With a background in engineering, Craig Johnson praises the precision that photography allows him—from mastering elements like lighting, composition and color, to manipulating those components in order to create a final image that’s vastly different than what the naked eye originally sees. In addition to Johnson’s sharp prints, he mats, frames, and assists other photographers in digitalizing their work to enter shows. He’s also produced several travel books and catalogs of local art shows. Each year, you can view Johnson’s work at the Art Studio Trek and the Autumn Art Studios Tour. 

HLB: How does a technical background translate into art? 

CJ: I was, and am, an engineer at heart. Engineers have to plan ahead, pre-visualize, anticipate and design—skills that go into my photography, both technically and artistically. 

HLB: How did you get your start in photography? 

CJ: I enjoyed taking snapshots early in high school; when my parents bought me a nicer camera, I got more serious about photography. Over the years, I’ve taken some courses and attended seminars and workshops, but mostly, I’m self-taught.

HLB: What inspires you to pick up your camera? 

CJ: I feel that the scene beckons me. Maybe it reminds me of something I had pre-visualized; maybe it’s the play of light on the subject, or the balance of colors. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t.

HLB: What are some of the things you look for in a great shot? 

CJ: I’m always aware of the colors, the light and the mystery of the scene. It’s more of a feeling than anything. Sometimes the scene is what I think I can manipulate later in Photoshop to be something totally different than what you see through the viewfinder. I take a lot of bad photographs that go nowhere, but usually get a good feeling when I’m taking a great one.

HLB: As a photographer, what’s great about this area? 

CJ: Granite Bay—and the whole Sacramento area—has a wealth of natural scenery; some of my favorite photographs have been shot here.

HLB: You used to work with traditional film—do you miss it? 

CJ: I built and used to have a darkroom, where I developed film and made black and white prints. I was able to totally focus on developing the image into a photograph in solitude and isolation. I got a lot of pleasure from that experience, but technology changes. I can do things in my “dry” darkroom that I couldn’t in my wet darkroom. More importantly, my processing can be done on the spur of the moment where a darkroom would take all day. I also do more work in color now.  

HLB: Any advice for beginners? 

CJ: Don’t give up your day job. Art is wonderful and I enjoy it immensely, but very few people make serious money at it. It’s strange to me how much people will spend on a single meal for a single evening of pleasure but hesitate to spend that much on a single piece of art—art that would bring them pleasure for a lifetime.

By Heather L. Becker // Artist photo by Dante Fontana. Artwork images courtesy of Craig Johnson.