Image of people at a gallery opening
Cyanotype Workshop
May
2

Cyanotype Workshop

Join us for a two-hour long (12 p.m. - 2 p.m.) workshop that will walk you through the process of creating beautiful cyanotypes.

Participants will be given an overview of cyanotypes, how they work, and what you need to make them at home. As a bonus, we will be giving a tea-toning demonstration.

All materials will be provided, but bring something personal/fun to print, like b/w film negatives or pressed flowers.

No photography or printing experience is required. 

Cyanotype Workshop - 5/2/26 (12 p.m. - 2 p.m.)
$40.00

Join us for a two-hour long (12 p.m. - 2 p.m.) workshop that will walk you through the process of creating beautiful cyanotypes.

Participants will be given an overview of cyanotypes, how they work, and what you need to make them at home. As a bonus, we will be giving a tea-toning demonstration.

All materials will be provided, but bring something personal/fun to print, like b/w film negatives or pressed flowers.

No photography or printing experience is required. 

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Lifer: A Birding Gallery and "Plot" Zine Release
Apr
25

Lifer: A Birding Gallery and "Plot" Zine Release

In birding, a “lifer” is slang for the very first time a birder sees and positively identifies a specific species of bird in the wild. The gallery show “Lifer” will be Merlin Mendoza’s effort to immerse others into San Diego’s diverse avian biomes through his photography. It will feature 81 unique species of birds and other fauna. Mostly on film, these images were ethically taken amongst the vast landscapes that San Diego County has to offer — from the arid desert, cold mountains and our popular parks where these animals mostly go unnoticed.

“Plot” is a zine born from Merlin’s exploration of the famous Tijuana estuary in search of the elusive black-throated magpie jay. After following the birds, he stumbled upon the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park community garden. Enamored with the gardens, he decided to capture its charm as a way to share the beauty of the space and shed light on their recent struggles. Copies will be available at the gallery.

April 25th Event Itinerary:

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Sapphic Photo Walk
Apr
11

Sapphic Photo Walk

Come take some photos at Balboa Park with your fellow queer photographers on April 11th at 3pm! We'll be meeting outside The San Diego Museum of Art and going for a 90 minute stroll around Balboa Park to take some photos of the architecture and gardens and make friends! Everyone is totally encouraged to bust out their film gear but bring whatever you have even if it's a phone! If folks feel good about the photos they took, we'll schedule a cafe meeting for everyone to share their favorite photos once folks have had time to develop their photos!

This event is primarily a space for sapphic-aligned photographers to meet each other — but all are welcome as long as they're respectful!

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Film Development Workshop
Mar
31

Film Development Workshop

This 3 hour workshop will cover the entire film development (both B&W and C-41) process, including the following:

  • How to load your film into a development tank

  • How to mix up film development chemistry

  • Overview of the difference between B&W and C-41 chemistry

  • Basic development and troubleshooting

  • What supplies/materials you'll need to develop at home

  • Tips and tricks to make you a film development pro!

You’re only responsible for bringing 1 exposed roll of either B&W or C-41 Color Negative 35mm film to the workshop. (Sorry, no medium format 120 film)

You’ll leave the class with developed negatives and scans of the images you process.

Limit: 3 people per workshop


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Darkroom Print Making Workshop
Mar
30

Darkroom Print Making Workshop

This hands-on workshop gives you time at the enlargers and under the safelight with the guidance of a pro. We’ll teach you the basics of the community darkroom, and help you bring your negatives to life as physical prints. All you need to bring are a few black and white negatives you’d like to print along with your curiosity.

We’ll supply the paper and you’ll leave with fresh prints for your wall.

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Film Development Workshop
Mar
24

Film Development Workshop

This 3 hour workshop will cover the entire film development (both B&W and C-41) process, including the following:

  • How to load your film into a development tank

  • How to mix up film development chemistry

  • Overview of the difference between B&W and C-41 chemistry

  • Basic development and troubleshooting

  • What supplies/materials you'll need to develop at home

  • Tips and tricks to make you a film development pro!

You’re only responsible for bringing 1 exposed roll of either B&W or C-41 Color Negative 35mm film to the workshop. (Sorry, no medium format 120 film)

You’ll leave the class with developed negatives and scans of the images you process.

Limit: 3 people per workshop


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Darkroom Print Making Workshop
Mar
23

Darkroom Print Making Workshop

This hands-on workshop gives you time at the enlargers and under the safelight with the guidance of a pro. We’ll teach you the basics of the community darkroom, and help you bring your negatives to life as physical prints. All you need to bring are a few black and white negatives you’d like to print along with your curiosity.

We’ll supply the paper and you’ll leave with fresh prints for your wall.

