horizon from my deck and rushed down to the seaside cliffs. I didn't expect the wonderful sun breaking through the clouds and glare off the water as well. The line disappeared as the sun grew brighter, but not before I was able to try a few photographs, including and HDR set to hold the ever brightening sun a little.
Upcoming Workshops and Sales:
Masterful Fine Art Digital Printing Virtual Workshop
April 17-18, 2021
No Gallery Print Sale
40% off all prints during shutdown
Welcome to the March 2021 Edition of the Stephen Johnson Photography Newsletter.
As 2021 rapidly advances and the pandemic remains, time and projects seem to get measured incrementally…and now with the vaccine, what can I do? Where can I go? I am convinced it is important to remain masked and distanced, but am planning trips and workshops where that is possible. Please stay safe. We are not through this just yet.
— Steve
This month's View From Here column collects work from the last month and explores the fascinations that keep me working. Our new Virtual Classes are continuing to broaden with new offerings including my new Projects Lecture Series continuing with the 50 Years of Space Photography Virtual Lecture. March 24, 2021. 6pm-7:30pm PST. I hope you find the column interesting and will consider sending me some comments. As these Newsletters can cover many subjects, let me know of topics you would like to see addressed.
Workshops are currently moving to virtual where possible. All workshops currently scheduled are subject to necessary corona virus spread prevention logistics.
FEATURED PRINT March 2021
Oxalis Burst of Spring-like Color under February Cumulus Sky. San Mateo Coast, California. 2021. Canon EOS R5, RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens..
Oxalis Burst of Spring-like Color under Cumulus Sky. 2021
I was told spectacular yellow oxalis fields were \bursting out along the coast near San Francisco. Heading south towards Half Moon Bay, \the glowing bloom was right along Highway One. People were stopped along the road, three painters with canvasses and a few people wandering with cameras edged the field. We wandered along the road and into the fields with its huge yellow surround. It looked like the flowers had grown up through just harvested brussel sprouts whose complex leaves were all still very much there.
It was a beautiful bright sunny day with cumulus clouds floating above the hills. The yellow flower’s glow seemed brighter than the clouds, almost floating above the field. I was careful with my exposure to make sure I gave the photograph all of the light I could to keep shadows open, but still careful to not overexpose the very saturated yellow. My field of view was not tall enough with my 24-105mm lens for the flowers and the clouds, so I made a vertical pano set for later assembly. A vertical stitch of two images expanded that field of view for a square image you see here.
We're offering an 11x11 inch print of the photograph for $195, matted to 16x20 inch board. This print at this price is offered through March 31. We'll be taking orders until then, and shipping them out by April 15.
NEW PHOTOGRAPH
Sky in Transition. 2021.
Canon EOS R5, RF24-105mm lens.
I noticed a darkness in the sky to the west, and it turned out to be sky-filling. Weather was clearly on the way….
LATEST NEWS:
As anti-virus recommendations continue to tell us to avoid unnecessary exposure to others, masks and social distancing remain in order, our general gallery and classroom closure continues.
Gallery Appointments
However, the latest Covid-19 restrictions that have kept the gallery mostly closed, do allow me to open for special limited viewing appointments. Write to inquire or call 650 355-7507.
With our closed gallery, I am offering a print sale reducing prices to what I would normally earn from a gallery sale, 40% off my normal prices. This sale has continued through the shutdown and has been a good contribution to my business continuing and keeping the studio. Thanks to all of you who have taken advantage of the sale and your words of appreciation on having the prints in your hands.
During the virus, I have naturally shifted most of my education programs to online experiences. This is frustrating and rewarding. The new virtual experiences are certainly stretching out my geographical reach. I am certainly excited by our new Virtual Classes Program.
My emerging 2021 Workshop Schedule is being modified to accommodate the virus shutdown and unlikely ability to gather indoors.
Some plans are being now made on the assumption that the vaccine is ever more available and will then become a prerequisite for the class.
I remain committed to offering great courses whether in person or virtually. See what a great experience students have had on my Workshops by exploring Workshop Testimonials.
February Full Moon and Cypress. 2021. Canon R5.
