Shallow Depth of Field
Sunday 14 June
Oak Glen Preserve area - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Maile
In this workshop, we will explore the art of creating stunning images with a shallow depth of field. Learn techniques to isolate your subject, blur the background, and create beautiful bokeh effects using aperture settings and positioning.
Beginning Photography Master Class
Saturday 20 June
Corona park - 9am - 3.0 Hours
Steve Somers
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Join this Beginning Photography Master Class for beginners. Learn the basics of camera settings, composition, and creative techniques in a supportive outdoor environment. Perfect for DSLR and mirrorless camera owners who want to move beyond auto mode.
Photo Shoot and Critique
Saturday 20 June
Balboa Park, San Diego - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Andre Bick
Join us for a dynamic photo shoot and critique session. We will spend time capturing images around Balboa Park before regrouping to review and discuss our work. This session focuses on improving composition and visual storytelling through constructive feedback and shared insights. It is a great opportunity to learn from others in a relaxed environment.
Street Photography
Saturday 04 July
Golf Course Dr. - 10am - 2 Hours
Andre Bick
People, cafes, vendors, street merchants, buskers, historic buildings, art installations and much more. The power of observation underpins the art of great street photography. Learning to "see" interesting detail is a practised skill and we introduce you to easy methods that will open your photographer's eye and expose you to a world that is alive with detail. The most rewarding part of the class is learning how to approach interesting people and have them willingly pose for you.We will also go over settings, focusing techniques and lens choices common to street photography to help us capture those random chance encounters.
Beginner's Photography Class
Saturday 11 July
Laguna Niguel YMCA - 11am - 3 Hours
Carlo Parducho
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Now is your chance! Join us as we break down your camera to help you learn about shutter speed, aperture, ISO and how these settings affect your exposure. We will then put your new knowledge to the test with the guidance of a professional photographer. Host may take candid behind-the-scenes photos to promote future events. Kindly let host know if you wish to be excluded.
Nature Photography Meetup
Sunday 12 July
Oak Glen Preserve area - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Maile
Join this session for tips on how to use your camera settings to creatively capture nature in a variety of ways. We will cover exposure, depth of field, and manual mode settings tailored for outdoor nature photography.
Beginner's Photography Class
Saturday 18 July
Old Town San Diego area - 10am - 3.0 Hours
Andre Bick
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Now is your chance!In this beginner class, we'll cover the basics of manual mode, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Practice shooting in Old Town San Diego with feedback from the host. Perfect for all levels. 3-hour class.
Beginning Photography Master Class
Saturday 25 July
Corona park - 9am - 3.0 Hours
Steve Somers
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Join this Beginning Photography Master Class for beginners. Learn the basics of camera settings, composition, and creative techniques in a supportive outdoor environment. Perfect for DSLR and mirrorless camera owners who want to move beyond auto mode.
Food Crawl Photo Walk
Saturday 25 July
Los Rios St - 10:30am - 2 Hours
Carlo Parducho
A relaxed food-focused photo walk visiting nearby cafes and eateries to practice photographing food. We'll stop to eat, photograph food, move on to another spot discuss composition and lighting, take more pics, etc. Participants should bring their own camera and be prepared to walk short to medium distances. Host may take candid behind-the-scenes photos to promote future events. Kindly let host know if you wish to be excluded.
Environmental Portrait / Coastal Session
Saturday 25 July
Oceanside Pier area - 5:30pm - 3.0 Hours
John Moss
This session begins with a 30–45 minute lecture covering optimal timing for coastal shoots, along with ISO, shutter speed, and aperture selection for changing light conditions. We'll also discuss lighting strategies for environmental portraits and compositional choices to achieve the desired look and mood.
Participants will observe professional photographers working at the base of the pier, followed by hands-on practice. Student images will be reviewed and discussed during the session for practical, in-the-moment feedback.
Angles and Views
Sunday 16 August
Oak Glen Preserve area - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Maile
In this session we'll be looking at how we can challenge ourselves to find new viewpoints and perspectives to create more dynamic images.
Beginning Photography
Saturday 22 August
Norco - 8am - 2.0 Hours
Jen Nielsen
Join us for a fun and relaxed Beginner Photography Class where you'll learn simple techniques for capturing beautiful photos of both people and nature. Whether you're using a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or just something new you've been wanting to try, this class is designed to help you feel more confident behind the camera.