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Photography Equipment Rummage Sale
Mar
21

Photography Equipment Rummage Sale

It's time for another RUMMAGE SALE! As you may or may not know, Camera Exposure has been around in 1988. Over the last 38 years, we have accumulated a LOT of stuff. In order for us to finish up with the remodel we want to do, we need to clear out tons of stuff. So this Saturday, March 21st from 10am-6pm, you get to come in and DIG DIG DIG to find some really cool items. Some stuff will be up to 70% off, or if you make us a good enough offer, we probably won't say no. Come be Indiana Jones of the photography world and find something truly unique to add to your collection!

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Film Development Workshop
Mar
17

Film Development Workshop

This 3 hour workshop will cover the entire film development (both B&W and C-41) process, including the following:

  • How to load your film into a development tank

  • How to mix up film development chemistry

  • Overview of the difference between B&W and C-41 chemistry

  • Basic development and troubleshooting

  • What supplies/materials you'll need to develop at home

  • Tips and tricks to make you a film development pro!

You’re only responsible for bringing 1 exposed roll of either B&W or C-41 Color Negative 35mm film to the workshop. (Sorry, no medium format 120 film)

You’ll leave the class with developed negatives and scans of the images you process.

Limit: 3 people per workshop


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Darkroom Print Making Workshop
Mar
16

Darkroom Print Making Workshop

This hands-on workshop gives you time at the enlargers and under the safelight with the guidance of a pro. We’ll teach you the basics of the community darkroom, and help you bring your negatives to life as physical prints. All you need to bring are a few black and white negatives you’d like to print along with your curiosity.

We’ll supply the paper and you’ll leave with fresh prints for your wall.

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Community Response to Ice Gallery Show
Mar
14

Community Response to Ice Gallery Show

Join us this Saturday, March 14th from 6-9 pm for the Community Response to Ice gallery show — featuring photography by Jon Chang, Jake Green, Rashad Griffin, and Brandon Pollard. This free event is also designed to raise funds for supporting local civil rights organizations, community groups, and mutual aid networks.

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Darkroom Print Making Workshop
Mar
14

Darkroom Print Making Workshop

This hands-on workshop gives you time at the enlargers and under the safelight with the guidance of a pro. We’ll teach you the basics of the community darkroom, and help you bring your negatives to life as physical prints. All you need to bring are a few black and white negatives you’d like to print along with your curiosity.

We’ll supply the paper and you’ll leave with fresh prints for your wall.

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Film Development Workshop
Mar
10

Film Development Workshop

This 3 hour workshop will cover the entire film development (both B&W and C-41) process, including the following:

  • How to load your film into a development tank

  • How to mix up film development chemistry

  • Overview of the difference between B&W and C-41 chemistry

  • Basic development and troubleshooting

  • What supplies/materials you'll need to develop at home

  • Tips and tricks to make you a film development pro!

You’re only responsible for bringing 1 exposed roll of either B&W or C-41 Color Negative 35mm film to the workshop. (Sorry, no medium format 120 film)

You’ll leave the class with developed negatives and scans of the images you process.

Limit: 3 people per workshop


View Event →
Darkroom Print Making Workshop
Mar
9

Darkroom Print Making Workshop

This hands-on workshop gives you time at the enlargers and under the safelight with the guidance of a pro. We’ll teach you the basics of the community darkroom, and help you bring your negatives to life as physical prints. All you need to bring are a few black and white negatives you’d like to print along with your curiosity.

We’ll supply the paper and you’ll leave with fresh prints for your wall.

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Community Zine Launch Party
Mar
7

Community Zine Launch Party

The 2025 Community Zine launch party and gallery show is happening this Saturday, March 7th from 6-9 pm, but WITH A TWIST! Half of the gallery show will be at Safelight Labs, and the other half will be on display a block away at Una Mas on Adams.

Come see what San Diego’s film photography scene has to offer and grab your copy of this year’s zine while you’re at it’To sweeten the deal, bring your proof of purchase over to Una Mas and enjoy exclusive food and drink specials made just for the occasion.

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Tamir Kalifa's Witness
Feb
15

Tamir Kalifa's Witness

A multimedia performance by photojournalist and musician Tamir Kalifa, invites audiences into the intimate moments behind the news headlines. Through live projections and music, Tamir weaves his original songs with his images, tracing stories of migration, survival, loss, and hope in a powerful, immersive experience.

“When it works, a photograph distills the great issues of our time into a universal moment that invites viewers to recognize part of themselves in the life of another, opening the door to deeper empathy, if not action…as I navigated the darkened hallways of despair, I found that people’s capacity for good, empathy, and hope lit the way forward.“ — Tamir Kalifa

Bear witness in the studio at Safelight Labs this Sunday, February 15th.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Show starts at 7 p.m.

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Zoom/Enhance Group Show
Nov
8

Zoom/Enhance Group Show

Come check take a closer look at this group show for photographers with an eye for detail. Magnifying glasses and a projector with 35mm slides will be provided for attendees to get lost in the grain.
BYOB.

