Rodney Johnson's photostream

Hello! I'm a software engineer turned photographer, with a passion for international travel and cultural exploration and anthropology. :)

My websites:

www.lightstalkers.org/RodneyJohnson
www.BeyondExposures.com


Latest News:

I have decided to move to Jakarta, Indonesia, in January 2007, to pursue photography. I've made this decision because I simply cannot pursue the type of photography I love in the USA. My photographic work does not really fall into specific genre; perhaps "reportage" or "cultural street" photography comes close to describing what interests me. It is my goal to ultimately do this type of photography full time. :)


How I like to shoot:

I typically shoot street photography with just my 20D and 24mm f/2.8 prime lens (which makes for a discrete combination). I choose the 24mm as it is extremely sharp with great color and contrast, and it gives a frame of view close to what would be 35mm on a full frame camera.

Recently, I've begun to use my 17-40mm L for daytime street photography, saving the prime lenses for low light situations. I find I am really loving my 17-40mm more, but using primes for street photography does 'simplify' shooting (one less thing to think about). I thus find I use the 17-40 similar to a prime: presetting it to 24mm (a focal length I know very well) and only zooming when I need to: I use my legs to walk back and forth, as if I was shooting with a fixed lens. :)

My Domke bag holds the 20D and any one of my lenses, making that bag perfect for a discrete look during street photography. When I use the 17-40mm, I find I have plenty of room in the Domke for my 20D with 17-40 attached (and lens hood attached and NOT reversed). If I had to, I could also carry a 24mm or 35mm fixed lens, if I reverse the lens hood on the 17-40mm. :)

My ultimate desire is to save up for a Canon EOS 5D, and then use my 35mm f/2.0 (I love the view of 35mm on a full frame camera). :)

My Current Equipment:

Canon EOS 20D
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8
Canon EF 35mm f/2.0
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

Bags:
Domke F-5XB (for street photography)
Crumpler "Love 15" bag (a little bigger than the Domke w/hidden compartment in the bottom)
Crumpler "5th Avenue" bag (holds 3-4 lens and 580 speedlight, and also has hidden compartment in bottom)
Lowe Pro Mini Trekker (for when I want to carry everything and manfrotto tripod--yuck)