You'll learn:
- How to photograph outdoor scenes
- Simple camera tricks and settings
- Creative ways to improve your photos
- Hands-on practice while exploring and shooting
No experience needed — just bring:
? Your camera
? A willingness to learn and try something new
We'll guide you through the basics, answer questions, and help you discover new ways to enjoy photography. Come learn, explore, and create with us!
Hot Air Balloons over Mountains in Watercolor
Saturday 13 June
Balboa Park / near the Science Museum - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Cydne Palmer
Paint hot air balloons floating over majestic mountains in watercolour during this relaxed social meetup. Capture skies, balloons, and landscapes with hands-on guidance from your instructor. All levels welcome.
Catching Waves
Saturday 13 June
Mission Beach, San Diego - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Preet Srivastava
Learn to capture the energy and movement of ocean waves in this outdoor painting session at Mission Beach. Paint the dynamic coastal scenery using watercolors or colored pencils while enjoying the beach atmosphere. Explore color, movement, and composition as you bring the waves to life on paper. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists who love painting outdoors.
Watercolor Skies & Clouds
Saturday 27 June
Balboa Park / near the Science Museum - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Cydne Palmer
Paint beautiful skies and clouds in watercolour during this relaxed social meetup. Learn techniques for dreamy sunsets, moody storms, gradients, and atmospheric effects with hands-on guidance from your instructor. All levels welcome.
Still, by the Sea
Saturday 27 June
Mission Beach, San Diego - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Preet Srivastava
Immerse yourself in the rhythm of the ocean and translate its movement, light, and atmosphere into paint. In this beachside class, we explore the sea as both subject and experience. Working in watercolor and/or acrylic, students will develop their approach to composition, layering, texture, and color harmony. Learn how to paint the stillness within the chaos and create a mindful approach to painting. Open to all levels.
Capture the Light in Watercolor
Saturday 11 July
Balboa Park / near the Science Museum - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Cydne Palmer
Capture light in watercolor: techniques for highlights, glows, shadows, and luminosity. Hands-on guidance, all levels.
Between Water and Color
Saturday 11 July
Mission Beach, San Diego - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Preet Srivastava
Immerse yourself in the rhythm of the ocean and translate its movement, light, and atmosphere into paint. In this beachside class, we explore the sea as both subject and experience. Working in watercolor and/or acrylic, students will develop their approach to composition, layering, texture, and color harmony. This session focuses on creating the different shades of the ocean and how to use color and water accordingly. Open to all levels.
Brushes by the Beach
Saturday 25 July
Mission Beach, San Diego - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Preet Srivastava
Immerse yourself in the rhythm of the ocean and translate its movement, light, and atmosphere into paint. In this beachside class, we explore the sea as both subject and experience. Working in watercolor and/or acrylic, students will develop their approach to composition, layering, texture, and color harmony. This session explores the different textures created by using different brushes and strokes. Open to all levels.
Saguaro Cactus Desert Scene
Saturday 08 August
Balboa Park / near the Science Museum - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Cydne Palmer
Join us for a relaxed watercolor session focused on painting saguaro cacti and desert landscapes. You'll learn techniques for capturing the unique shapes and warm desert tones with hands-on guidance in a welcoming outdoor setting. Suitable for all skill levels.
The Sea, Translated in Color
Saturday 08 August
Mission Beach, San Diego - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Preet Srivastava
Immerse yourself in the rhythm of the ocean and translate its movement, light, and atmosphere into paint. In this beachside class, we explore the sea as both subject and experience. Working in watercolor and/or acrylic, students will develop their approach to composition, layering, texture, and color harmony. This session explores how to express time of day, mood, and subject through the use of color. Open to all levels.
Lighthouse Watercolour Class
Saturday 22 August
Balboa Park - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Cydne Palmer
Join us for a relaxing watercolour class where we will paint a beautiful lighthouse scene. Suitable for all skill levels. Your instructor Cydne will guide you through techniques to capture coastal landscapes. Bring your own watercolour supplies.
Paint by the Sea
Saturday 22 August
Mission Beach, San Diego - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Preet Srivastava
Plein air painting session at Mission Beach. This is an invitation to paint by the sea, not necessarily the sea. Make the beach your studio space for anything you want to paint. A chance to have fun, try something new, and just be you. Open to all levels. Participants bring their own materials.
Monet Water Lilies
Saturday 12 September
Balboa Park / near the Science Museum - 10am - 2.0 Hours
Cydne Palmer
Paint your own Monet-inspired Water Lilies in watercolor during this relaxed meetup. Learn techniques for capturing water, reflections, and lilies with hands-on guidance from your instructor. All levels welcome.
