Private Darkroom

[Wicksie]

Hi all,

I have a load of friends on another (bike) forum who are avid photographers, and we're keen to set up a darkroom.
We've got all the equipment between us but need somewhere to house it.

Has anyone any experience in home darkrooms or can think of ideas about where to do this (on the cheap!)

thanks all.

[tenchy]

Well constructed shed?

[Bandit]

Anywhere that is light sealed with access to water and a sink..I loved mine, but would so not bother now. :whistle3:

[~~Julie~~]

Years ago when I very first started photography I had mine in the attic. A bit of pain as I had to go down to the bathroom for the water. But I absolutely loved my darkroom. Even the smell!!! lol.

Wherever you set up, good luck and have loads of fun!!! :)

[tenchy]

Are there any special considerations for disposal of the used chemicals?

[~~Julie~~]

Are there any special considerations for disposal of the used chemicals?

There probably is nowadays, when I was doing it, abut 20 years ago, we used to just throw it down the sink or toilet!! oops!!

[Goldie]

Haven't been in a darkroom since I was at school in sussex and had a brief spell doing photography, I can still remember the smell :D - can't offer any advice though wicksie, sorry !

[Roger S]

Mine was a large walk in closet, with weather stripping and a lock installed inside the door. Just about any place you can seal out the light and intruders works well.
Roger

[Kenny]

Well..I have no sense of smell so the pong wouldnt be an issue.I can say that next year in the second semester I will be doing wet photography and cant wait to have a go.I used to shoot film but always had it developed. I do remember my Uncle( who was a pro photographer back in the day) always shot mono print film and only shot colour for slides and how I used to watch the photo magically develop in the tray.

good luck with your collective darkroom and maybe if you can,scan some of the photos and post them.

Bessy regs

Kenny

[kemp2906]

People use digital these days :)

Having said that a little room made dark, sorted :ok:

Kemp

[chaz]

Here is mine in a walk-in pantry, to the left all the shelves are intact with trays on 3 levels.

[kemp2906]

Bit of a red colour cast going on there Chaz ;)c.

Kemp

[Goldie]

lol here's the perfect dark room..

http://www.photography-forum.org/importedimages/imported/2009/10/3.jpg

sorry - had to be done:cray:

[Duncky]

There probably is nowadays, when I was doing it, abut 20 years ago, we used to just throw it down the sink or toilet!! oops!!

And that was wrong??:icon_nice

Its exactly how i got rid of my dev & fixer, and at about the same time as you too Julie.
I had to use my bedroom as i was still with my parents. What a pain it was blackening it all out and carrying made up chemicals from the kitchen through the house.
Loved it though!

[Anna Demand]

i must admit i do love the whole creation of a black and white photo from film. At college we have been shown how to develope whole rolls of negatives and how to make test sheets and contact sheets then photograms which i love doing and of course taking striking black and white photos and seing the uniquie way they develop. It is so far removed from digital. It seems to give an age to every photograph i take. I tend to go into the dark room when we dont have a whole class in there cos it just gets too noisy and then there is always someone opening up their mobile phone!!!!!!!!! or the door, which is a double door to get out but yet still someone manages to open both ,,,,,,,,even the tutor!!!!!!!! Oh and we just learnt solarisation, wow what a good effect that does. Darkrooms rule!!

[Anna Demand]

Well..I have no sense of smell so the pong wouldnt be an issue.I can say that next year in the second semester I will be doing wet photography and cant wait to have a go.I used to shoot film but always had it developed. I do remember my Uncle( who was a pro photographer back in the day) always shot mono print film and only shot colour for slides and how I used to watch the photo magically develop in the tray.

good luck with your collective darkroom and maybe if you can,scan some of the photos and post them.

Bessy regs

Kenny

yes the smell is like cheese and onion mixed with salt and vinegar at the same time, and if u get your fingers and chemicals mixed in it all they smell like fish, not nice, trust me.