About Doug
Doug Johnson is a highly respected professional photographer and educator, always sharing the art of photography with his students and colleagues. He has conducted over 150 workshops in some of our world’s most beautiful locations: in the flower fields of Namaqualand, South Africa, the vibrant city of Havana, Cuba, and our country’s world-class national parks.
For more than twenty years, Doug has educated hundreds of students from around the world in the technical and aesthetics of photography through Rocky Mountain School of Photography programs and workshops.
He has taught alongside some of the most respected educators in the field including Alison Shaw and Freeman Patterson, as well as good friends Neil Chaput de Saintonge, Eileen Rafferty, Elizabeth Stone, Tony Rizutto, and Tim Cooper. He believes education and truth are the “means to the end” and that good old-fashioned love, peace, and fun are the vehicles we use to navigate through our journey.
Doug’s lifelong passion for teaching the technical and aesthetics of photography is reflected in the long-term relationships he shares with his students and peers.
“This was an amazing adventure and learning experience. Doug is fun, funny, very attentive, extremely patient and has an infectious laugh! I learned so much and was pushed beyond my comfort zone.”
Participant Testimonials
“This workshop was the finest I have ever attended. Doug’s depth of knowledge and ease with which he imparts this, is remarkable. His critiques have fundamentally changed my post processing strategy and my pictures have substantially improved because of it. Even though I consider myself to be fairly well versed in camera usage, I still learned another layer of expertise. Just go – you’ll love it!”
“The whole week was exceptional in every way! Shooting stunning landscapes, learning how to do it even better and meeting great people - perfect!”
“Doug is a great teacher and photography mentor. He spends teaching time with each workshop member and his lectures focus on instruction and safety procedures for a great experience. His knowledge base is amazing and so is his personality. By the end of his workshops, one feels educated, inspired to learn more and filled with joy from all the laugher and banter. ”
“Doug is a special teacher with a desire to share his knowledge with fellow photographers - he makes everyone in his workshop feel special and has a lot of patience. Doug is very clear in his instruction, but also is very inspirational and offers an artist’s and philosopher’s view of photography. I have taken a number of workshops from Doug and am never disappointed!”
“Doug is an awesome Photo and Life Guru, for anyone who wants to achieve the next level with photography - whether you are new amateur or professional, Doug is the man for you. For the last 10 years, I have chased Doug from North Carolina to the Mexican Border to the Canadian Border. My only hope is I can chase him for the next 10 years! Thanks, Doug, for the inspiration and challenge you bring to every class.”
“Doug is a terrific instructor for all skill levels. His enthusiasm really made the course enjoyable and beneficial. I really appreciated his critiques being tailored to the individual, not just a one-size-fits-all approach.”
“Doug’s personality makes the workshop enjoyable for all. Whether in the field or at the daily critique, I always come away with new knowledge and ideas. Looking forward to the next workshop with DJP!
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“Truly a once in a life time experience. Exhilarating Jeep rides at “dark o’clock” take you to the most gorgeous mountain basins filled with more wildflowers than one could ever imagine. Great group community. Couldn’t ask for a better experience!”
“Doug is a great instructor. His humor and great knowledge are fabulous! A patient teacher that adds a fun learning environment.”
“This was a class not to be missed! Doug is a great instructor. He possesses a vast knowledge of all aspects of photography and is able to reach students of all abilities. He has a great sense of humor and the whole experience is just great fun. Thanks!!”
“Having taken in-person classes with Doug in the past, I was pleasantly surprised at how consistent this on-line class was with my past, excellent experiences. I have been shooting a lot during the pandemic, but felt I needed some inspiration and new ways to think creatively. Not only was this a great class - a reminder of things I knew along with great additions of ways to look at composition - but also, it was a fun community experience that I looked forward to each week. Overall, I feel that working with Doug over the years has advanced my photography - and this class was no different.”
“Doug’s online class was a wonderful outlet especially during this time of being stuck inside. I have done several of Doug’s field courses and he is the exact same great, helpful, supportive person that he is in the field. He takes people where they are, finds something to like about every picture they take but also challenges you to do more and try different things. Definitely something I looked forward to every week! ”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the class. The assignments were very motivating. Doug’s critiques were excellent and very thought provoking. I took this class to learn and to get some motivation to get out and shoot. It worked on both accounts. Doug is an excellent instructor. ”
“Doug is like my Optometrist. He helps me see better. My view of the beautiful world around me is enhanced as my photographic vision is enhanced. Thanks, Doug!”
