The often unconsidered benefit of a darkroom (Page 2): Longer ago than I care to think. But, yes, I do miss working in the darkroom for reasons in addition to that particular...

LouV Loc: Juno Beach, FL

rehess wrote:

How long ago was this? Are your feelings still the same?

Longer ago than I care to think. But, yes, I do miss working in the darkroom for reasons in addition to that particular recollection. When I moved to Florida 13 years ago I gave away my Beseler M45 enlarger and I wish I hadn’t. Though, in truth, I doubt I’d still be using it much.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

LouV wrote:

Longer ago than I care to think. But, yes, I do miss working in the darkroom for reasons in addition to that particular recollection. When I moved to Florida 13 years ago I gave away my Beseler M45 enlarger and I wish I hadn’t. Though, in truth, I doubt I’d still be using it much.

I was wondering whether your attitudes about male-female "playing" have changed. I am now married, with a daughter the age I was when we got married and a daughter the age my wife was when we got married. Each has her own apartment and is responsible for her own behavior, but I think like a father now, so I don't see your story as demonstrating a "benefit" of a darkroom.

LouV Loc: Juno Beach, FL

rehess wrote:

I was wondering whether your attitudes about male-female "playing" have changed. .....

Ah, I see. Sorry I missed the point of your original question. Considering that we were both consenting adults of legal age, no, my attitude has not changed.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

LouV wrote:

The post about shooting b+w reminded me of one of ... (show quote)

Two of my closest friends, who were also professional photographers, died of lung cancer. They were non smokers but worked extensively in the dark room. I am happy to be through that part of my life, and I never want to go back to the stink of the darkroom or the potential health hazards it presented.

AGO

A few years ago I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer. Although the cause of multiple myeloma is not known, chemical exposure is suspect. I often wonder if the years I spent working in a poorly ventilated darkroom contributed to my disease.

ken glanzer

I really miss the days of contact paper as a much brighter safe light could be used. Also it had more sliver in it that gave a recognizable more desirable contrast & detail in the lower zones since the early days over fast enlarging paper. 4x5 & 8x10 film was so easy to work with & view without a mag lens & the greater detail in the enlargements.

DanielJDLM

Wow and I thought I was the only one who took advantage of all the opportunities a dark room offered. The time was the late 60's and a lot of sexual activity "developed" for me under the dim yellow glow. Both the girl and I were never "fixed" with birth control, and fortunately my "enlarger " always worked flawlessly.
Happy 2018 everyone.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I had a darkroom assistant who was overexposed and underdeveloped.

DanielJDLM wrote:

Wow and I thought I was the only one who took advantage of all the opportunities a dark room offered. The time was the late 60's and a lot of sexual activity "developed" for me under the dim yellow glow. Both the girl and I were never "fixed" with birth control, and fortunately my "enlarger " always worked flawlessly.
Happy 2018 everyone.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

LouV wrote:

The post about shooting b+w reminded me of one of ... (show quote)

On the flip side of that coin: after marriage when you needed alone time the darkroom was better than a man cave. The wife knew not to enter when the red light was on.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Rich1939 wrote:

On the flip side of that coin: after marriage when you needed alone time the darkroom was better than a man cave. The wife knew not to enter when the red light was on.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

rmalarz wrote:

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

Thanks! I'll make it happen one day. It'll probably be a couple of years down the road since most of my time is spent caring for my mom who has Alzheimer's.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

LouV wrote:

Longer ago than I care to think. But, yes, I do miss working in the darkroom for reasons in addition to that particular recollection. When I moved to Florida 13 years ago I gave away my Beseler M45 enlarger and I wish I hadn’t. Though, in truth, I doubt I’d still be using it much.

I had the 23C. Good enough for up to 2 1/4. I wish I still had it. Now I've got an Omega something in a box. It'll also do 2 1/4 but it's not built like the 23C. Those things were almost indestructible except for the bellows.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

pounder35 wrote:

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.

High School??? That figures!
That explains a lot!!! LoL
SS

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

SharpShooter wrote:

High School??? That figures!
That explains a lot!!! LoL
SS

What's wrong SS? You were too damn ugly and stupid to get some in high school. THAT explains a lot. Crawl back into The Attic and let the adults have a conversation.

Chwlo

I guess I was an early starter. I took photography in Highschool, and was on the Annual Staff. So I had daily access to the school darkroom.
All I will say is I have fond memories, and to the ones I share those memories with, Thank you. 😉