Bedroom to Dry Darkroom Conversion Project

480sparky · Mar 10, 2015

And so it begins.

Having mulled it over, I decided to convert a spare bedroom into a dry darkroom. My goal is to have a 'permanent' darkroom set up, but one that can easily be dismantled should the need for the space require it be a bedroom again. So after a bit of planning, measuring and scheming, the project was commenced. I started last night cleaning some of the stuff out, and this morning took the bed apart.

My biggest issue is a window on a south-facing wall, making it light-tight and all. But I didn't want a permanent cover. So I stopped by the local fabric store and picked up some black felt, and a couple 2x2s at Home Depot. I cut the 2x2's to fit snugly in the window opening, holding the black felt up... basically it's all friction-fit. As expected, it doesn't stop all the light,

but I have some old paneling laying around that I will screw to the 2x2s to complete the light trap. The felt is more to seal around the perimeter of the makeshift frame.

Once this is done, I will simply lean the bed up against that part of the wall & window. Then I will start building some simple 2x4/plywood work areas, one to hold the enlarger and another for the various trays. The enlarger will be on the left side of the image, and the trays between it and the corner.

frank · Mar 10, 2015

If there happens to be a washroom next to this bedroom, it may be pretty easy to bring in water and a drain. It's what I did.

480sparky · Mar 10, 2015

Plumbing is in the bathroom next to the bedroom, but on the opposite wall.

And no basement.

Plus, adding plumbing is not something that's easily reversed.

480sparky · Mar 10, 2015

Window successfully darkened.

Carcass for workspace built.

Gonna cut the plywood before it gets too dark, then call it good for the night.

480sparky · Mar 10, 2015

Plywood tops installed, and most of the gear has been hauled in.

frank · Mar 10, 2015

I remember building my darkroom counters with my son in a backpack on my back while I was home on paternity leave. (My wife and I split the time home.)

Sirius Glass · Mar 10, 2015

I too had changed a bedroom to a dry darkroom. When I want to block the light, I have a flattened box with the edges taped together with gaffers tape. I put the cardboard between the window and the blinds. Then I hang the dark cloth with velcro on the walls. I can remove the covers when it is not a darkroom.

Jedidiah Smith · Mar 11, 2015

Looking good! Inspiring me to get moving on this utility room that we're going to set up a darkroom in for Kat. I was looking at getting some cabinets, but would be more reasonable to do the 2x4 and plywood treatment like this.

480sparky · Mar 11, 2015

Everything is pretty much done. I just need to tidy up the cords and I'm ready to get going.I built a little cabinet to hold the small stuff, and added a couple shelves. I found a new/old stock light, so I got some zip cord and a pull chain for it.

I also found an old radio/CD player. It may or may not work, but if it does I can at least enjoy some oldies while souping things up.

Sirius Glass · Mar 11, 2015

Where is your drum print dryer? You need one of those.

frank · Mar 11, 2015

I hope that fluorescent light is temporary. They continue to emit/glow after being shut off.

zehner21 · Mar 11, 2015

Why are you keeping the radio above the trays?

480sparky · Mar 11, 2015

frank said:
I hope that fluorescent light is temporary. They continue to emit/glow after being shut off.

This one doesn't.

zehner21 said:
Why are you keeping the radio above the trays?

I'm not. I just put it up there to get it out of the way for the time being.

Mainecoonmaniac · Mar 11, 2015

Cool darkroom! If it has carpet, it can be problematic because of dust. Your florescent light fixture might glow a bit after Turning it off. I built mine 30 years ago and it's a sanctuary of creativity. Hope you get to use it a lot.

Sirius Glass · Mar 12, 2015

Mainecoonmaniac said:
Cool darkroom! If it has carpet, it can be problematic because of dust.

The carpet has never been a dust problem in my dry darkroom. Every once in a while the vacuum cleaner needs to get used.

480sparky · Mar 12, 2015

[video=youtube;U0cOoHu7uOE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0cOoHu7uOE[/video]

Sirius Glass · Mar 13, 2015

Enjoy

maciekz · Mar 13, 2015

480sparky said:
This one doesn't.

Sorry, but you I think you are mistaken, maybe because your darkroom is not dark enough. The light can be easily seen for more than one hour after turning off any florescent light. If you don't, wait a couple of minutes first to let your eyes adapt to darkness.

480sparky · Mar 13, 2015

maciekz said:
Sorry, but you I think you are mistaken, maybe because your darkroom is not dark enough. The light can be easily seen for more than one hour after turning off any florescent light. If you don't, wait a couple of minutes first to let your eyes adapt to darkness.

I'm more than aware of the effect. I'm an electrician by trade.

I'm also more than aware of the need to dark adapt one's eyes. I've been involved with darkrooms, as well as astronomy, since the early 70's. So you're not educating me on someting I need to know.

And no, this one does not.

jerrybro · Mar 14, 2015

I've had 2 darkrooms that were both without running water and had no problems, as running water was nearby. The first was a bedroom with a blacked out window. The 2nd was one I built in the basement of a house we were renting. Just 3 walls with a door and a table made from an old hollow core door. My current darkroom is an apartment I live in during the week. The enlarger is in the dining area, I have a small folding table in the kitchen for my Jobo or trays. I should post a picture of the dining area, wood floors, small chandelier and a 45MCRX. It proves that you can really do B&W developing just about anywhere.

mdarnton · Mar 14, 2015

Several of the darkrooms I had over the years were in dry rooms. One even had a carpet! The one thing I can suggest that you aren't doing is to lay down a line of a couple of layers of newspapers under your trays. They won't help in a big spill, but they will catch all of the little splashes and drops that usually happen. If you keep neat, you don't have to replace them every time; if something worse happens, just roll them up and throw them away.

Ronald Moravec · Mar 14, 2015

Black out shades in addition to the felt/ Home depot. Size them so they extend well past the window.

Foam core could be added to the frame. Dick Blick.com IT IS VERY LIGHT weight.

In my college days, I had an an apartment and worked at night on the floor. Slightly rural area. 52 bypass not the of West Lafayette in 1964. Would not work today

Sirius Glass · Mar 14, 2015

The best thing I found for spills is Sham-Wow. Worth much more than they cost and they really clean up spills quickly.

whojammyflip · May 4, 2015

I just covered up the windows by building some frames using a mitre saw. The wood cost about GBP 10 in all. I needed some bubble wrap for making the frame a push fit, and some curtain black out material. I don't believe a darkroom has to be completely light tight. It depends on the distance to any light leaks (inverse square law etc), and the size of the light leaks. I'm using a darkroom automation meter, and can see the inverse square law in action, although I am sure it was not designed for calculating safe distances from light leaks in a darkroom.

480sparky · May 4, 2015

hoojammyflip said:
.........I don't believe a darkroom has to be completely light tight.............

Bedroom to Dry Darkroom Conversion Project

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