The early 2021 Workshop Schedule includes one of my favorites, the Fine Art Digital Printing class as a virtual lecture, multi-session follow-up April 17-18, 2021. I will also continue with my Project Sessions Lectures, the next being 50 Years of Space Photography March 24, 2021.
See what a great experience students have had on Steve's Workshops by exploring Workshop Testimonials.
Other Worldly is up in our galleries having joined the 50 Years of Space Photography Exhibit with the Life Form Exhibition. Hopefully you can visit soon by appointment, socially distanced, masked and limited to two people. I hope to be able to open the galleries to general visitation in the not too distant future so you can see what is on display at Stephen Johnson Photography.
Upcoming Events & Workshops
Beach and Surf. from California Coastal Trail. 2021. Canon R5.
THE VIEW FROM HERE
by Stephen Johnson
New Work and Aspiring to Dedication
Peregrine Falcon. 2021. Canon R5.
I ache to get back on the road. With both vaccine shots and the ERs no longer overflowing, I think next week is looking good. Of course, I am still making new work, with or without the seduction of new places.
It has always been challenging to see the nearby anew. That very challenge was at the heart of one on my first assignments when I started teaching college photography, stay within one city block of your hometown and expose a roll of film. Or, make a photographic project out of one very familiar room in your home, like the bathroom.
Projects and work accomplished measures time for me differently than simple daily life, regardless of its complications. It is something I recognized early on in me, I was deeply inclined toward a project oriented life. It’s good for my photography, but sometimes can overlook simple life wonders. Balance.
Lately, after seeing some very nice local photographs of Peregrine Falcons, I felt compelled to make my own. So I gathered up cameras and lenses to walk out to where they nest. Their cliff nest was simply too distant from the trail for even my new 600mm lens, which meant I was dramatically cropping all of my photographs. I’ve said many times that I am not a wildlife photographer, but as in so many things, I like to think I can rise to the occasion.
Consequently, I had to revisit autofocus settings and the new features in my Canon R5 camera, learning as I went.
Peregrine Falcon. Pacifica, CA. 2021. Canon R5.
Some challenges were easy to anticipate. An even longer lens would be needed. Following a bird in flight with even the 600mm was hard. Balancing my own desire for clean images (low noise) with whatever ISO/shutter speed was necessary for sharp images was again a balancing act. In sun, the new Canon R5 did well at about ISO1600, varying between 1/1000th and 1/2000th of a second.
The lens challenge had me borrow the new RF800mm from Canon, and the new 1.4x and 2x tele-extenders. We will see how that goes.
Fauna Everywhere
Although we are surrounded by our fellow creatures of this earth, sometimes as a subject matter they recede rather than fill our frames. In motion, they are harder to photograph. But these animals around us and their own life force continues to fill me with gratitude and wonder.
Peregrine Falcon Couple. 2021. Canon R5.
Female Mallard. Golden Gate Park. 2021. Canon R5.
Canada Goose in flight. Golden Gate Park. 2021. Canon R5.
Birds on Wires. California Coastal Trail. 2021. Canon R5. RF600mm F11 IS STM lens
A large flock of birds (some were red-winged blackbirds) swarm danced off the fields along the San Mateo coast. Almost as suddenly as they leaped off the field into the sky, they landed en masse on these powerlines, only to leap back into the air in a few moments. It was amazing to watch.
A Day Along the Coast
A drive down Highway One a few weeks ago brought many photographs home. I was gratified and heart warmed by the experience and the photographs.
Curious Calf. California Coastal Trail. Half Moon Bay. 2021. Canon R5.
Walking along the California Coastal Trail south of Half Moon Bay, we came across a field with cattle peacefully grazing. Some had nursing calves. Some warily moved away from the fence as we strolled past, some moved toward us. We kept pausing to explore their approach. This particular calf had been nursing, staying close to its mom. As we were passing the slowly gathering group, this calf turned toward us, making wonderful, engaging, eye contact. We stopped and returned the gaze with some gentle human words of friendship.
