Calendar
Join us for DUNEWORK, a presentation by Bob Canepa on how he captures his beautiful black and white photos of sand dunes.
This presentation will take place via Zoom. Members will be emailed with the meeting link. If you’d like to attend as a guest, please email info@darkroomers.com and we’ll add you to the guest list.
About Bob Canepa:
In 2004, while teaching mathematics to junior high students in Atascadero, a small group of them said, “Hey, Mr. Canepa, why don’t you take a picture of us with our friends?” I replied that I did not own a camera, and they promptly problem solved the situation and said, “GET ONE!” So, with a smile, I began a journey into photography.
I find myself in awe of this art form each day. There is always something to photograph, always a different perspective, angle or a change in the lighting. There are those moments of learning where nothing tangible comes that day from my efforts, but in the future it becomes obvious that that day was just an opportunity to take another path headed to the same goal . . . that of becoming a better photographer and expanding my vision. This makes every day a joy, whatever the subject is, it is a challenge to capture the essence of the moment. It’s also play, like a child who loses him/herself in absolute focus and thought of that play. No wonder so many people have chosen to participate in improving their skills in photography. I owe so much to those 7th grade students for so many reasons, photography being one.
I am passionate about dune photography and have been “playing” in the dunes for years. I find something new each time when I visit the Oceano Dunes in Oceano, California. (I return approximately once per week). Within 45 minutes from my home I can be up on top of the highest dune surveying the entire area and planning for images as the sun descends in the coming hours. It can be the tranquility that the dunes area provides, the segments of the dunes revealing intricate patterns, or simply the contours of areas, that draws me back, but it all provides an ever-changing environment filled with opportunities to explore and create images which allow me to share my vision of the wondrous landform.
Join your fellow Darkroomers to practice flash photography and portraiture in Chicano Park, a vivid park full of colorful murals.
We’ll meet at 9am, shoot for an hour or two, and then grab a coffee and/or light lunch at Ryan Bros. at 1894 Main Street.
There are a couple of small parking lots with a 2 hour time limit in the park and ample street parking.
If you have lighting gear, bring it. (Flashes, umbrellas, soft boxes, light stands, transmitters, reflectors, etc.) If you don’t have any lighting equipment, those of us bringing ours are willing to share, though there may be limitations for those with varying camera systems. Don’t forget your camera and a good portrait lens (super wide angle isn’t typically flattering for portraits).
This event is open to Darkroomers members only. Please RSVP to info@darkroomers.com or email Angela or Melanie if you plan to attend.
Join us for a morning walk through Carlsbad’s beautiful Flower Fields.
Tickets MUST be purchased ahead of time online at https://www.theflowerfields.com. There are no ticket sales onsite.
Join us for our Monthly Critique Night via Zoom!
Our judge for April is Paul Shilling.
Members will be emailed with Zoom meeting information. If you’d like to attend as a guest, please contact us to be added to the guest list.
Image critiques are 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 Paul:
Paul recently retired from the UCSD Department of Psychiatry after a productive 30-year career investigating the brain mechanisms underlying schizophrenia and the antipsychotic drugs used to treat this severe brain disorder. In retirement, he plans to continue research into the potential of oxytocin to help people with schizophrenia navigate the challenges they often face in daily social interactions.
Paul’s passion for photography began when he was a graduate student at UCSD. This art form perfectly complemented the highly logical thinking used in his research. Paul specializes in nature photography and is especially passionate about macro. Creating macro images of insects and flowers allows him to share details and patterns in natural subjects that usually go unnoticed. His goal is to create artistic images of nature using the optimal combination of light, color and gesture, three essential elements of a photographic image.
Paul has exhibited his award-winning photography in numerous local shows and competitions. Most recently he was awarded The Nelson 2020 Image of the Year Award from the Polyphoto Camera Club. His images have been published in the book, San Diego’s North County Coast: A Photographic Portrait and in Nature’s Best magazine. You can view some of his best images at www.shillingphotojewelry.com
Paul has developed expertise in image post processing using Lightroom Classic, Photoshop, and Topaz filters. In the near future, he is planning to offer one-on-one sessions on organizing and editing images in Lightroom/Photoshop.