SCACC logo
← Member Clubs

Darkroomers

One of the oldest photography clubs in San Diego. Started by enthusiasts who mastered developing photographs in a darkroom, Darkroomers is a modern club that continues the skill and mastery of producing printed works using digital technologies and is steeped in honor and tradition. They meet on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesdays of each month at 7pm in the Photographic Arts Building and maintain an exclusive gallery for the public to enjoy on weekends. They also extend knowledge through hands-on workshops with professionals and enthusiasts on the 2nd Saturday of the month, while leading the club on photography outings each month.

1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesdays at 7pm; Photographic Arts Building, Balboa Park (temporarily relocated due to building repairs — check event listings for current venue)
Photographic Arts Building, Balboa Park
Visit Darkroomers Website
Interested in Joining?

Visitors are welcome to attend any meeting at no cost. Participation in competitions and select workshops typically requires membership.

General Inquiries

For general questions about SCACC or the Photographic Arts Building:

Upcoming Events

Darkroomers Monthly Critique Night

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 7:00 PMRecurring monthly

NOTE: Normally held at the Photographic Arts Building — temporarily relocated due to building repairs. The meeting will start promptly at 7 pm, but we will open the room at 6:30 pm for setup and social time. Join us for our Monthly Critique Night! Our judge for September will be Andrew Hertel. 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.

Rancho San Diego Library

More info →
On Location: Vista Viking Festival

Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Join Darkroomers for a day of photography, history, and spectacle at the Vista Viking Festival, held at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum in Vista. The festival features Viking reenactments, costumes, demonstrations, vendors, food, and plenty of interesting subjects for candid and environmental photography. We will plan to meet when the gates open at 10:00 AM. The festival runs until 8:00 PM, so stay for as much or as little of the day as you like.

Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, Vista

More info →
On Location: Miramar Air Show

Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 8:00 AM

Join Darkroomers for a full day of photography at the Miramar Air Show. This is an all-day event, but you are welcome to stay for as much or as little of the day as you like. The air show offers plenty of opportunities to photograph fast-moving aircraft, aerial demonstrations, and displays on the ground. For the best chance of filling the frame with aircraft in flight, bring your longest lens. A 500-600mm lens is ideal, but do not let that stop you from coming.

MCAS Miramar

More info →
Beyond the Image: A Conversation About Photography

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 7:00 PM

NOTE: Normally held at the Photographic Arts Building — temporarily relocated due to building repairs. For this meeting we are going to try something a little different. We hope you will find it both interesting and inspiring. Afterward, we would love to hear your thoughts — what you enjoyed, what you did not, and whether you would like to see more meetings like this in the future. This is not intended to replace our Member Spotlight presentations or our regular critiques. Instead, it is an opportunity to explore photography from a different perspective and add another type of learning experience to our calendar.

Lakeside Library

More info →
Darkroomers Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 7:00 PMRecurring monthly

Join us for our First Wednesday Monthly Meeting. First Wednesday Meetings are lectures, talks, discussions, or presentations. This meeting will be held in person at the Photographic Arts Building in Balboa Park (next to Spanish Village).

Photographic Arts Building, Balboa Park

More info →
Darkroomers Weekend Workshop Series

Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 9:30 AMRecurring monthly

Join the Darkroomers Photographic Club for their Weekend Workshop Series. Topics vary and workshops are held every other month in the Photographic Arts Building. Visit darkroomers.com for more information.

Photographic Arts Building, Balboa Park

More info →
Darkroomers Monthly Critique Night

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 7:00 PMRecurring monthly

NOTE: Normally held at the Photographic Arts Building — location TBD pending building repairs. The meeting will start promptly at 7 pm, but we will open the building at 6 pm for setup and social hour. Join us for our Monthly Critique Night! Judges vary by month. 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.

TBD

More info →
Darkroomers Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 7:00 PMRecurring monthly

Join us for our First Wednesday Monthly Meeting. First Wednesday Meetings are lectures, talks, discussions, or presentations. This meeting will be held in person at the Photographic Arts Building in Balboa Park (next to Spanish Village).

Photographic Arts Building, Balboa Park

More info →
Darkroomers Monthly Critique Night

Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:00 PMRecurring monthly

NOTE: Normally held at the Photographic Arts Building — location TBD pending building repairs. The meeting will start promptly at 7 pm, but we will open the building at 6 pm for setup and social hour. Join us for our Monthly Critique Night! Judges vary by month. 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.

TBD

More info →