I couldn’t resist trying to preserve the encounter, making a number of portraits with the RF600mm lens I already had on the camera. Awkwardly, I did have to back up to focus, which was a little strange. I worried that the engagement might be broken off. But the exchange continued.
Although in the shade, the photo contained sufficient information to pull detail out of the shadows and give me the gift of preserving the visual conversation we had with this handsome young one.
White-crowned Sparrows. California Coastal Trail. 2021.
Steve on Oxalis Bloom. 2021. Photo by Holly Grant.
California Coastal Trail Access Road. 2021. Canon R5.
Sun Glare off the Pacific Ocean. 2021. Canon R5.
Wild Tree. Golden Gate Park. 2021. Canon R5.
Great Blue Herons on Nest. Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park. San Francisco, 2021. Canon R5.
Golden Gate Park
A visit to Golden Gate Park surprised me at how fast spring is coming upon us. I have to act quickly to catch the vernal breakout. Recent rain and lots of sun seems to have accelerated the season.
After much exploration of the park this past year, it is easy to think I’ve got a good idea of what’s there. That notion suggests I turn to the other visual interests I currently have. But when I go in, and wander, the park opens up once again and I see wonderful little scenes and still more landscapes worth holding.
Two quick trips this week brought more bird photographs and many blooms. There will many more over he next few weeks.
Bloom. Golden Gate Park. San Francisco. 2021. Canon R5.
Space Fascinations
The landing of the Mars Perseverance Rover was very exciting for me. I felt the pre-landing tension and worry that something would go wrong in the incredibly complex set of actions that the spacecraft has to perform. I too, breathed a sigh of relief when word came of its safe landing.
As I watched the first image come in, I did a screen capture so I could have it immediately. I could not help but do some on the fly intuitive color corrections on the first early releases.
Of course I have the freedom to guess, while NASA has to try and get the color right, and that means making a judgement about how the scene would look to our eyes if we were standing there, or other criteria.
The rover landing inspired me to offer my 50 Years of Space Photography Virtual Lecture on March 24, 2021. 6pm-8:00pm PST. Please consider joining me for this lecture..
Preliminary release. Mars Perseverance Rover. pia24430-1041.
My Color Corrected Attempt. First Preliminary release. Mars Perseverance Rover. .
Rainbowed Waves from Rockaway Headlands. Pacifica, CA. 2021.. Canon EOS R5, RF600mm.
Staying Local
The shutdown made everything local, so where I can drive to on day trips, or whatever I can find in my coastal town became my subject matter. Sunsets from the beach cliffs are a constant.
A recent Sunset Green Flash. Pacifica, CA. 2021. Canon R5.
Sun and Clouds. 2021. Canon R5.
Recent Work
Mussel Rock Panorama. 2021. Canon R5.
Coastal Walks
My normal activity during the pandemic of getting out to the ocean just half mile from my house continues. As I said last month, I often squeeze such a visit in at the end of the day, the coming sunset being the kicker to make sure I get out. I remain surprised how many of the resulting photographs have engaged me.
My normal practice is to do a Facebook post, just to get the experience out there. It has been nice to have so many people encouraging the posts, even as I remain a bit skeptical of the many sunsets I post.
Redtail Hawk. Mussel Rock. 2021 Canon R5..
Striped Sunset Behind Clouds 2021. Canon EOS R5
In the hope of bringing my mind and heart back from the threats to our country, my evening walks have again brought me a visual experience I worked to record. Although not up to the magic of what I saw, this photograph recorded my attempt to share it with you all.
Recently at Stephen Johnson Photography
Lectures and Photo Chats
My lecture program continues in with the Project Lecture 50 Years of Space Photography Virtual Lecture. Mar 24, 2021. 6pm-7:30pm PST.
I have also been doing weekly virtual Photo Chats with groups of photo friends to keep everyone encouraged to keep working, share and problem solve. Let me know if you would like to join us.
Featured Print Deal and No Gallery Print Sale
This month’s Featured Print offers another original print for $195.
