Darkroom

[Deon Reynolds]

This was my darkroom at our last house, now all those parts are sitting in the garage where the new darkroom will be. First we are installing a salt-less water filter system, as we have hard water. Next a wall will be erected and windows covered (one will become a ventilation port). Luckily the garage was the previous owners wood shop, fully insulated and electrified, so not too many modifications will be needed.

I started out in the darkroom at age seven, when I saw my older brother with our fathers camera and asked if I could shoot it too. Dad load up his camera and sent me on my way. After I was done he took the roll of film and processed it in his darkroom. I wanted to do it again, but my father said no, he wasn’t going to be my darkroom slave. So, together we built a pinhole camera, loaded it with 4x5 film, shot a dozen sheets, then he showed me how to process and print my own film. The magic has and never worn off…

These images where created using a Nikon F3 with a 15mm f=5.6 lens. Kodak TMZ film pushed to 6400 ISO, hence the grain…

 

[Ozzie_Traveller]

G'day Deon

A very professional setup that obviously gave you many hours / days / of pleasure.

Phil

 

[RyanB]

Wow, great setup. Its almost the same size as my old uni darkroom!!

 

[DonS]

That is quite the setup and larger than either of my daughter's bedrooms.

 

[Snips]

Wow! Fantastic room and I love the photographs too - they add so much to the feel of this.

 

[Deon Reynolds]

That is quite the setup and larger than either of my daughter's bedrooms.

This darkroom was too big (12x24 feet), too many steps from enlarger to sink. I designed it thinking both Trish and I might be in it at the same time, that never happened (Trish is all digital now). The next darkroom will be smaller (9x18 feet), the two enlargers (Omega D5XL's cold light/colour) will be right next to each other opposite the sink, so I simply turn around to go from from easel to tray.

 

[Phill104]

Superb stuff. Wish I still had all the kit, it was so much fun. I can still remember the joy of seeing my first image magically appear in the schoolyard darkroom. I must have been about 8 and it really got me hooked. Looking forward to seeing how your new garage comes along.

 

[DonS]

The next darkroom will be smaller (9x18 feet),

Still larger than my daughter's bedrooms! That is a huge amount of space in a house.

 

[Trevor Gale]

Good to see other folk still using a darkroom (one with water etc.!)... I do digital (Canon EOS's) but now Mamiya with digital back (Phase One). However I still do quite a lot of film (the Mamiya kits let me opt for digital or film by changing the backs, normal with medium-format) - both colour and black & white. Not as large as the one you have there but 2.5m by 3.5m (about 8' 2" x 11' 6") and that does okay for me; I built it behind my radio workshop with double door entrance so light-tight.

 

[Purma Special]

The next darkroom will be smaller (9x18 feet)

Still way bigger than my first (and only) darkroom, which was in the pantry, and measured about 6 feet by 3 feet.

At one end of the room, was a wall-suspended, slatted, shelf, on which stood my enlarger, and the developing trays.

The remaining (roughly 3 feet by 3 feet) area was where I stood.

 

[Trevor Gale]

that's still enough room to do quite a lot, even if it would be a bit cramped at times. For film developing it's no problem!