Botanical Dreaming
Using Photoshop, your camera, and your heart to create inspiring images
“Craft, Vision, Inspiration – Mark Johnson’s book, Botanical Dreaming, guides the reader on a journey of creative thinking, photographic insights, and valuable Photoshop tutorials with a well-written text and a variety of beautiful images.”
Katrin Eismann
Artist, Author, and Educator
Showcasing more than 100 one-of-a-kind flower portraits, Botanical Dreaming is a coffee-table book, a photo seminar, and a self-help book all rolled into one!
Photographer and Photoshop instructor Mark S. Johnson seeks to awaken the creativity inside all of us. Through his optimism and life view, Mark shares his belief that art must come from the heart. In sharing his in-depth knowledge of photography and his Photoshop artistry, he shows how you too can capture close-up images of flowers and turn them into masterpieces.
Mark uses easy-to-follow text and stunning imagery to take you on an inspiring journey through the world of macro flower photography. Photographers and Photoshop users of all levels are sure to experience a creative harvest from Botanical Dreaming.
Let Mark be your guide through the creative process – before, during, and after you’ve clicked the shutter. In Part One, Mark opens his heart to share his optimistic perspective on life and how it influences his creative process. In Part Two, he reveals his secrets for using a macro lens and natural light to capture eye-catching flower images. Part Three explores the endless possibilities of Photoshop to turn ordinary photos into works of art. The tips and techniques that Mark covers here transcend any particular version of Adobe Photoshop and dip gracefully into the well of classic imagemaking.
A synergy of philosophy, photography, and Photoshop, Botanical Dreaming will inspire you to make masterpieces of your own. It is destined to become an indispensable volume in every photographer’s library.
“Botanical Dreaming is a powerful testament to the healing and inspiring spirit of Mark’s soulful work as an artist and teacher. Stunningly beautiful photography and a wealth of inspiring photographic and Photoshop techniques are just the icing on the cake.”
Craig Tanner
Radiant Vista, Co-Founder
“Joseph Joubert once wrote, ‘He who has imagination without learning has wings but no feet.’ Through his explorations of the art and craft of photography, Mark Johnson supplies readers with both inspiration to sprout wings and fundamental techniques to provide sound footing. Using beautiful imagery and insightful observations, Mark invites us to grow on our creative paths – to get out onto the dance floor of life and celebrate the glory of flowers.”
Nancy Rotenberg
Photographer, Author, and Educator
Books ship via USPS Media Mail, with delivery times of approximately 2 weeks in the United States and 3 weeks overseas. Expedited USPS Priority Mail shipping is also available.
Praise for Botanical Dreaming
“Botanical Dreaming is one of the most inspiring books on photography that I have seen. Until now, my favorite teacher and inspirer was Freeman Patterson. His books are my “bible” and there was no other author that even came close to his teachings…until I received your book! Thank you so much!”
Jana Vanourkova
Czech Republic
“I just have to express my complete joy in receiving your Botanical Dreaming book in the mail yesterday! Almost a year ago, my passion for photography helped me make a life-changing decision…to give up 25+ years in a corporate retail environment, and pursue photography full-time! The actual life-changing moment happened for me during Neil Chaput’s “Wildlife Up Close” workshop as an incredible Siberian Tiger emerged through the beautiful, foliage-filled woods of Montana. It brought me to tears. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. And your book has now become an essential part of my on-going personal transformation. For me, learning to take the time for quiet, peaceful moments is a challenge. Having your book to look at, read, and absorb, has been wonderful. Thank you for your beautiful work and inspirational talents.”
Joan Eldredge
Harwich, MA
“Your flower photographs are absolutely inspiring and I’m making room on my shelf between my Freeman Patterson and Tony Sweet editions for Botanical Dreaming!”
Eric Severson
Montclair, NJ
“Thank you for taking the time to put together such a wonderful collection. After reading through the entire book last night I must thank you for giving me permission to shoot the way that I do. I only took up a camera a few years ago and from day one I’ve always tried to capture that soft and often times purposefully out-of-focus shot. I think my friends thought I was nuts, but it’s just what I like. Thanks again for your encouragement and inspiration.”
Na Goodman
St. Paul, MN
“Your new flower photography book has been very inspirational! I was in a “rut” with my flower photography—I love to take flower photos, but I am usually disappointed with the similarity of all the shots. By keeping the majority of the photo out of focus, shooting for color and composition, and not being confined to a tripod, I had a great time at the local flower garden!”
Sue Bednarz
Salem, OR
“The mailman just delivered IT!!!!! My very own signed copy. Beautiful—Exquisite—Luscious!!! A birthday/anniversary gift from my wife. The images, the quotes and your outlook on life will help me to further develop the EYE that was given to me.”
Paul J. Casco
Arlington, MA
“I don’t know which I liked more—your writing or your images. Both are fantastic. I really relate to your writing about the magic, mystery, and delight of being with and photographing flowers and the joy their colors bring to me. I am taking a “techniques” class which is getting me too much into my head and I am losing the fun of shooting, so hopefully I’ll get back to (as you and Charles Needle say) seeing and shooting from my heart. Thanks for putting the book together and for the openness and honesty in your writing as well as your photographic creativity. The book is totally inspiring.”
Natalie Birnbaum
Atlanta, GA
“I just received “Botanical Dreaming” and it is truly inspiring. I have always loved taking macros of flowers and when biking, I am usually the last one in because I stop at every bit of color I see. You have expressed what I feel very eloquently. Mother nature does produce some amazing sights in her flowers and seeing them up close and personal is a gift she has provided to us. I have just started with the book but look forward to picking it up each day to enjoy your many lessons about photography as well as life. Thank you so much for publishing such a treasure. I just can’t say enough about it.”
Wes Norman
Alexandria, VA