The often unconsidered benefit of a darkroom.
Jan 14, 2018 11:59:51 #
LouV
Loc: Juno Beach, FL
The post about shooting b+w reminded me of one of my fondest memories of my darkroom days.
I started printing my own photos when I was in college. I commuted to school daily and still lived with my parents. My older sister had moved out so I set up my darkroom in her bedroom.
When my girlfriend, who was also interested in photography, would visit and my parents were home, we would often go into the darkroom and announce that we couldn’t be disturbed and, of course, the door needed to be locked. Ah, my parents, God rest their trusting souls!
Afterwards, I’d have to wet a few old prints and hang them in the bathroom to dry.
I started printing my own photos when I was in college. I commuted to school daily and still lived with my parents. My older sister had moved out so I set up my darkroom in her bedroom.
When my girlfriend, who was also interested in photography, would visit and my parents were home, we would often go into the darkroom and announce that we couldn’t be disturbed and, of course, the door needed to be locked. Ah, my parents, God rest their trusting souls!
Afterwards, I’d have to wet a few old prints and hang them in the bathroom to dry.
Jan 14, 2018 12:01:45 #
Jan 14, 2018 12:04:51 #
LouV wrote:
The post about shooting b+w reminded me of one of ... (show quote)
Reminds me when I was in college and had a darkroom, My line was to dates" I do some of my best work in the darkroom"
Never as lucky as you.
Jan 14, 2018 12:10:53 #
Jan 14, 2018 12:19:48 #
LouV wrote:
The post about shooting b+w reminded me of one of ... (show quote)
Been there, done that. My first year of college I was on a scholarship from a small town newspaper. I worked for the paper around my class schedule and did most of the darkroom work at night. My high school sweetheart would "assist" me in the glow of a safe-light until she had to go home and do her high school homework. Those were the days.
Jan 14, 2018 12:19:48 #
Jan 14, 2018 12:22:01 #
I loved, and still love, the solitude provided by the darkroom, which has now expanded to "The Lab". Yes, I still shoot film, as well as digital.
--Bob
--Bob
LouV wrote:
The post about shooting b+w reminded me of one of ... (show quote)
Jan 14, 2018 12:48:14 #
My old darkroom is now my smoking room because it has pretty good exhaust ventilation.
Jan 14, 2018 16:37:04 #
LouV
Loc: Juno Beach, FL
Fotoartist wrote:
My old darkroom is now my smoking room because it has pretty good exhaust ventilation.
Mine didn’t but I don’t think all those years of fumes affected me at all. Also, mine didn’t but I don’t think all those years of fumes affected me at all.
Jan 14, 2018 16:55:20 #
LouV wrote:
Mine didn’t but I don’t think all those years of fumes affected me at all. Also, mine didn’t but I don’t think all those years of fumes affected me at all.
The first time I mixed chemicals I thought I would pass out. The head photographer started laughing at me and told me not to hold my head directly over the mixing bucket. I still miss the smell of stop-bath. It kind of grows on you after a while.
Jan 14, 2018 17:06:20 #
Hi, Pounder. I just finished up a developing session. Geez, I love the smell of fixer.
--Bob
--Bob
pounder35 wrote:
The first time I mixed chemicals I thought I would pass out. The head photographer started laughing at me and told me not to hold my head directly over the mixing bucket. I still miss the smell of stop-bath. It kind of grows on you after a while.
Jan 14, 2018 18:17:16 #
LouV wrote:
The post about shooting b+w reminded me of one of ... (show quote)
Yeah, that puts an entirely new "twist " on the "often unconsidered benefits" of a darkroom, Yahoooo!
Jan 14, 2018 20:30:04 #
rmalarz wrote:
Hi, Pounder. I just finished up a developing session. Geez, I love the smell of fixer.
--Bob
--Bob
I've got a complete darkroom boxed up just waiting to set it up. Omega enlarger, 50 and 75mm Nikkor lenses, Time-O-Lite and Gralab timers, etc. Just need paper and chemicals. I bought a Mamiya 645 a few years ago just for B/W. Maybe one day I'll get a darkroom running again. Then again I think about digital being so much easier.
Jan 14, 2018 21:31:38 #
Pounder, if I lived anywhere close I'd be doing my best to inspire you to set it up and offer assistance when you did.
--Bob
--Bob
pounder35 wrote:
I've got a complete darkroom boxed up just waiting to set it up. Omega enlarger, 50 and 75mm Nikkor lenses, Time-O-Lite and Gralab timers, etc. Just need paper and chemicals. I bought a Mamiya 645 a few years ago just for B/W. Maybe one day I'll get a darkroom running again. Then again I think about digital being so much easier.
Jan 14, 2018 21:39:08 #
LouV wrote:
The post about shooting b+w reminded me of one of ... (show quote)
How long ago was this? Are your feelings still the same?
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.