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Color 35mm Film Developing Workshop
Sep
23

Color 35mm Film Developing Workshop

This 3 hour workshop will cover the entire film development process, including the following:

- How to load your film into a development tank
- How to mix up film development chemistry
- Basic development and troubleshooting
- What supplies/materials you'll need to develop at home
- Tips and tricks to make you a color film development pro!

You’re only responsible for bringing an exposed color 35mm film roll to the workshop.

You’ll leave the class with developed negatives and scans of the images you process.

Limit: 3 people per workshop

Click here to sign up today!

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Black and White Film Developing Workshop
Sep
16

Black and White Film Developing Workshop

This 3 hour workshop will cover the entire film development process, including the following:

- How to load your film into a development tank
- How to mix up film development chemistry
- Basic development and troubleshooting
- What supplies/materials you'll need to develop at home
- Tips and tricks to make you a development pro!

You’ll leave the workshop with developed negatives and scans of the images you processed.

1 roll of Ilford HP5+ is included with this workshop. This roll will need to be picked up from Camera Exposure and shot prior to the class.

Limit: 3 people per workshop

Click here to sign up today!

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Darkroom Print Making Workshop
Sep
13

Darkroom Print Making Workshop

We’ll teach you the basics of getting going inside the community darkroom, and help you bring your negatives to life as physical prints. This hands-on workshop gives you time at the enlargers and under the Safelight with the guidance of a pro. All you need to bring are a few black and white negatives you’d like to print and your curiosity. We’ll supply the paper and you’ll leave with fresh prints for your wall.

Click here to sign up today!

View Event →
Black and White Film Developing Workshop
Sep
2

Black and White Film Developing Workshop

This 3 hour workshop will cover the entire film development process, including the following:

- How to load your film into a development tank
- How to mix up film development chemistry
- Basic development and troubleshooting
- What supplies/materials you'll need to develop at home
- Tips and tricks to make you a development pro!

You’ll leave the workshop with developed negatives and scans of the images you processed.

1 roll of Ilford HP5+ is included with this workshop. This roll will need to be picked up from Camera Exposure and shot prior to the class.

Limit: 3 people per workshop

Click here to sign up today!

View Event →
Darkroom Print Making Workshop
Aug
30

Darkroom Print Making Workshop

We’ll teach you the basics of getting going inside the community darkroom, and help you bring your negatives to life as physical prints. This hands-on workshop gives you time at the enlargers and under the Safelight with the guidance of a pro. All you need to bring are a few black and white negatives you’d like to print and your curiosity. We’ll supply the paper and you’ll leave with fresh prints for your wall.

Click here to sign up today!

View Event →
Color 35mm Film Developing Workshop
Aug
26

Color 35mm Film Developing Workshop

This 3 hour workshop will cover the entire film development process, including the following:

- How to load your film into a development tank
- How to mix up film development chemistry
- Basic development and troubleshooting
- What supplies/materials you'll need to develop at home
- Tips and tricks to make you a color film development pro!

You’re only responsible for bringing an exposed color 35mm film roll to the workshop.

You’ll leave the class with developed negatives and scans of the images you process.

Limit: 3 people per workshop

Click here to sign up today!

View Event →
Park Print Swap
Aug
24

Park Print Swap

Join the Safelight Labs and Camera Exposure team as we celebrate the end of summer with a Print Swap!

Bring a blanket, your favorite beer or coffee, your friends, your dog and, most importantly, a print to trade with another photographer.

Any size print welcome. Open to all ages and types of photography.

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Darkroom Print Making Workshop
Aug
23

Darkroom Print Making Workshop

We’ll teach you the basics of getting going inside the community darkroom, and help you bring your negatives to life as physical prints. This hands-on workshop gives you time at the enlargers and under the Safelight with the guidance of a pro. All you need to bring are a few black and white negatives you’d like to print and your curiosity. We’ll supply the paper and you’ll leave with fresh prints for your wall.

Click here to sign up today!

View Event →
Black and White Film Developing Workshop
Aug
19

Black and White Film Developing Workshop

This 3 hour workshop will cover the entire film development process, including the following:

- How to load your film into a development tank
- How to mix up film development chemistry
- Basic development and troubleshooting
- What supplies/materials you'll need to develop at home
- Tips and tricks to make you a development pro!

You’ll leave the workshop with developed negatives and scans of the images you processed.

1 roll of Ilford HP5+ is included with this workshop. This roll will need to be picked up from Camera Exposure and shot prior to the class.

Limit: 3 people per workshop

Click here to sign up today!

View Event →
Darkroom Print Making Workshop
Aug
16

Darkroom Print Making Workshop

We’ll teach you the basics of getting going inside the community darkroom, and help you bring your negatives to life as physical prints. This hands-on workshop gives you time at the enlargers and under the Safelight with the guidance of a pro. All you need to bring are a few black and white negatives you’d like to print and your curiosity. We’ll supply the paper and you’ll leave with fresh prints for your wall.

Click here to sign up today!

View Event →

Stay tuned to this space for upcoming events.