Calendar

Hiking trails in San Diego and beyond can be great areas for inspiration. I love the iconic areas that all us photographers like to take epic photos at, the ones that everyone recognizes, but I also get a kick out of finding a unique scene that has not been over explored. By getting out on to hiking trails you can find a unique perspective on the area where you live. All genres of photography can benefit from this. Heading out on the trail can help you find a unique landscape to shoot, and great backdrop for portraits, a cool place for macrophotography, a wonderful foreground for astrophotography, …the possibilities are endless. 

Photo Credit: Brad Spiess

In this workshop I will assume you have some basic knowledge of photography and focus more on some basics to make your outdoor adventures more enjoyable and rewarding. Such as:

• The best planning practices that can help you maximize your enjoyment of the adventure and increase your keepers for your photography.
• Some of the better locations around San Diego for hiking and photography 
• Best fitness practices to help you get in shape for your hiking adventures
• Safety tips to help minimize your risk while out on the trail.

Photo Credit: Brad Spiess

About Brad

Brad Spiess is an award-winning photographer who has spent countless hours on the trails over many years. Brad started hiking with his mother at an early age in the Pacific Islands. Later on in life after leaving the military he relocated to San Diego and discovered an area rich in hiking trails and diversity. After some time exploring trails in San Diego he started a hiking related website to share his experiences and insight with others. As he started to put more effort into building a robust site he started to explore photography as a means for better graphics and hiking related information for his audience. It’s at this point that his love for photography started to blossom. When Brad is not out exploring the world for inspiration he makes a living as a personal trainer helping his clients achieve their goals.

Photo Credit: Brad Spiess

One of the unique features of Darkroomers is our commitment to printing and sharing our photographs for monthly critique and exhibition. A beautifully matted and mounted print can elevate your work, but mastering this skill, especially if you plan to cut your own mats, takes practice and the right tools.

To support our members in this process, we host an Annual Matting and Mounting Workshop, where you’ll learn the art of creating custom mats and mounting your prints using archival tools and techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, this workshop offers valuable hands-on learning and an opportunity to connect with fellow members.

What to Bring:

• Mat Cutter (if you own one): If you don’t have a mat cutter, this is the perfect chance to explore what others use and try before you invest.
• Uncut Mat Board (16×24 recommended): Bring enough to practice and complete your project.
• Printed Photograph: Ready to mat and mount.
• Adhesives and Tools: Any supplies you typically use or want to learn with.

This workshop is a must for all members, both new and experienced. It’s an excellent way for long-term members to share their expertise and for newer members to gain confidence in matting and mounting.

NOTE: This is a members-only event. Not a member? Click here for more information and to join Darkroomers!

Let’s refine our craft together and ensure our prints are ready for exhibition!

The meeting will start promptly at 7 pm, but we’ll open the building at 6 pm for setup and social hour.

Join us for our Monthly Critique Night!

Our judge for February will be Marshall Williams.

Members bring prints for critique on the third Wednesday of each month. Prints accepted by the Judge will hang for up to 2 months in the Photographic Arts Building gallery.

Visitors are welcome, however, submitting images for critique is available for members only. If you’d like more information about joining Darkroomers, please check out our membership page and email us if you have any questions.

About Marshall

Marshall Williams (b. 1965) is a fine art and commercial/advertising photographer.  He is a graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography (1989) and apprenticed under Dean Collins, an internationally renowned lighting and photographic educator and photographer. While working with Collins, he met fellow apprentice, Tim Mantoani.  The two formed Mantoani-Williams studio in 1994. Today he is a principle at Studio on Banks/ a production studio and collective of photographers and cinematographers, and President of Marshall Williams Photography, Inc.

Williams’ commercial clients include many of the top food, healthcare, hospitality and land development corporations nationally including Jack in the Box, Qdoba, Hilton, Marriott, Loews Hotels, Cardinal Health, Sharp Healthcare, Howard Hughes Corporation and Irvine Company to name a few.

His current fine art series is Taco Stand Vernacular— observations and visual recordings of the neighborhood taco stand and its iconic presence in the cultural landscape of Southern California.  Williams serves on the Board of Medium Photo and is a founding member of the Medium Photo Collective. He is a member of the San Diego chapter of American Photographic Artists and is active in the photography and arts community in San Diego.   His photographs are held in many corporate and private collections.

Once Upon a Fair at the 2026 San Diego County Fair

The San Diego County Fair is the greatest story our community has ever told. It’s a tale of food, fun, friends, family, laughter, tradition, music, amazement, and pure, unbridled joy. The Fair — the largest and longest-running community event in San Diego County — makes its triumphant return from Wednesday, June 10, through Sunday, July 5, 2026 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays.) You won’t want to miss your chance to live out your “happily ever after” at the 2026 SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR.

This presentation, organized by Lois Fong-Sakai and Amethel Parel-Sewell (exhibition coordinators), will provide you with all the essential information required to participate in the San Diego County Fair. It includes valuable tips on various categories, announcements of new categories, and other insider information.