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Join Darkroomers for an evening of Milky Way photography in the mountains east of San Diego.
We will meet along Sunrise Highway (S1), approximately 45 minutes east of San Diego, near these coordinates:
32.85494, -116.47573
Please plan to arrive around 7:15 PM so there is time to set up equipment before it gets dark.
Depending on conditions and the interests of the group, we may continue approximately 12 miles farther along Sunrise Highway to Kwaaymii Point:
32.93593, -116.48645
What to Bring
- Your camera
- A sturdy tripod
- A cable release or remote shutter release
- The widest and fastest lens you have
- Extra batteries and memory cards
- A flashlight
- A headlamp with a red-light setting
- Water and light snacks
- A small camping chair or stool
- Warm layers, including a sweatshirt or jacket, since temperatures can drop later in the evening
For information about stargazing and night-sky viewing in the Julian area, visit the Julian Stargazing Guide.
Please be considerate when using lights after dark. Red lights are strongly recommended because they help preserve everyone’s night vision.
The meeting will start promptly at 7 pm, but we’ll be onsite at 6:30 pm for setup and social time.
Join us for our Monthly Critique Night!
Our judge for August will be Amethel Parel-Sewell.
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 Amethel
Amethel Parel-Sewell is a multidisciplinary creative with more than 30 years of experience as an editor-in-chief, creative director, photography editor, photojournalist, multimedia producer, graphic designer, and educator. Her work flows at the intersection of storytelling, visual art, and education.
She currently serves as a Coordinator of the International Exhibition of Photography at the San Diego County Fair, the nation’s largest and longest-running juried print exhibition. With her passion for teaching, she leads the exhibition’s robust educational program. Prior to this role, she contributed as both a judge and speaker.
Amethel is also the Editor-in-Chief/Creative Director of Brilliant Star, an award-winning international media agency that uplifts youth and the young-at-heart through global citizenship, social justice, and the transformative power of the arts.
Rooted in community, she founded Light Chasers, a vibrant San Diego–based photography collective that hosts competitions, workshops, exhibitions, and the best potlucks — all designed to light a path for learning, connection, and growth.
When she’s not mentoring creatives or developing educational content, she’s likely on the road with her husband and their beloved campervan, chasing moonrises and fleeting light.
Connect with Amethel in Light Chasers: facebook.com/groups/LightChasers
Or visit her website: amethel.com
Photo Management for Real Life: A Practical Guide to Organization & Backup
Taking photos is the fun part. Managing them? That’s where things get complicated. Between your camera, phone, and however many hard drives you’ve accumulated over the years, it’s easy to end up with photos scattered everywhere and no real system for finding what you need.
In this session, I’ll share practical strategies for organizing your files, building a backup workflow you can trust, and a few time-tested tips I’ve learned along the way.
What You’ll Walk Away With
• A simple, consistent approach to organizing your files that works with any photo software
• A backup strategy you can set up, trust, and verify
• A clear workflow for managing photos across your camera and your phone
If you’ve ever stressed about losing your photos, wondered where that one shot went, or just know your system could use some work, this session is for you. I hope to see you there
About Angela
Angela Andrieux is a fine art photographer and photography coach with over 15 years of experience working with photographers at all stages of their creative journey. She’s drawn to places with a sense of history—old buildings, weathered details, and quiet landscapes—and the stories that emerge when you slow down and really look.
Alongside her own photography, Angela helps people make sense of the tools that support their creative work. She’s known for explaining technology in a clear, practical way, helping photographers organize and protect their images, simplify their workflows, and feel more confident using the software they rely on every day.
Based in Southern California, Angela spends as much time as possible exploring with a camera. When she’s not photographing or teaching, she enjoys good food, riding her e-bike, and time with her husband and two cats.