logo

Calendar

Jul
16
Wed
Darkroomers Monthly Critique Night @ Photographic Arts Building | Balboa Park
Jul 16 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

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 July will be Monica Royal.

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.

Monica Royal Flyer Guest Judge

About Monica

Monica Royal is an award-winning macro photographer known for transforming everyday objects into mesmerizing works of art. Her journey began with a photo of frost on a window—an image so abstract and beautiful, viewers couldn’t guess what it was. That curiosity, that moment of wonder, hooked her.

For Monica, macro photography is more than a genre—it’s a way of seeing. With over a decade of study and exploration, she’s mastered the art of revealing the extraordinary in the ordinary. Whether it’s a drop of oil in a margarita glass or a torn piece of plastic, Monica’s images challenge perceptions and spark imagination.

Through her lens, the world becomes a playground of texture, light, and color. Her work invites viewers to pause, look closer, and ask, “That’s gorgeous… but what is it?”

Jul
30
Wed
Member Spotlight: Thru Catz Eyes | Macro and More with Cat Evans @ Photographic Arts Building
Jul 30 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Member Spotlight Cat Evans

Join us for an inspiring evening with Darkroomers member Catherine “Cat” Evans as she shares her photographic journey and creative vision in Thru Catz Eyes: Macro and More. Best known for her stunning macro water drop photography, Cat’s work invites viewers to slow down and appreciate the often-overlooked details of the world around us.

From delicate dewdrops to early morning scenes at the beach, Cat captures fleeting moments with artistry and heart. Her presentation will explore how she developed her unique style, her techniques for shooting macro images, and the stories behind some of her favorite photographs.

Whether you’re curious about macro photography or simply looking for a fresh perspective, Cat’s passion and creativity will leave you inspired to see the world through new eyes—Thru Catz Eyes.

Aug
6
Wed
Photo Compositing For The Entertainment Industry with Tony Washington @ Photographic Arts Building
Aug 6 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Tony Washington Flyer

Photo Compositing For The Entertainment Industry

In this workshop, I’ll be sharing my process and techniques behind creating dynamic digital photo composites used across the entertainment industry. Drawing from my experience in comics, video games, film, and VR, I’ll break down how individual photographs, digital painting, and matte painting techniques are blended together to create cinematic scenes that support storytelling for major entertainment properties. We’ll explore how lighting, perspective, and visual consistency are managed to bring multiple source elements together into a seamless, believable image.
© Tony Washington
Throughout the session, I’ll provide real-world examples from my professional portfolio, demonstrating how these compositing techniques have been applied to projects ranging from poster art to key art, concept designs, and promotional materials. Attendees will gain insight into the full creative process — from initial concept sketches, photography considerations, asset gathering, and compositing workflows, all the way to final color grading and delivery for clients. Special focus will also be placed on how to plan and shoot with compositing in mind, helping photographers expand their own creative toolset.
© Tony Washington
Whether you’re looking to expand your post-production skill set, collaborate with entertainment clients, or explore new creative possibilities with your photography, this workshop is designed to give you a behind-the-scenes look at how digital compositing can elevate your work for today’s visual industries.
© Tony Washington

About Tony

Tony Washington is an Eisner Award-winning illustrator with over 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry, spanning comics, animated features, video games, and VR. His extensive credits include work on the Ratchet & Clank and TMNT CGI films, official poster art for The Crow, and lead illustrator for the ACLU (SDIC) for 9 years. He is also a New York Times bestselling artist for World of Warcraft: Ashbringer and a multiple San Diego County Fair award winner. Tony’s expertise in digital compositing, concept art, and matte painting has made him a sought-after artist for major studios and publishers. In addition to his studio work, he is an active member of the Adobe Experts Community and regularly leads workshops—both online and in-person—focused on supporting artists and students of all levels.
Aug
9
Sat
Weekend Workshop: Fine Art Printing with Eric Joseph @ Photographic Arts Building
Aug 9 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Eric Joseph Fine Art Printing Workshop Flyer

Do your prints truly match what you see on your monitor? Are you in control of your printing workflow, or are you just hoping for the best?

Creating gallery- or exhibition-quality inkjet prints isn’t easy and certainly isn’t intuitive. If it were, everyone would be doing it—and doing it well.

Join Eric Joseph of Freestyle Photographic Supplies for an in-depth, hands-on workshop designed to give you the tools and confidence to take full control of your printmaking process. You’ll learn the six essential steps to producing consistently beautiful inkjet prints.

Throughout this workshop, Eric will guide participants through key topics including:

  • Choosing the right monitor for print-based editing

  • Monitor calibration: what it is, how to do it, and why it matters

  • Selecting paper that supports your artistic vision

  • Choosing the best printer for your needs

  • Understanding and using custom printer/paper profiles

  • Evaluating your prints under proper lighting

Who Can Attend?

Darkroomers Weekend Workshops are typically reserved for current members of the Darkroomers Photographic Club. However, this special event is open to all members in good standing of any SCACC (Southern California Association of Camera Clubs) affiliated club. We welcome our fellow photographers from the SCACC community to join us for this educational opportunity.

About Eric Joseph

Eric Joseph is a photographer and Co-President at Freestyle Photographic & Imaging Supplies. With decades of experience and a passion for education, Eric has traveled the U.S. delivering workshops on color management, inkjet papers, and digital fine art printmaking. His teaching emphasizes practical, real-world knowledge that helps photographers achieve consistent, professional-quality output.

Donations Welcome

This workshop is free to attend, thanks to the generosity of our presenter. Eric Joseph is graciously volunteering his time, materials, and expertise—and transporting extensive professional equipment to make this event possible. If you find value in the experience and would like to support his efforts, donations are welcome and appreciated.