Dark Room v/s photo editing software: I can remember the days I spent in the dark room transfixed watching the photo appear out of seemingly nowhere. I can be transfixed by watching...

tramsey Loc: Texas

I can remember the days I spent in the dark room transfixed watching the photo appear out of seemingly nowhere. I can be transfixed by watching the blotch disappear in Photoshop. I think I prefer todays P/P over the dark room. which do you prefer and if you can put your finger on it, why?

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I'll agree with today's methodology. I never enjoyed breathing those chemical fumes.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

I get your fascination with film Tramsey. Even though it has been over 45 years since my mother had a darkroom set up, there are definitely fond memories of that magic.

As for me, I prefer messing with digital because computers take up less space, they generally smell better and, lets face it, even low budget editors do things that take years to master in a darkroom, assuming that they can be done at all. Can we really compare dodge and burn techniques to such things as Adobe's Content Aware Fill? It's kind of like comparing a blueberry to a well cooked piece of filet mignon.

My vote, for what its worth, is with digital post production.

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Nope. I can't stand editing photos on the computer for too long. Whereas, my darkroom sessions can last up to 12 hours.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

If it takes 12 hours to pp edit your photos, we need to talk about your workflow :-)

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

I understand your thing with the darkroom, Darkroom but I had plenty ogf experience with chemicals in the late 70's and early 80's. I will stick to my computer, thanks but everyone is entitled to whatever floats their boat. This is what keeps life interesting.

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

I much prefer the digital darkroom. smells better and easier to use.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I miss the magic of the real darkroom vs the virtual one but I don't miss the chemicals and the time needed to crank out an image.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

GoofyNewfie wrote:

I miss the magic of the real darkroom vs the virtual one but I don't miss the chemicals and the time needed to crank out an image.

I miss the smell of acrid acetic acid. Smells like Dixie Bell Gin (Europe Class 6 stores; 95¢ per fifth -you just had to drink it before it dissolved the bottle)!

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Cdouthitt wrote:

If it takes 12 hours to pp edit your photos, we need to talk about your workflow :-)

I have put more than that amount of time into a single painting, so it really isn't that bad.

amehta Loc: Boston

tramsey wrote:

I can remember the days I spent in the dark room transfixed watching the photo appear out of seemingly nowhere. I can be transfixed by watching the blotch disappear in Photoshop. I think I prefer todays P/P over the dark room. which do you prefer and if you can put your finger on it, why?

Neither, I just take the shot and move on. :-)

rebride

For color I prefer digital, but black and white a darkroom.
I have even been contemplating putting my darkroom back together since the kids are out of the house (for now anyhow).
Also I can lock myself in for hours, whereas there are too many distractions when at my computer.

There is just something about a silver halide print.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

tramsey wrote:

I can remember the days I spent in the dark room transfixed watching the photo appear out of seemingly nowhere. I can be transfixed by watching the blotch disappear in Photoshop. I think I prefer todays P/P over the dark room. which do you prefer and if you can put your finger on it, why?

Apples and oranges. I only worked in a darkroom for a short time when I was in high school. As I recall, it was a major effort to get the chemicals out and set everything up. (I used a spare bathroom as I did not have a room that my parents would let me set up as a permanent work place) It was magical to see the images appear in the developer. Today it is all very accessible via the computer; but there is also a satisfaction about coming in from a shoot and having your images flash on the screen literally within seconds. I could have a darkroom set up in my house now; but I don't. I guess that is an indication of preference.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

tramsey wrote:

I can remember the days I spent in the dark room transfixed watching the photo appear out of seemingly nowhere. I can be transfixed by watching the blotch disappear in Photoshop. I think I prefer todays P/P over the dark room. which do you prefer and if you can put your finger on it, why?

Definitely prefer Photoshop over my darkroom. There are no weird smells, no nasty chemicals, and, best of all, while "developing" my pictures now, I can have a margarita and a plate full of jalapeño nachos while watching Star Trek.

Adrienne

I loved the magic that took place in the darkroom.
It began with leaving the outside world for this other
secret inside one, it was full of curious nose twitching
smells that breathed heavy like dark salta, heavy water,
Like they were alive.

The Magicians work as quickly as they can. Time
limitations of the actual chemicals batt the room.
Tick-tick-tick. Tray to tray. Developer. Wash.
Fixing Agent. Hang to dry. Like a piece of
white shirt now dring with design.

Nostalgically i find a darkroom prefersble.