The Smell of a Well-Equipped Darkroom - alluring, or no?
Mar 1, 2019 12:46:20 #
boberic wrote:
Me too. I had an exhaust fan in my darkroom to lessen the smells. I rarely used it, too loud.
Many years ago - I had a window a/c unit in there, Bob. I just switched the fan on - on cooler days. In the summer - though - I had that thing on night and day. Then - I went with a central heating/cooling system and it was taken out and dumped. The new system incorporates exhaust, and an air modifier …
Mar 1, 2019 12:48:33 #
jaymatt wrote:
Breathing potentially poisonous chemical fumes? Nope, I don’t miss it at all.
But not nearly as poisonous as smoking non-filter cigarettes which I gave up and have no regrets.
Mar 1, 2019 13:05:38 #
FiddleMaker wrote:
But not nearly as poisonous as smoking non-filter cigarettes which I gave up and have no regrets.
ALL cigarettes are poisonous to your system, Fiddle … much more so than darkroom chemicals …
Mar 1, 2019 13:55:37 #
Chris T wrote:
ALL cigarettes are poisonous to your system, Fiddle … much more so than darkroom chemicals …
Yes, no argument from me on this issue. I wish I had given them up much earlier. But "better late than never" as the expression goes.
Mar 1, 2019 14:52:10 #
FiddleMaker wrote:
Yes, no argument from me on this issue. I wish I had given them up much earlier. But "better late than never" as the expression goes.
Good, Fiddle … personally, I would never DREAM of smoking in a darkroom - think about what all that smoke does to enlarger lenses, and glass carriers - to think of nothing more damaging than to negs, too.
And, getting the ash and other pollutants into the developer, as well … yuck!!!
I don't even allow smoking in my HOUSE - never mind the darkroom …
Tobacco - in general - wreaks havoc on all parts of your body - making you more prone to other illnesses.
Mar 1, 2019 18:11:13 #
Chris T wrote:
Well, Bob … so glad you've found a scent to cover the smell of the non-chemicals used in your Digital DR!
Chris. I think you missed my point. There is NO smell caused by my digital darkroom.
Mar 1, 2019 19:20:29 #
Largobob wrote:
Chris. I think you missed my point. There is NO smell caused by my digital darkroom.
I missed nothing, Bob .. you indicated you liked the smell of Cinnamon candles for your Digital Darkroom.
I think you mis-read my comment … read it again …
BTW … my OWN favorite - for MY Digital Darkroom - is Candlelite's Cinnamon Pecan Swirl …
Try it - you might LIKE it … Mikey does!!!!!!
Mar 1, 2019 19:42:38 #
I have set up my darkroom over the past three years with three enlargers set up for color/B&W from 35mm to 4x5. I also have trays/print drums to print from 4x6 to 20x24, including my JOBO for under $500 USD.
I love digital. I love film. I love photography.
BTW, I started shooting film after starting with digital. The darkroom helps me understand the digital workflow so much better.
Where is rpavich in this discussion???
I love digital. I love film. I love photography.
BTW, I started shooting film after starting with digital. The darkroom helps me understand the digital workflow so much better.
Where is rpavich in this discussion???
Mar 1, 2019 20:09:50 #
rb61
Loc: Maple Grove, MN
The most intense light in the world was that which creeped under the darkroom door.
Mar 2, 2019 01:31:48 #
rb61 wrote:
The most intense light in the world was that which creeped under the darkroom door.
Ever heard of stick-on Insulation strips - like the ones you get for applying around a window-unit A/C?
RB - close the darkroom door, willya? ... You'll let all the dark out!!!!
Mar 2, 2019 01:36:27 #
Tim Stapp wrote:
I have set up my darkroom over the past three years with three enlargers set up for color/B&W from 35mm to 4x5. I also have trays/print drums to print from 4x6 to 20x24, including my JOBO for under $500 USD.
I love digital. I love film. I love photography.
BTW, I started shooting film after starting with digital. The darkroom helps me understand the digital workflow so much better.
Where is rpavich in this discussion???
I love digital. I love film. I love photography.
BTW, I started shooting film after starting with digital. The darkroom helps me understand the digital workflow so much better.
Where is rpavich in this discussion???
Dunno, Tim … perhaps, he's occupied elsewhere?
Have three, too, Tim … 45MX, 23C, another 21/4"x31/4" Vivitar - I use for proofing. Also have trays from 5x7" all the way up 20x30" … been in this for quite some time - 50 years, now … love photography, too.
Mar 2, 2019 06:09:24 #
My uncle had a photography business inherited from his dad. It was the first such business in the city of Hampton Va. I remember as a very young kid, going into the developing room. Red lights and a huge circulating tank with prints washing around in it. And the smells. Will never forget that experience.
Mar 2, 2019 06:15:34 #
It’s been many years, but I remember the days of film and the darkroom well. I haven’t set foot in a real darkroom in 46 years now... made the switch to digital since I moved to Md. Retired now, and building our retirement home close to our granddaughter (5 months old). I have already designated a space to put in a darkroom. Not to make money, but because I enjoy it....
Mar 2, 2019 06:43:57 #
Gene51 wrote:
Love the memories, don't miss the stench and mess.
The moment I stepped through the L-shaped hallway into the full room sized darkroom back in 1969 at the service club on post, I got "hooked" big time doing large prints. The equipment was there to even do poster sized prints. My rolling duty hours allowed me to do prints at all odd hours, when the darkroom was somewhat unoccupied. (There were times that it was elbow to elbow.) I do miss those days because I was able to get as creative as I wanted.
There is a wide canyon between doing photography in a lab and doing on the computer. That canyon still exists.
Mar 2, 2019 07:39:49 #
chazz4623
Loc: Prairieville, La
I remember working in a commercial developing/printing business as a young college student. All the pleasant and unpleasant odors were there as well as the splash from the large mixing tanks used to supply the processes. I got quite a lot of chemical burns on my forearms from (especially) the acetic acid, had to get and use shoulder length rubber gloves to stop that (along with a rubber shop apron). The experience was priceless and tho it was 50+ years ago, I'd still like to set up my own darkroom but everything else seems to get ahead of my fantasies. I don't suppose that happens to anyone else? BTW, thanks for the memories.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.