Stephen Johnson Photography News
October 2020
Banded Bloom Portea Petropolitana. Shelldance Orchid Gardens. Pacifica, CA. 2020. Canon 5DSr.
Prelude: Stay well, I hope you can use your love of photography to inspire your days.
PLEASE Register and vote.
Upcoming Workshop:
Flora and Form: from Orchid Gardens to Virtual Digital Lab
November 19 - 21, 2020
No Gallery Print Sale
40% off all prints during shutdown
Welcome to the October 2020 Edition of the Stephen Johnson Photography Newsletter.
My shelter-in-place look, just before a haircut.
The virus drags on, as my love of imaging continues to help sustain my art. Business futures remain in doubt at the very time when the culture is in ever greater need of art and inspiration. There is no doubt we are living in interesting times.
— Steve
This month's View From Here column explores the Making, Taking, Capturing, Being Witness aspects of photography. Our new Virtual Classes are continuing to broaden with new offerings including my new Projects Lecture Series starting with At Mono Lake. 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 all postponed, or moving to virtual where possible. All workshops currently scheduled are subject to necessary corona virus spread prevention date changes.
FEATURED PRINT October 2020
San Francisco under Martian Skies. 2020.
Canon EOS R5. EF 24-105mm
The wildfires gave us Martian colored skies. It was like moving though another world.
We're offering a 9.5x14 inch print of the photograph for $195, matted to 16x20 inch board. This print at this price is offered through October 31. We'll be taking orders until then, and shipping them out by November 15.
NEW PHOTOGRAPH from the Archives
Grand Canyon and Colorado River from Desert View. 1997. Betterlight Scanning Back.
Grand Canyon from Desert View. 1997.
Betterlight 4x5 Scanning Back.
One of my favorite photographs from “With a New Eye: The Digital National Parks Project.” It was one of the first of the Scanning Back photographs that I took a 50 inch print.
LATEST NEWS:
As the response to the virus continues to tell us to avoid unnecessary exposure to others, masks and social distancing are in order, our general gallery closure continues.
However, we are now making appointments to show the galleries with a two person limit, masks and an understanding that my own social separation will be maintined.
With our shutdown closed gallery, I launched 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 the keeping the studio. Thanks to all of you who taken advantage the sale and your words of appreciation on having the prints in your hands.
Life From Opening. 2019.
Naturally I am shifting 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 late 2020 and emerging 2021 Workshop Schedule has been modified to accommodate the virus shutdown and unlikely ability to gather even later in the year. 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.
The late 2020 Workshop Schedule includes one of my favorites, the second session of my virtual Flora and Form class November 19-21. We are doing a socially distanced/masked field trip and online instruction. I’m continuing virtual lectures as well, the next being the first of the The Project Sessions starting with the At Mono Lake Exhibition on October 21, 2020. 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 new Space Exhibit with the Life Form Exhibition. You can visit by socially distanced, masked appointment limited to two people. I hope to be able to open the galleries to the general visitation in the not too distant future so you can see what is on display at Stephen Johnson Photography.
Upcoming Events & Workshops
San Pedro Rock. Point San Pedro, Pacifica, CA. 2015. Overlooked Stitched Panoramic from Canon EOS 5D Mark III.
THE VIEW FROM HERE
by Stephen Johnson
Making, Taking, Capturing, Being Witness
Castle Butte. Valley of the Gods. Utah. (with Liz Haenel) 1977.
120mm black and white film.
In 2017, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation that reduced the area of Bears Ears National Monument, proclaimed by President Barack Obama in December 2016, with new monument boundaries that exclude the Valley of the Gods. The area remains protected public land administered as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, as it was before the monument designation. source: Wikipedia.
Being out in the world, engaged in seeing, breathing, taking in the light and weather, those experiences are the core of my photographic soul. That I have in mind trying to share those visual experiences is a bit like trying to tell a story accurately, with veracity and conviction. It is not about being merely witness, but about being engaged in noticing, engaged in seeing the nuance, the subtle, the easy to miss complexities, and elegant simplicities of this Earth. It is about being excited to see and notice.
I have tried to bear witness to the wonder that I see, always believing that task to be quite substantial on its own. That bearing witness seems particularly important in an age where the disconnect from the Earth and consequences of our actions is so pervasive.
Photography has obsessed over pictures of ourselves, our constructs, our struggles and our history. We are very self interested. And in some ways I suppose, for all of our complexity, we are easier to understand than the enormously complex life-earth we've been given. It is easy to look into the world superficially and see an apparently endless collection of things, more rocks and grains of sand than we can ever imagine–more complex interplay than we can witness or comprehend. It is probably easier to photograph human interaction, the few rather than the millions, argument and embrace, curiosity and disturbance. We also understand these things better, they are us. Even as it moves our hearts, Earth's grandeur is somewhat beyond us even as we are born of it. The closest thing we may know to the grandeur is our emotional reaction to the embrace of our child or lover.
We humans tend to want to sum things up, minimize loose ends, come up with universal theories about how things work and fit. Perhaps our photography has similar aspirations. But photographs are but a moment, the field of view fixed in the Image, the frame limited, and more often than not, are two dimensional representations of our 3D world of human vision. In many ways photography is very reductive, only a slice of a moment, flat, and devoid of all human input but light, imitating our vision. That is photography's challenge and opportunity.
