Color of Darkroom

I would have gone with the "lighter walls are better" camp until recently, when I was trying to copy a print. When you are trying to copy a print without an image of the camera reflecting off of it, having the visual equivalent of an anechoic chamber would be a real help. I had to drape black cloth on the walls around the camera but the room still lit up too much for my tastes. If I ever build a darkroom I think I'll have at least 1/2 of it painted black for enlarging and print copying.

I think it is easier to add light when you have flat black walls that it is to take away light when you have light colored walls that reflect. Whatever it is, the overall design on how it is lit is what matters.

Early Riser said:

Eye fatigue becomes an issue for many people and it's exacerbated by going from a dark dark room into a bright room to view prints. I decided to paint my darkroom white except for the area right around the enlargers which is black. If I'm working on a dense negative and I need the DR darker, I can always turn down my safelights.

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I use a pair of red goggles when I need to go out of the darkroom. They preserve the low light vision needed with no adjustment time from a bright room into the darkroom. Been using them for many years.

Wade D said:

I use a pair of red goggles when I need to go out of the darkroom. They preserve the low light vision needed with no adjustment time from a bright room into the darkroom. Been using them for many years.

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Interesting idea. Like welding goggles? Or, where do you get the red goggles?

fotch said:

Interesting idea. Like welding goggles? Or, where do you get the red goggles?

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I bought them years ago at a local camera store. They are made specifically for darkroom use and have a ruby red lens and red side shields that fit to the face. Kind of like safety goggles for wood and metal working. I have no idea if they are still made or who would sell them.

Wade D said:

I bought them years ago at a local camera store. They are made specifically for darkroom use and have a ruby red lens and red side shields that fit to the face. Kind of like safety goggles for wood and metal working. I have no idea if they are still made or who would sell them.

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Reminds me of Pittsburgh Steel from the master himself (W. Eugene Smith):

Very cool picture. Smith was indeed a master.