A Private Screening of Positive Negatives, The Photography of David Johnson, the First African-American Student of Ansel Adams.

Join the Alameda Social Club as we bring a Film Festival experience to Alameda. This amazing film uses David's photography to tell the story of his journey to discover and master his craft while dealing with all of the social challenges of the times. David Johnson has the distinction of being Ansel Adams' first African-American student at the California School of Fine arts (CSFA) now known as the venerable San Francisco Art Institute.

David Johnson used his camera to not only tell his story but to capture images that are so candid and honest that they clearly depict the spirit and mood of the time. Included in Johnson's artistic vision was his desire to depict people positively in the presence of discrimination, thus capturing the emotions of the Civil Rights movement.  

He has deep roots here in the Bay Area and spent a considerable amount of time in the Fillmore District of San Francisco and even lived in Alameda for a period as he worked at the Alameda Naval Base. David's amazing eye for detail and passion for truth has made him a respected and regarded photographer for over 40 years.  

You will be in awe as you see and hear his story which has been featured in the following Film festivals:

San Francisco Black Film Festival
The San Diego Black Film Festival
The San Francisco International Women's Film Festival
The Sacramento Film Festival
The Tiburon International Film Festival and the Langston Hughes African American Film Festival

About David Johnson
After graduating from CSFA, David Johnson went on to establish his own studio on Fillmore Street diligently documenting the development of the neighborhood during the 40’s, 50’s, & 60’s. His work has been published in books such as, Harlem of the West, as well as the KQED documentary, The Fillmore. Several of his prints are included in the Library of Congress and his name is etched in concrete at the Fillmore Plaza in San Francisco.

His most published works are his images of ordinary African-Americans, children and adults, going about the mundane routines, rites and rituals. He is likewise noted for photographing important African-Americans, including Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, A. Philip Randolph, ball player Jackie Robinson, poet Langston Hughes and musical icons Nat “King” Cole, Eartha Kitt, and “T. Bone” Walker. In addition to the influence of his teacher Ansel Adams, he cites his mentors, Minor White & Ruth Bernhard.  His work draws upon iconic photographers of the 20th century, Imogen Cunningham, Dorothea Lange, Gordon Parks, Edward Weston, and Homer Page.

To elevate the experience the Director of the film, Mindy Steiner will also be present to participate in a Q&A. 

About the Director
Retired in 2009, Mindy connected with David who was 84 at the time and had concerns about his legacy as the first black student to study photography with Ansel Adams and wanted a film made of his life. Mindy gladly took the project. The response has been so positive and the film has gained acceptance in several film festivals.

Cost: $10.  Appetizers will be enjoyed after the first screening and during the Q&A.

Purchase tickets at www.alamedasocialclub.com

Thursday, April 26th
Doors open:  6:00 p.m. 
First screening:  6:30 p.m. 
Second screening:  7:15 p.m. 
Q&A with film director, Mindy Steiner to follow