'Much-loved, highly respected and long serving': Farewell to a film pioneer (75)
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He shaped the visual language of Australian film and television for over five decades.
His work touched horror, action, documentary and drama—yet many never knew his name.
Now, the film industry is mourning a quiet giant lost to cancer.
Veteran cinematographer Ron Johanson died peacefully on 28 June at age 75, surrounded by his loved ones.
Johanson had been living with brain cancer for some time, and his passing marked the end of an extraordinary career in which he transformed the landscape of Australian screen culture.
His death was announced in a statement from the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS), written by fellow cameraman Ernie Clark.
‘It is with great sorrow we acknowledge the passing of Ronald Johanson OAM ACS,’ Clark wrote.
‘Ron was our much-loved, highly respected and long serving National ACS president for fourteen years from 2008 to 2022, national vice president for five years and a past Queensland president for over ten years.’
Born and raised in Melbourne, Johanson began his film career in 1965 as a teenage message boy at Crawford Productions.
By 21, he had climbed the ranks to lighting cameraman and was already considered a rising talent within the industry.
In 1980, he founded the Roly Poly Picture Company in Brisbane, producing high-end television commercials, documentaries and films.
Among his notable film credits was the cult 2000 horror film Cut, which featured Kylie Minogue, Stephen Curry, Jessica Napier and Hollywood star Molly Ringwald.
He also worked on Freedom, a 1982 action film directed by Shine filmmaker Scott Hicks and starring Bud Tingwell.
Johanson's influence, however, extended far beyond the camera lens.
In his 14-year presidency at the ACS, he led sweeping changes that gave the society a permanent home in North Sydney in 2010 and helped unify Australian cinematographers nationwide.
‘Ron helped expand recognition of the ACS on the world stage becoming only the second ACS president to be the Australian representative on Imago—the International Federation of Cinematographers, becoming a co-president in 2021,’ Clark noted.
‘He fostered alliances with many international cinematography guilds as well… Ron was instrumental in making the ACS more inclusive, by working with the other Australian guilds to bring our industry together to make it the best it could be.’
Johanson also championed diversity, regional inclusion, and archival work.
He helped establish ACS branches in every state and territory and was a key figure in publishing The Shadowcatchers, a landmark book documenting the history of Australian cinematography.
In 2014, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to film and mentorship.
Other honours included ACS Life Membership, induction into the ACS Hall of Fame, and the Ron Windon ACS Contribution Award in 2015.
Johanson is survived by his wife Linda, their children Shannon and Kelly, and four grandchildren.
While remembering the legacy of Ron Johanson, it's worth looking at the lives of other creatives who helped shape the local screen industry behind the camera.
One such figure was a pioneering director whose work left an indelible mark on both cinema and television.
His passing marked the end of an era for storytellers who captured life from a uniquely Australian lens.
Read more: Acclaimed director dies at 82, Australian film icon remembered
A life behind the lens, remembered with clarity, vision and deep respect. Rest in peace, Ron.
His work touched horror, action, documentary and drama—yet many never knew his name.
Now, the film industry is mourning a quiet giant lost to cancer.
Veteran cinematographer Ron Johanson died peacefully on 28 June at age 75, surrounded by his loved ones.
Johanson had been living with brain cancer for some time, and his passing marked the end of an extraordinary career in which he transformed the landscape of Australian screen culture.
His death was announced in a statement from the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS), written by fellow cameraman Ernie Clark.
Cinematographer Ron Johanson dies aged 75. Image source: Instagram/imagocinematography
‘It is with great sorrow we acknowledge the passing of Ronald Johanson OAM ACS,’ Clark wrote.
‘Ron was our much-loved, highly respected and long serving National ACS president for fourteen years from 2008 to 2022, national vice president for five years and a past Queensland president for over ten years.’
Born and raised in Melbourne, Johanson began his film career in 1965 as a teenage message boy at Crawford Productions.
By 21, he had climbed the ranks to lighting cameraman and was already considered a rising talent within the industry.
In 1980, he founded the Roly Poly Picture Company in Brisbane, producing high-end television commercials, documentaries and films.
Among his notable film credits was the cult 2000 horror film Cut, which featured Kylie Minogue, Stephen Curry, Jessica Napier and Hollywood star Molly Ringwald.
He also worked on Freedom, a 1982 action film directed by Shine filmmaker Scott Hicks and starring Bud Tingwell.
Johanson's influence, however, extended far beyond the camera lens.
In his 14-year presidency at the ACS, he led sweeping changes that gave the society a permanent home in North Sydney in 2010 and helped unify Australian cinematographers nationwide.
‘Ron helped expand recognition of the ACS on the world stage becoming only the second ACS president to be the Australian representative on Imago—the International Federation of Cinematographers, becoming a co-president in 2021,’ Clark noted.
‘He fostered alliances with many international cinematography guilds as well… Ron was instrumental in making the ACS more inclusive, by working with the other Australian guilds to bring our industry together to make it the best it could be.’
Johanson also championed diversity, regional inclusion, and archival work.
He helped establish ACS branches in every state and territory and was a key figure in publishing The Shadowcatchers, a landmark book documenting the history of Australian cinematography.
In 2014, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to film and mentorship.
Other honours included ACS Life Membership, induction into the ACS Hall of Fame, and the Ron Windon ACS Contribution Award in 2015.
Johanson is survived by his wife Linda, their children Shannon and Kelly, and four grandchildren.
While remembering the legacy of Ron Johanson, it's worth looking at the lives of other creatives who helped shape the local screen industry behind the camera.
One such figure was a pioneering director whose work left an indelible mark on both cinema and television.
His passing marked the end of an era for storytellers who captured life from a uniquely Australian lens.
Read more: Acclaimed director dies at 82, Australian film icon remembered
A life behind the lens, remembered with clarity, vision and deep respect. Rest in peace, Ron.
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Condolences to his loved ones 