Our 40% Off Sale Original Signed Prints continues. Back in April, virus income shifting and our closed gallery suggested we offer a big print sale. Thanks to those of you who have taken advantage of the offer. Prices have been reduced to what would normally be earned from a gallery sale, 40% off normal prices. This sale is planned to only last through the California shutdown while our gallery and others are closed.
Steve on Ocean Beach. San Francisco. 2020. DJI Phantom 4 drone.
Virtual Experiences
I have now added Virtual Classes and Lectures to the schedule. Critiques are now virtual. In fact, as you might imagine, most all teaching is virtual at the moment. To flush that out, here is a list of the virtual educational opportunities we are offering.
Virtual Classes and Lectures. A series of new online live classes on various topics with limited space and Q&A sessions.
50 Years of Space Photography Virtual Lecture. Mar 24, 2021. 6pm-8pm PST
Virtual Seminar: Intro to InDesign for Print on Demand Books. March 27, 2021. 9am-12 noon PST Mar 27, 2021
Masterful Fine Art Digital Printing: Virtual Workshop. 9am to 5pm PST. Saturday and Sunday April 17-18, 2021
Come Visit the Exhibitions (after the shutdown)
Check out my 50 years of Space Photography Exhibition joining with my Life Form Exhibition as Other Worldly for a mind-blowing journey from the living world close-up to the depths of space.
Although the gallery is currently closed to regular visits for the corona virus shutdown, limited visitation can be arranged by appointment when current restrictions lift.. Come see the shows when you can. Space and awesome life! A dive into cosmic extremes.
The 50 Years of Space Photography Gallery with the five extra Apollo 11 prints.
In front of the Apollo 14 Panoramic, 3rd. Graders from Ocean Shore School in Pacifica visiting the Space Exhibit. 2019. Photo by Sheila Gamble.
Class Visits
Post-virus, when school is back in classroom, we will again welcome teachers bringing their classes by, kids and college students. The kid’s reactions have been inspiring to me, both for the space exhibition and Life Form.
Workshops Coming Up
The next class is an additional offering of our Mastering Fine Art Digital Editing and Printing and has gone virtual with after-class online sessions. All workshops listed are open for enrollment now but subject to virus driven changes. We are exploring more virtual classes.
Please consider joining us on one of our upcoming workshops. Enrollment is the key to continuing to offer these classes and keep the studio running. We hope to hear from you.
I’ve always been drawn to historical photographs and maps. I’ve been collecting 19th century books, engravings and now making scans of photos and maps. Printed on just the right paper and sheen, the reproductions are often vey special in their own right. So I’ve decided to make some of these prints available as I print them and discover more.
The first few are from the San Francisco Bay Area, local to my home in Pacifica, We’ll make them both available as 8x10 ($35-$45) and 11x14 ($75-$85) with larger sizes available for quote. The Gallery of current offerings where you can place orders can be found here.
Life Form Exhibition
Life Form opened in the Main Gallery at Stephen Johnson Photography in July 2018. The show has been extended into 2021. We have had many visitors come by the gallery since the opening. Many have then joined workshops and certainly helped build community. Please come see the show after the virus. Pass the word.
Seeking Good Venues for Life Form
We are seeking good venues to show the Life Form Series. The series is now available for museum and gallery exhibition.
Life Form Announcement. 2018
Don't forget to Check out our next workshops
Next Virtual Workshop
Next Virtual Lecture
The Studio, Scholarships, Mentoring and Tutorials
As part of our ongoing commitment to photographic education, there is one student scholarship spot in many of our classes. Please pass the word along.
For discounted time studying with Steve, keep in mind our Mentoring Program.
With all of our busy schedules and limited budgets, destination workshops or classes become a challenge, but many of you still have questions you need answered, or feedback on some new work. We want to remind you of our Virtual Online Consulting Program. This service allows all of you out there around the globe to consult online live with Steve on technical, aesthetic and workflow issues using Skype and your webcam.
Our Essays and Tutorials from the past couple of years can now be found on our Newsletter Archive and some on my neglected Blog.
We hope you can come by the gallery after the virus and see the original prints in the new Life Form Gallery and its new Life Form Portfolio, the Exquisite Earth exhibition with its accompanying very special Exquisite Earth Portfolio 1. We invite you to join us on a workshop, rent lab space, or just say hello and let us know what you are up to photographically and what you might like to see us offer. We value your input.
