Ron Johanson’s many wonderful accomplishments, and his work in general, have been the focus of previously published obituary notices. But here, a handful of his many friends would like to highlight Ron’s personality, warm humour and his extensive, selfless efforts to further solidarity among cinematographers across the globe.
As cinematographers, we often compete with each other for the same job opportunities. In many other professions this would mean fierce rivalry, enmity and the very opposite of friendship.
So how is it then that in the community of cinematographers the dominating feeling is one of camaraderie, of a shared love for the craft, and for the films we all create and love to watch? This feeling of camaraderie was never stronger than when you were in the same room as Ron.
I myself only knew Ron a little less than ten years, but I envy those who knew him through many decades.
I was asked to write a short presentation of Ron for the IMAGO website, when he had just been appointed President, and offered the following. ”Ron Johanson OAM ACS succeeded Kees Van Oostrum as IMAGO President/Interim Chair in November 2020 and his calm and constructive leadership has proven invaluable in steering the organization through the very challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. National President of the ACS since 2005 and a living legend in the Australian film industry, Johanson in addition to having shot and directed hundreds of television commercials, music videos and documentaries, has also lensed several feature films and TV series and has received numerous awards for his work, including a Cannes Lion and 2 Mobius awards”.
To me, Ron was the sort of person that when you met him for the first time, you felt as if you’d known him a long time already.
In January 2019 the IMAGO MasterClass Committee presented an event held in Vienna Austria called simply ”Inspiration”. It was to be a three-day smorgasbord of lectures on cinematography held at the Metro Kinokulturhaus starring Barry Ackroyd BSC, Dan Laustsen DFF ASC, Maryse Alberti and Greig Fraser ACS ASC.
Opening the event, the three members of the IMAGO MasterClass Committee entered the stage to wish everyone welcome. Next to Astrid Heubrandtner AAC and Jan Weincke DFF on stage was this big bear of a man, with charisma in spades, a friendly smile and a twinkle in his eye. The trio greeted everyone welcome and explained the overall schedule for the event, and then Ron -because, of course it was Ron- gave a few pointers on practical matters, like the audience hanging their overcoats in the cloak room, ending with a friendly caution. ”Be sure to empty your pockets yourselves, because I will be going through them. We Australians are all descendants of convicts!” Needles to say, it brought out cheerful laughter in the audience, everyone relaxed and got ready for what turned out to be a three-day out-of-body experience of cinematic inspiration -and dangerously brilliant viennese food!
Another very ambitious IMAGO event was held in Belgrade some time later. There was to be a big ceremony in the evening, where the IMAGO awards would be handed out to the lucky winners.
We were all on the roof of our hotel, getting ready for the awards show, and all the men wearing a tux and being somewhat uncomfortable, given how we all normally dressed a lot more casually.
”We look like a bunch of waiters!” Quipped Ron, and of course again laughter eased all tension among us, and we wandered off merrily to the awards show. Looking like a bunch of waiters, but we didn't care.
Richard Andry AFC remembers his dear friend. ”Our Ronnie was a special person and a great guy for the international cooperation of cinematographers.
I’ll drink a beer to his memory as he used to do when he was visiting his great uncle’s grave in the WW 1 military cemetery in the Somme, France.
Another terrible loss. Miss him.”
Ron’s good friend John Seale AM, ACS ASC writes: ”Ron Johanson was a big man, a big smile, and a big heart, big enough to encompass all the cinematographers and societies around the world.
That big mans joy has faded, but his memory never will.”
Astrid Heubrandtner AAC writes ”It is with deep sadness and profound respect that we, the Austrian Association of Cinematographers, mark the passing of Ron Johanson OAM ACS — a distinguished cinematographer, dedicated mentor, and esteemed member of the IMAGO Masterclass Committee.
Ron was more than a gifted visual storyteller; he was a passionate advocate for solidarity among cinematographers across the globe. As a long-standing and active member of the IMAGO Masterclass Committee, Ron brought extraordinary vision, wisdom, and warmth to everything he did — not to mention his bright spirit and unmistakable sense of humour.
Through his tireless commitment, Ron helped nurture a global culture of camaraderie and creative exchange within the cinematographic community. He firmly believed in the strength of international collaboration and was always ready to support new ideas and initiatives with generosity and enthusiasm.
Ron’s legacy lives on — in the images he created, the colleagues he inspired, and the international community he helped build and strengthen.
On behalf of the AAC, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.”
Lars Pettersson FSF
