Author
My name is Jason R. Johnston and I am in charge of the television promotions department for a local FOX affiliate where I serve as a video editor, camera operator, director, animator, writer and voice-over talent.
I am the sole proprietor of a photography company that bears my namesake (alt). I have been in the professional multimedia business since 1996 when I made the transition from amateur to freelance photographer. Since then I have made a career out of capturing moments with a camera and also producing commercial television entertainment.
I live in San Juan, TX which is just north of the US-Mexico border and sits comfortably near the Gulf of Mexico. I have a pet cat named Cat who has gradually devolved into an outdoor animal. He was almost as proud as I was when I photographed his first avian kill.
My hobbies include freelance photography, playing the piano, writing songs, developing scripts and an active pursuit of independent filmmaking, animation and motion picture visual effects.
Photography
I was a photographer for the high school newspaper during my junior and senior years. I began my career as a freelancer with the purchase of my first camera: a Canon EOS Rebel XS 35mm kit including a Canon EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 III lens. I later purchased a Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III telephoto lens and Canon 380EX TTL-enabled speedlite.
Ten years and four cameras later, I’ve stayed true to Canon; having progressed from film to digital, from consumer to professional. I’ve also ventured into off-camera lighting and dove into event photography to fund more artistic and adventurous exploits.
These days find me doing more commercial work, more event coverage, more weddings, more portraits. Most of my work comes via word-of-mouth. Since I started asking myself “would I do business with me?” I’ve done alright.
My current gear features Canon EOS 40D, 20D digital bodies, L lenses ranging from 17mm to 200mm, with the fastest primes opening up to f/1.4. All my Canon lenses posses USM technology and most are designated L and are either highly weather resistant or absolutely weather proof. I also use specialty lenses such as the BelOMO Peleng 8mm fisheye and Lensbaby f/2.0. I occasionally play with a Canon EOS 1v professional 35mm body and a sometimes will do photo artwork with a Mamiya 645 Super medium format system. I also carry a Canon SD1100 IS with me wherever I go.
I’ve lately considered purchasing a Canon tilt shift lens to complement the EOS line, as well as a cheap Holga 120 rangefinder to play with.
Links
Much more information about myself can be found on Wikipedia. I’ve been authoring short stories and poetry which can be read here. My photography can be found on Flickr and I have a collection of original music compositions at MP3.com. Like everyone else in the universe, I have Myspace and Facebook accounts, as well as videos posted on YouTube which anyone can freely enjoy.
Things You Don’t Need to Know About Me
Favorite Color: Midnight Blue
Favorite Number: Nine
Favorite Word: Autumn
Favorite Snack: Chocolate Pudding
Favorite Drink: Sweetened Instant Tea
Favorite Band (other than Led Zeppelin): Coldplay
Favorite Led Zeppelin Song: “Kashmir”
Favorite Coldplay Song: “Everything’s Not Lost”
Favorite Bob Marley Song: “Three Little Birds”
Favorite Jimi Hendrix Song: “Red House”
Favorite Composer (Classical): Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Favorite Composer (Motion Pictures): Jerry Goldsmith
Favorite Composer (Television): Bear McCreary
Favorite Website: Homestar Runner
Favorite TV Show: “Battlestar Galactica”
Favorite Episode: Unfinished Business
Second Favorite TV Show: “House”
Favorite Episode: Three Stories
Third Favorite TV Show: “Deep Space Nine”
Favorite Episode: In The Pale Moonlight
Favorite SNL era (besides original): Seasons 12 (1986) through 20 (1995)
Favorite SNL episode: 349 (19.3), October 9, 1993 with Jeff Goldblum and Aerosmith
Wants to photograph Mindy Paige Davis in the worst way.
Has a crush on Mary Lynn Rajskub and Catherine Bell.
Favorite Actors: Gene Hackman, Colm Meaney, Conchata Ferrell, Harrison Ford, Ben Foster
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