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I'm old school film and darkroom trained......
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Jun 4, 2018 22:24:03   #
R.Rick Hollon
 
Does anyone think a class on Basic B/W film complete with darkroom classes would go over just to keep it from completely dying out? I would hate to see it die out. I had so many good times processing and printing.

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Jun 4, 2018 22:49:42   #
Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx
 
That’s the way I started in pohotography as well and I think you may have something here. Lately, I find myself missing Tri-x processed with HC-110. Am thinking of dragging out an old Mimaya then process Tri-x to negatives and use a film scanner to bring the images into Lightroom. I bet others would be interested in this technique as well as it blends the best creativity and artistry of the past with the convenience and flexibility of the present.

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Jun 4, 2018 22:55:55   #
Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN
 
R.Rick Hollon wrote:
Does anyone think a class on Basic B/W film complete with darkroom classes would go over just to keep it from completely dying out? I would hate to see it die out. I had so many good times processing and printing.


Most universities and colleges still have darkroom. I work at museum printing in the darkroom from old negatives for our reference collection. I also make copy negatives and prints of out our more fragile prints. Depending on where you are such a class could be well received.

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Jun 4, 2018 23:01:01   #
ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL
 
R.Rick Hollon wrote:
Does anyone think a class on Basic B/W film complete with darkroom classes would go over just to keep it from completely dying out? I would hate to see it die out. I had so many good times processing and printing.


R.Rick Hollon, I think you may have something here, as long as you use the class to teach and maintain "the old school alive" by also bringing the results into modern photography I'm sure you will have many takers.

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Jun 4, 2018 23:12:31   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
R.Rick Hollon wrote:
Does anyone think a class on Basic B/W film complete with darkroom classes would go over just to keep it from completely dying out? I would hate to see it die out. I had so many good times processing and printing.
In the right location, it would work. That is how I learned but gave up printing when I could no longer get my favorite fil, film developers and double weight papers.

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Jun 5, 2018 01:08:28   #
Paul Moshay Loc: Los Angeles, CA
 
R.Rick Hollon, I am reasonably sure you would have a lot, well many, takers for your idea. It may depend on the location. Like you, I spent a lifetime in my darkroom, which I still use, though not too often lately. I have a large box of B&W films in the freezer just waiting to be used in my Leica and Rollei. I say, go for it!

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Jun 5, 2018 02:42:40   #
R.Rick Hollon
 
Thank you all for your feedback. I live in the Tampa Bay area and there are a lot of artsy people here. I'm on disability from terminal cancer that I beat and will be looking into a grant for it. If you know anyone who might want to donate any equipment this would put me a head of the situation. Thanks again I now know I'm not going crazy. LOL
Rick

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Jun 5, 2018 03:20:45   #
Paul Moshay Loc: Los Angeles, CA
 
Rick, what sort of equipment would you need for this?
Paul

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Jun 5, 2018 06:10:09   #
elliott937 Loc: St. Louis
 
I second Darkroom317's idea. While I moved from my own wet darkroom in my home to all digital, I'm sympathetic to anyone who wants to continue darkroom work. My own university, where I teach, proudly has a film/darkroom class. Check out what might be available near you, and don't overlook a community/junior college.

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Jun 5, 2018 06:18:44   #
Largobob
 
Sure. Some really good times can be spent in a dark room. <big grin>

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Jun 5, 2018 07:18:21   #
ELNikkor
 
my 20 year old is interested in the old ways. I still have the equipment, just have to dig it out and set it up in the cellar, maybe this summer. Our high school still teaches it too.

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Jun 5, 2018 07:28:40   #
E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
 
Niche markets and areas of interest emerge in photography all the time. As an example, Facebook now has several very active groups of film, medium format and even one dedicated to Greflex press cameras and ancient gear of that particular brand. The old adage is that "Everything old becomes new again" is alive and well in photography.

In my city, a school of photography opened up a few years ago that only offers programs in analog/silver/chemical/darkroom based work. It recently expanded into a newer and larger facility. There are both "old timers" and new folks to the craft attending and supporting the school. They have an annul exhibition which is very popular. There is a small camera store that thrives on the few film and chemistry supplies that are still in manufacture. There is only one lab remaining in the city that offers E-6 and C-41 processing for those who do not wish to handle that aspect of production- they too are kept pretty busy.

A few yeas ago, some of the used camera dealers where throwing their inventory of old enlargers in the dumpsters behind their stores. They were just to big and bulky and took up too much storage and display space- go figure? I also find it rather amusing that younger folks are just DISCOVERING with glee, stuff that I sold off, gave away or donated many decades ago- "WOW- I just found a Speed Graphic at the charity shop" postings make a big hit on theses online Facebook group forumes. One group prohibits any discussion of digital gear or methods.

I too, have a warm place in my heart of the darkroom but at this point in time it is strictly nostalgia. As a full time professional photographer I spent many hours in the darkroom and color lab. I maintained 3 labs in my studio up until 8 years ago when I made the transition into a fully digital production facility. Up to that point, I still offered a number of services including black and white portraiture in the old school tradition. Sadly, most of the finest papers and accompanying chemistry are no longer in manufacture and producing "scratch" chloro-bromide formulations was not practical. Commercial clients demand digital media so the darkrooms were finally closed down.

I think your idea has some merit, business wise. My suggestion is to put out some feelers in your community or city. If there is still a local camera retailer in you local, network with them. Check out the camera clubs and existing photography programs at the "Y" or community centers. Give a class or two- perhaps just a lecture and slide show and see what the reaction is.

Check out E-bay and Kijiji- I noticed a few adds for entire darkroom setups going for next to nothing. One advertiser just wanted someone to haul away his stuff including a 4x5 Bessler enlarger! I had to pay someone to remove an 8X10 Elwood enlarger out of the place- the chassis was made of cast iron- the thing probably weight upwards of 400 lbs.

If I tell you what I just gave away, you will probably develop a stomach ache so I will skip the gory details!

Best regards and good luck.

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Jun 5, 2018 07:36:36   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
Rick, there are several darkroom opportunities to my location. One of the better is Art Intersection. It's a classroom, complete lab, and gallery all in one location. So far this year, I've shot more film than digital. Though a lot of my digital were test and calibration work.
--Bob
R.Rick Hollon wrote:
Does anyone think a class on Basic B/W film complete with darkroom classes would go over just to keep it from completely dying out? I would hate to see it die out. I had so many good times processing and printing.

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Jun 5, 2018 08:00:37   #
Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)
 
Several years ago I sold all of my darkroom equipment (enlarger, film holders, grain focuser, easel, trays, lights ... a complete darkroom) to a collage student for $200. I knew it was a low price but he was a student and really couldn't afford too much and I hadn't used the equipment
in over 20 years. I considered it as "Passing it Forward".
After reading some of the posts I got curious about prices of my Bessler 23C and accessories ... YIKES!

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Jun 5, 2018 08:35:19   #
Skiextreme2 Loc: Northwest MA
 
You might talk to a local community college and ask if they get requests for B&W film classes (if they don't have them already). And, as others have mentioned, ask at local camera clubs too. If the need is there, go for it.

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