access to darkrooms

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If one doesn't have money to get my own and no photographer friends, how would I go about getting access to a darkroom? Are there any resources available? I don't know...

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-- emily bate (moorej@voyager.net), September 11, 1999

Answers

Take some coolege photography courses. Many people get there darkroom training this way. James

-- james (james_mickelson@hotmail.com), September 12, 1999.

Hi Emily,

Despite the fact that my darkroom is a converted laundry room and that my set up cost me under Can$350, I do photograph professionally...that is, I am able to produce images that sell. I think a darkroom, however rudimentary, is an essential investment for any serious photographer. It is far cheaper than getting it professionally custom printed. Indeed, it is cheaper than darkroom rentals. Most importantly, you get to interpret your own image. On average, the initial investment will be equivalent to getting about 20 rolls of b&w(135-36) custom printed. I think it is well worth it. If you don't have the money now, start saving. You will love it. Lastly, if you are a student, you can always ask around to see if there is a camera club in school. In the university that I attend, I pay $20 for an entire year of darkroom use, including chemicals. Good luck.

-- David (dna2367@hotmail.com), September 12, 1999.


There is no substitute for your own darkroom. No matter how rudimentary, being able to print at your own pace, and knowing your own equipment, is essential to doing well at the craft. You should be able to pick up an older enlarger of some sort at a garage sale or flea market for $20-50. I've seen good usable ones for even less. With the same stuff, there is usually a disgusting box of old trays and maybe a plastic tank. Toss the tank and splurge another $40 on a stainless tank and some chemicals and paper. With some clever shopping, you should be able to set up the basics for under $100. Put the word out to friends, and any local photographers, and you may find that people have old equipment stashed away that they'd happily give away. People set up to process and print in bathrooms, basements, dorm rooms, etc. There's always a way if you really want to do it. Don't get the "equipment disease"- you can produce professional looking prints with some very primitive equipment. Let us know how you do and what avenue you end up taking.

-- Conrad Hoffman (choffman@rpa.net), September 12, 1999.

Try your local community center too. Ours here offers classes in black and white and color processing once or twice a year and the darkrooms are available to the public for a couple of bucks and they provide the chemicals (I would probably use my own chemistry though. Who knows what kinds of abuse the chemistry withstands before it is replaced).

-- Fritz M. Brown (brownf@idhw.state.id.us), September 15, 1999.

check with local photo shops there are many camera clubs around the country that have darkrooms. Our only requirment for darkroom use is active participation and current dues paid.

-- jim bowers (jkbowers@bright.net), September 23, 1999.


try yp.uswestdex.com Enter the category darkroom rent Enter your home town and state and click find it There are quite a few listed for most major cities.

Hope this helps

-- Andy Hughes (andy@darkroomsource.com), September 27, 1999.


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