Establishing your own darkroom can be an enchanting journey, enabling you to process film manually and make prints with unrivaled precision and consistency.
Traditionally, amateur photographers would set up their darkrooms in family bathrooms or basements. Though these darkrooms were often run-down and filled with spider webs, they served their purpose.
An effective darkroom requires an enlarger, a lightproof room, photo paper, timers and several other essential tools and supplies.
Equipment
Moving an analog image from film to print requires special conditions – pitch black conditions – in order for it to function accurately, so processing and printing at home should take place in a darkroom – whether a makeshift setup in your basement room, a dedicated darkroom space or any space which has enough light-blocking material and room for an enlarger, chemicals, and paper.
An enlarger is essential to starting up any darkroom. Although there are various models of enlargers available, for beginners it is best to begin with something basic; online retailers or photography stores often sell simple models at reasonable prices. There are also darkroom kits that include everything needed to begin in a darkroom environment.
Timers or timers are essential when timing film development. Additionally, thermometers can help record temperatures needed when working with color processes; I prefer digital thermometers calibrated specifically for darkroom use but mercury ones work just as well. Finally, any windows must be covered as even minimal amounts of light may interfere with developing and printing processes.
As part of any wet processing setup, a sink for wet processing tasks is also essential. While it would be ideal to have this handy, some photographers use counters or tables in their kitchen or bathroom instead for wet steps. Running hot and cold water must also be readily accessible; and for chemical solutions requiring rinsing, proper ventilation must be considered to avoid toxic fumes arising during processing.
Most home photographers who want to set up a darkroom typically start with black and white processes, which require less temperature control than certain color processes and provide a great introduction. Once they have become proficient with black and white photography, then more complex color processes may become possible – just do a penny test on Ilford Multigrade paper first to ascertain how long you should stay in your darkroom safely!
Workspace
Crafting analog photos from film requires several intricate processes that take place in complete darkness, and any amount of light that disrupts this process could result in blank pictures and much frustration. Therefore, it’s crucial that you set up a darkroom where you can use for extended periods at a time with ample storage for all your supplies.
Home darkrooms, whether temporary or more permanent, generally fall into two distinct sections: the “wet” side where chemicals will be handled and the “dry” side where you’ll store developing paper and equipment. It is advisable to divide these areas as much as possible to prevent contamination of your work; additionally you’ll want a space to store trays with chemicals easily nearby (although a changing bag could serve this function too); plus running water should always be nearby – though not essential!
Finding a room without windows or any light leaks is essential to creating total darkness, such as a closet, basement or bathroom. Seal doors tightly and tape over any potential light leaks before beginning work at night when it is darker outside; working during these hours means less need to leave lights illuminated in your workspace.
Some photographers set up their darkrooms in laundry rooms or bathrooms, but a more permanent setup is ideal. A table or countertop for working is necessary in your darkroom; in addition, some form of storage system such as cabinets with shelves for film trays may be helpful or perhaps something more innovative such as a stool with drawer storage is essential for film and paper storage needs.
Home darkroom construction can be straightforward and affordable alternative to professional lab processing of photographs, not to mention immensely satisfying as you watch your images come alive on paper after being submerged in developer. So whether you are an seasoned photographer looking to explore film processing further or an enthusiast dipping their toe into this exciting hobby, consider purchasing a DIY darkroom kit today.
Lighting
Assembling your own darkroom is an incredible journey that allows you to take control of the photographic process. While machine prints from professional labs may lack personality and personal touches, hand processing photos yielding incredible results can only be obtained through manual processing yourself. Be it permanent or temporary setup in your basement, creating your own darkroom is an affordable way to experience silver gelatin printing as both meditation and pleasure!
Light, paper and chemicals are the fundamental elements of any darkroom; however, a few other items will also be necessary for its smooth running. Above all else, safelights will be invaluable in seeing your workspace without damaging photo paper or chemicals; you can find these at photography stores or opt for bright, sturdy table lamps designed specifically for photo development.
Your darkroom needs a tray for holding chemicals and a water bath for rinsing prints after processing, both clearly marked; any mistaken placement of an item into the wrong tray could ruin prints. Finally, be sure to provide fresh running water; some jurisdictions don’t permit chemical waste used in darkrooms to be dumped down sinks or flushed away after use.
If you prefer working in less darkness, a lightless print station provides all of the same functions of a darkroom while only using minimal illumination. A lightproof screen should be placed over any light sources to protect your eyes from UV radiation exposure and processing film or prints manually rather than with an enlarger will be necessary.
Many amateur photographers create darkrooms in their homes, and these spaces can take many shapes. Some are temporary closets while others can be full-fledged laboratories in basements. Permanent fixtures or assembled as needed when required; depending on each photographer’s workflow. A darkroom starter kit with an enlarger is an excellent place to begin exploring this form of photography.
Storage
Darkrooms give film photographers a way to bring back some of the magical nature of traditional photography to its roots. The process involves special steps that require total darkness so as to prevent even the slightest light from ruining everything, creating an addictive hobby with satisfying senses of accomplishment and respite from digital immediacy of modern photography.
Home darkroom kits provide the ideal way to experience film development on both an amateur or professional level, offering everything from basic equipment and supplies for starting to develop film on film to full darkroom solutions for creating an analog photography setup in any closet or basement space. But which are necessary components needed to establish an analog photography space? In this buying guide we explore all essential equipment necessary for building a pop-up darkroom in any setting.
Darkrooms rely heavily on lighting control to effectively block ambient light, meaning ensuring there are no windows in the area where you plan on working, no light coming through cracks or holes, and that no light leaks in around doors – any light that does seep through should be patched immediately with cardboard or heavy fabric patches, while any that leak in around doors should have black fabric tied along its edge to stop light entering into your darkroom.
Once the area is secured, make sure that it’s divided into two distinct areas – wet and dry – in order to create an efficient working space that protects developing materials from accidental contamination, while making sure you can easily locate all the tools and supplies you require for working in the darkroom. Furthermore, keep some cabinets or cupboards handy where all your darkroom chemistry and supplies can be stored when working in the darkroom.
If you plan on working in color photography, make sure that both your enlarger and chemicals are suitable. Different sets of colors and processes will need to be utilized during color processing; additionally, having access to a bathtub or other suitable place allows you to rinse prints after developing so as to avoid smudging them after development is important as well.