Print Mentor Program
Many of my mentoring students have wanted help with their printing, often to make sure they can produce a specific print. Consequently, I am starting a Print Mentoring Program that sets up a 2 hour time slot and the production of a finished print, all with the tutorial video of how we did it together. Prints can be up to 16x20 and on either Hahnemühle Museum Etching or Photo Rag Pearl paper. Fee is $500. Email for more information and to set up times.
Free and For Sale
Free Stuff (a few items still left)
I have been printing out nice copies of the Constitution and Bill of Rights on rich cotton paper. You are welcome to a copy when you can come by the gallery.
Additionally, I rescued a few Beseler Enlargers, a 23c and 4x5, hoping to find good homes for them. Make an offer.
Equipment for Sale
None at this time.
New Space Photography Products
Apollo 11 Collectors Portfolio
A suite of photographs from Apollo 11. 12 pigment inkjet prints on letter-sized paper selected, edited and printed by photographer Stephen Johnson, in a portfolio box. The set includes a Mission Summary book, original US Postal Stamp commemorating the Mission, the Mission patch and a schematic of the Lunar Module. $250
Apollo 11 Collectors Portfolio examples.
50 Years of Space Photography Exhibition Catalog
The Exhibtion catalog featuring photograhs from Planetary probes, the Hublle Space Telescope, Lunar explorations, the Apollo program and Space Shuttle/Space Station images. Includes an exploration of the imaging technologies emplyed by the spacecraft.
68 pages, 8.5x11 inches
Other Worldly Exhibition Catalog.
Apollo 11 Photography Book
A 96 page 8.5x11 inch collection of Apollo 11 photographs from launch to recovery including contact sheets for every surface Hasselblad photograph.
It’s the collection I wish I could have bought, so I made it.
-96 pages
-7 sections, Lunar Photo Equipment, Preparation, On the Way, Lunar Orbit, Tranquility Base, Heading Home, Relics
-Film Magazine proofs
Life Form Folio
The Life Form Folio
When we premiered the Life Form Exhibition, I wanted to have a collectible item and record of the show prior to the full book I plan. So, now available is the 36 page 11x17 wire bound book, 5 years of work from 2013 to 2018 exploring these magnificent lives.
Photographs from 2013-2018
36 pages
11x17 wire-bound book
$40
Exquisite Earth Exhibition Catalog
Page 41
page 13
The Exquisite Earth Exhibition Catalog
As I've been on a roll on fixing bodies of work into POD books, I decided before the Exquisite Earth show could come down for new upcoming show, I wanted to create a printed record. So, now available is the 56 page 11x17 wire bound book, 5 years of work from 2005 to 2010 traveling this wondrous planet.
Photographs from 2005-2010
56 pages
11x17 wire-bound book
$40
Pacifica Book
A collection of photographs in and around Pacifica California. Include a trail map.
74 pages
11x17 wire-bound book for full lay-flat opening and enjoyment
Pacifica Trail Map
32 years in Pacifica
10 years of calendars
$50
Page 7
Page 27
Pacifica Trail Map by Pease Maps special to the Pacifica Land Trust.
11" x 17" folded
$10 (free shipping) proceeds go the Pacifica Land Trust a non-profit 501c3.
Gift Certificates for Prints and Workshops!
Emailed or shipped with beautiful gift note card.
Life Form Note cards
5x7 inches (sold-out, on backorder)
$25
12 image Note card set with envelopes featuring photographs from Steve's new Life Form work.
Printed by Steve in his studio in very limited numbers on a color laser digital press
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After a few years of working intensely on my Urban Eden Golden Gate Park project, I am excited to offer a two-day photographic workshop in this complex and beautiful landscape. Now 150 years old, this park symbolizes parkland engineering and the earth itself taking its own course of life and fecundity. The park will be explored over two days with a blend of photographic opportunity, assistance, and my growing knowledge of its own back woods. This springtime weekday workshop will avoid some of the weekend crowds.