Calendar
Members and their guests along with Judges from our year end competition look back on the year and celebrate our accomplishments and recognize those that have excelled in individual categories and hand out awards to those who have won ribbons in our annual event. This is a gala event not to be missed.
This is a pre-paid RSVP in advance event. Members must RSVP no later than February 12th and there is a strict limit of 30 at this event.Entree selections will be made at dinner service.
Social activities begin at 1p in the Bar while luncheon will begin at 2p

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 Feburary will be Stephen Burns.
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 Stephen
Stephen Burns is a digital artist, photographer, educator, and author who has spent over 30 years exploring the intersection of photography and digital art. With a deep passion for creativity, his influences range from the great Abstractionists and Surrealists—including Jackson Pollock, Wassily Kandinsky, Pablo Picasso, and Mark Rothko—to the evolving world of digital media.
As an Adobe Educational Leader (AEL), Stephen has dedicated the past 23 years to teaching and corporate training in digital art and design. He is the president of the San Diego Photoshop Users Group, which boasts a membership of over 5,000 creatives. His expertise extends beyond Photoshop, incorporating 3D animation, digital video special effects, and photographic techniques.
Stephen’s fine art has been exhibited internationally in prestigious venues such as the Durban Art Museum in South Africa, Citizens Gallery in Yokohama, Japan, and the CECUT Museum in Mexico, among others. His work has earned top honors, including 1st place in the Seybold International Digital Arts Contest.
As an educator, he leads digital manipulation workshops in San Diego and teaches at institutions like Golden West College and Otis College of Art & Design. He is also a prominent instructor for Photoshop Café, producing in-depth educational content on Adobe applications.
Stephen is the author of multiple books on digital creativity, including:
• 3D Photoshop for Creative Professionals
• The Art of Poser & Photoshop
• Photoshop CS Trickery & FX (and advanced editions through CS5)
• The Art of Poser Pro & Photoshop CS4
His teaching style is known for making complex digital techniques intuitive and accessible. Whether leading workshops, writing instructional books, or exhibiting his work, Stephen is committed to pushing the boundaries of digital creativity and helping others unlock their artistic potential.
Learn more about Stephen at chromeallusion.com.
Join us for our First Wednesday Monthly Meeting. Our March 2025 topic will be All About Entering the Photography Exhibition at the San Diego County Fair with Lois Fong-Sakai.
Summer Pet-tacular at the 2025 San Diego County Fair
Hot Diggity Dog (and cat and fish and bird)! Whether you’ve got a furry friend, a scaly sidekick or a feathered flock, we all agree that pets rock! They bring joy, laughter, and a whole lot of love into our lives. They’re our snuggle buddies, our adventure partners, and our loyal companions. This summer we’ll celebrate the special bonds between humans and their pets. Join us as we turn the dog days of summer into the cat’s meow with thrilling rides, challenging games, mouth-watering food, incredible exhibits, and top-notch entertainment at our Summer Pet-tacular!
The 2025 season runs from June 11 – July 6, 2025.
The San Diego County Fair began in 1880. One of the treasured traditions and key components that continues to set the fair apart from other events and amusement venues is its participatory element. The community is the star of the show, and the public is encouraged to take part in the Fair by performing center stage as a community entertainer or submitting arts and hobbies through the fair’s competitive exhibition program. Entry materials and applications for public participation programs will be available starting in January, and admission and ticketed concerts and festivals are expected to go on sale in March.

