Photographer Melissa Johnson, known on Flickr as Web Betty, documents the vibrant city around her, whether in her home state of Colorado or throughout her travels. When we come across her photos on Flickr, her work is instantly recognizable: her compelling use of color and light, her ability to capture mood and movement, and her talent for photographing subjects who are fully embracing life, community and the moment. We’ve long enjoyed what Melissa brings to Flickr and wanted to learn a little more about her background as a photographer and what drives her to document the fast moving scenes around her. Welcome to another edition of Photographer Spotlight, meet Melissa Johnson.
Flickr: Can you introduce yourself and share a little bit about your background as a photographer?
Melissa Johnson: I’m Melissa Johnson and I’m a self-taught, hobbyist photographer (although you’d think I would do it professionally for all the money I put into it!). Since I was a kid, I’ve always seemed to have a camera in my hand, and I feel fortunate to have learned on film, which I still shoot on occasion.
Flickr: How would you describe your style or preferred genre as a photographer?
MJ: I love shooting urban, street, and documentary images. I’m drawn to the gritty details of the urban landscape, and I seek out everyday moments that others overlook. Recently, I’ve been working on a personal project, You Are Beautiful, inspired by the stickers found across the country. This project reflects my desire to widen the definition of who gets to be seen, celebrated, and remembered.
Flickr: What inspires you to shoot at a specific location?
MJ: I’m drawn to shoot anywhere and everywhere. I shoot on instinct. If something stops me in my tracks, whether it’s the light, a strange juxtaposition, or just something that feels a little off, that’s my cue to raise the camera.
Flickr: What gear or tools are essential to your workflow, and do you have a favorite camera setup?
MJ: I’m an Olympus M43 fangirl from way back in the day. I started 15 years ago with an Olympus E-PL2, and several upgrades later, my current go-to is the OM System OM-3 with the OM 20mm/f1.4. I’m really loving the rapid AI-powered face/subject detection autofocus and 5-axis image stabilization (my caffeine intake makes me shaky, lol), while the versatility of the 20mm/1.4 lens means I can shoot street during the day, and seamlessly transition to night scenes. I’m a RAW shooter because I enjoy processing my photos almost as much as I love taking them, and RAW gives me ultimate control over the final image. Lightroom is my digital darkroom, and I like to play with plugins like DxO FilmPack.
Flickr: What message or feeling do you want viewers to take away from your work?
MJ: When viewing my work, I want people to feel like they’re a part of the moment; that they’re in on the joke; or that they’ve just discovered a secret. If my image has made you smile, frown, or think about something a little differently, I’m doing something right.
Flickr: Can you pick one of your favorite photos and tell us about it?
MJ: Wow. That’s a tough one. I think I’ll go with the shot I got in 2024 of Texas longhorns being herded through the streets of downtown Denver, to kick off the 118th National Western Stock Show.
Flickr: Can you share the story behind why you chose that shot?
MJ: This image captures the juxtaposition of livestock in an urban area and harkens back to when Denver was considered a “cow town.” The longhorns are just starting their turn onto Glenarm Place, where I had been strategically camped out for several hours to capture just this moment. I feel that this shot is not only a good representation of my genre—street photography + urban landscape + documentary—but also a technically great photograph, which is something I sometimes struggle with.
Flickr: Besides photography, what are some other passions of yours?
MJ: I love music, which has provided ample opportunities to combine my two favorite passions, live music and photography. We are lucky to have so many amazing music venues in and around Denver, and I try to go to at least one show a month. My son is also a drummer, so I’ve gotten lots of practice shooting in low, low, low light conditions.
Flickr: You’ve been a Flickr member for quite some time, what do you enjoy most about being a part of the Flickr community?
MJ: I love the community of Flickr friends I’ve made over my 19 years on Flickr. I have wonderful conversations with many Flickr members through the sharing of comments on our images, FlickrMail, and even text messaging. I’ve also met several members locally for photo walks. I’m the admin of several groups, as well as being a very active member across a variety of group genres. Interacting on Flickr is one of the best parts of my day.
Want to keep up with where Melissa is shooting from next? Check out her site www.urbanymphoto.com or reach her directly via email at melissa@urbanymphoto.com. And give her Flickr site a follow. You can see what she’s added to her Photostream and also check in on any of the lucky Flickr groups that she admins.
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