Salamanders and rainbows over sublime landscapes were among the celebrated natural wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during a five-day photography program this summer, said 91短视频 Visual and Communication Arts Professor Steven David Johnson.
Johnson, who at 91短视频 started one of the few full-semester conservation photography courses offered to undergraduates in the United States, provided instruction in terrestrial and underwater macro photography during the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) High School Scholarship Program. The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont in Tennessee hosted the group.
In the program, 10 high school students practiced their skills while exploring the natural history of the park, which Johnson said is 鈥渙ne of the amphibian capitals of the world, particularly when it comes to salamander biodiversity,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was fantastic. I had a great time.鈥�
Submit your images to apply for a scholarship to study visual arts and digital media at 91短视频.
An affiliate member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, Johnson has taught at 91短视频 since 2005. His nature photography has been featured by Orion, BBC Focus Magazine, National Geographic Kids Books, National Science Teachers Association Press books, and numerous conservation journals, among them the publications of Wild Virginia and Virginia Wilderness Committee.
This was the first time Johnson was involved in the . A member of the NANPA conservation committee, he presented at the 2015 and 2017 NANPA Summits and in a July webinar titled 鈥淛ust Below the Surface.鈥�
During the week Johnson and his co-instructors were joined on various days by additional NANPA professionals and resource people, including a bear expert. The group visited natural features such as the Cades Cove area, learned about regional biodiversity and biology from researchers, and received instruction and inspiration from professional photographers.
Some of the students had already traveled the world while others were more backyard based, but what impressed Johnson about all of them was their motivation, he said: 鈥淭hey were really passionate about photography.鈥�
Nature provided spontaneous opportunities to practice the craft, for example when a storm moved over the landscape with rainbows, lightning, 鈥渨ild mist鈥� and dark clouds.
鈥淚t was a sublime experience,鈥� Johnson said.
At the conclusion of the week, students presented a photo story based on the surrounding ecosystem. [View program output from years , and .]
Program alumni have gone on to win numerous awards including from National Geographic and the Smithsonian and to become professional photographers for the West Virginia Department of Commerce and the Seattle Times, among other positions.
Scholarship program sponsors included the Illinois-based NANPA Foundation, the conservationist fStop Foundation, Canon and Hunt鈥檚 Photo and Video.
In 2017 91短视频 senior Macson McGuigan was one of NANPA鈥檚 12 College Scholars. He joined other collegiate recipients in producing a film for the North Florida Land Trust.
Read more about Steven D. Johnson:
- Conservation photographer and 91短视频 professor Steven David Johnson opens 鈥榁ernal Pools鈥� exhibit
- Photography class photos helped efforts to block Atlantic Coast Pipeline on sensitive sections of national forestland
- Conservation photographer and professor Steven David Johnson advocates for environment
- Students鈥� dramatic photos help focus attention on wilderness conservation in Virginia
- Johnson鈥檚 colloquium highlights Oregon wildlife, land
This is an outstanding program for high school students who have a passion for the natural environment and photography. Steven did a great job sharing his enthusiasm for aquatic life, and yes, the Great Smoky Mountains is one of the most diverse places in all of the world. I highly recommend this North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) program for high school students. Go to to learn more about applying for future programs.