Workshops and Educational Photo Tours

Don Johnston is an experienced teacher, photographer and naturalist with 30 years experience as a teacher and over 20 years experience as an outdoor photographer. Don offers friendly, intensive and informative photo workshops and educational photo tours here in Northern Ontario and the Greater Sudbury Region. Please read the descriptions below for more information.

Please be prepared to forward a 50% deposit to guarantee your place. In the event of tour cancellation, deposits will be refunded.

1. Winter Animals:  Animals of Montana Tour: Postponed Until 2012

An unfortunate licensing issue at Animals of Montana has prevented this tour from going forward this winter, but I expect it to be offered in the winter of 2012.

Overview: Take the opportunity to photograph cooperative and well trained predators, big and small in their very best physical conditions, together with experienced and imaginative animal trainers and tour guides- all set in the pristine Montana mountain winter environment. This winter wildlife tour will feature at least four animals per day in unique, natural settings for three days,  along with a weather day or optional fourth day. Animals such as cougar, wolf, lynx, grizzly and bobcat together with snow leopard, Siberian tiger and lynx will pose and behave for your camera. Join Don- an experienced Canadian wildlife and nature pro photographer  in a small group setting to learn, share and experience winter animal photography at its best.  This tour is suitable for all levels of wildlife photography experience, amateur and professional alike.

Don is an Animals of Montana veteran with over twenty five years experience as an outdoor photographer and thirty years experience as a teacher and naturalist. He has been widely published in calendars, magazines and other media.  To see example of his A of M photography, visit the three galleries featuring Animals of Montana in the Recent Work gallery section.

Cost for this fantastic photo experience is only 1195.00 per person. Lodging, transportation and meals are extra. Details below.

To register and reserve a place, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Tracy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit their website www.animalsofmontana.com

• Date: Feb  2012

• Place: Animals of Montana near Bozeman. Shooting locales nearby.

• Cost: 1195.00/person-Lodging,meals and transportation extra.

Format: 3 days plus a weather day/optional fourth shooting day. We'll photograph at least four wildlife models per day. Group size will be a maximum of 8-10 plus the tour leader. Instruction  during sessions and after hours will be available .

2. Killarney in the Fall

Overview: Red rocks, colourful foliage, blue water. Killarney Provincial Park and surrounding areas is outstanding in all seasons, especially autumn. Join us for a photographic feast in one of Ontario’s finest Provincial parks.

Cost: $225.00 tuition only. Limit 8. Minimum 3.

Dates: Oct 2-3 2010, Friday evening get acquainted Oct. 1

Accommodation: Choice of camping in the park (reservations rccommended) , bed and breakfast or lodge in Killarney. Participants should have a vehicle or make arrangements to share a vehicle.

3. Manitoulin Island in Spring

Overview: Spring flowers, animals, fresh spring colours, waterfalls, alvars, woodlands and rural landscapes. All within easy drives and walks.

Cost: $295.00 includes tuition. Accommodation, transfers extra. Limit 8. Minimum 3.

Dates: May 22-24 2010. Friday evening get acquainted May 21.

4. Lively Nature Photography workshop for beginners and intermediate

Learn the essentials of nature photography in an intensive day and a half format through a combination of 'classroom' lectures and in-field instruction. We have seventy acres with a variety of accessible wetland and meadow habitats. There will be an emphasis on digital photography and field techniques. Downloading and critiques if there is time.

Cost: $149.00.  Limit 10. Minimum 4.

Dates: June 11 (evening)-12 all day till 4:00 p.m. or so

Place: 388 Kantola, Lively

Accommodation: Choice of camping, bed and breakfast or motel in Lively (near Sudbury).

5. Understanding your new Digital SLR

Now that you have made the step and purchased that digital slr and lens, you are left wondering how to get the best out of your new camera.

Join Don for a one-day seminar on SLR photography- aimed at the beginner and those who would like to learn more about these cameras.

Overview: Some topics we will cover include: setting up the camera using its menus, settings to use and avoid, formatting memory cards, using the review screen to best advantage, and software options for downloading and optimizing your pictures.

Cost: $119.00. Limit 10. Minimum 4.

Dates: Flexible. Get a group together, decide upon a date range and contact me. Likely I will be available on short notice.