Most of our imaging uses light, and although we have become very clever about ways of acquiring that energy, light built-up through long exposure, assembled multiple images, even energy beyond the visual spectrum (UV, IR), we are still seeking what we can make visual. Still true, whether we are pointing the camera back at us, or outward. But light is not heart, it is when the scene truly touches our heart that we need to pay attention.
In looking back at my photographs over the years, friends, family and heroes have ressonance, the landscapes that matter are far fewer. Generaly, the landscapes are not strong, the gems among them may represent the best of my aspirations at the time, but as I was learning, the truly unique and moving images are far between. Whereas the people pictures have meaning because of who they are, family and friends, loves and those long gone. They don't even have to be that good to be precious. But they are often treasures.
The casually seen landscapes, although scenes I loved, more rarely hold the magic of the place or the treasure of the moment. My work started to grow when I got better at holding some of that magic, when the magic of what I felt being there somehow got imbued into the photograph. I found great satisfaction when the light I saw clearly became the reason for the photograph. This became particularly true with light-filled pastel color.
There doesn't seem to be any formula for photographic success. The process seems often to be fascination with the moment, careful seeing, and now in the digital age, critical evaluation of the recorded image. It also remains being cognizant that the camera's only subject matter is light. But fundamentally, I remain convinced it is in the feeling, the heart connection to what we see that allows and inspires us to make photographs we care about and that can move others.
In my best moments I record the light I see with sensitivity, grace and insight. The wonder of being alive on the earth comes alive. Most times I photograph because of the love of being there, engaged in being in outdoor Earth, largely disengaged from human creation. The experience on its own is of great value, but doesn't necessarily make great photographs. That is another somewhat intangible addition to the experience.
I am using the word photograph in a slightly haughty way, trying to imbue it with a seriousness my mere pictures don’t have. But photography is a playful hobby for me as well as a serious art endeavor. I would feel severely constrained if I didn’t still feel the pleasure of just messing around, playing with imagery, from snapshot to selfies.
Ralph Putzker. Birdsprings, AZ. 1978. 35mm Kodak Ektachrome.
My First Summer of Photography. Lake Yosemite. Merced, CA. 1974. 35mm Kodak Ektachrome.
Recent Work
Smokey skies has been the subject matter of much of my work recently, more than any other single subject. The beauty and disturbance of the views make for a very strange relationship to our skies.
Early Sun. Going into the Studio. 2020. Canon 5DSr.
New Prints from Flora Class
Three New Print Composite. 2020. Canon EOS 5DSr.
Three New Finished Prints in a Day!
Only had one easel, so I made this three image composite.
My photographs from September 25th’s Flora and Form class field trip seemed promising, so I took three all the way through to prints the next day with my Canon Pro-1000 pigment printer.
Flora and Form Workshop
Our experiment in our Flora and Form socially distanced/masked in-person workshop worked out very well. The Shelldance Nursery lends itself to having your own big surround of space, each with out own greenhouse, and great places to meet outside. The virtual intro and follow-up had also worked well so we will do another session on November 19, 2020.
Fountain. Shelldance Orchid Gardens. 2020. Canon 5DSr.
Fountain Waterdrop. Shelldance Orchid Gardens. 2020. Canon 5DSr.
Recently at Stephen Johnson Photography
Small Wonders
Smokey Sun and Surf. 2020.
Seeing Local
As I gear up for some careful “contact only the land” road trips, I have been naturally concentrating my looking on what surrounds my daily life.
The cliffs and sea, the fog, the dew on spiderwebs, and smokey skies, these have been my subjects for months. I am pleased that my interest in looking and seeing has not diminished. I continue to feel privileged to walk this planet with eyes alert and camera in hand.
Dew Dappled Spiderweb. Pacifica, CA. 2020.
No Gallery Print Sale
40% Off Original Signed Prints. 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.
Virtual Experiences
I have now added Virtual Classes and Lectures to the schedule. Critiques are now virtual. In fact, as you might imagine, 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.
Raw Processing: Virtual Lecture. 6- 7:30pm. Wednesday October 14, 2020
Virtual Critiques. show or observe.
Thursday, October 15, 2020. 5:00 PM 7:30 PM
On the Dunes. Ocean Beach. San Francisco. 2020 Photo by Holly Grant.
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. 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 our Mastering Fine Art Digital Editing and Printing which is going virtual with an after-class online sessions. We are working on ways to conduct he popular Flora and Form Workshop by reducing the total enrollment to 4 students in the nursery and substituting our lab time with a virtual session. All are open for enrollment now but subject to virus driven changes. We are exploring some 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 2020. 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. 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 Studio Workshop
Next Field Workshop
San Gregorio Valley. Highway One Workshop..
The Studio, Scholarships and Mentoring
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 Google Blogger.
We hope you can come by the gallery 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 if you 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
National Park Note cards
National Park Color Note Card Set
Stephen Johnson
12 cards/envelopes $20 set
From "With a New Eye" Beautiful 300 line screen offset reproductions with envelopes in clear box. A great gift.
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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.