Darkroom Portraits (Part 2)

[VinceInMT]

I've worked in a variety of darkrooms since the early 1970s. The first we in Army Special Services labs at Camp Drum, NY, Ft. Dix, NJ, and then Wackerheim, Germany. Once I got out I moved back to Southern California and used a temporary set up in an apartment bathroom before moving to a 2-bedroom duplex where the extra bedroom became the darkroom. I bought a house there and used the extra of the two bedrooms until kids came along and I was evicted to the garage. I eventually moved to Billings, MT and our house has a full basement and one of the rooms did have a window. Perfect. I had a plumbing issue and had to jackhammer the floor to fix a broken drain and, luckily, it was in that room so I stubbed up a sweep ell for a drain and brought hot and cold water in. It's simple and I am still using my 1970s equipment.

You can see some past and my current darkroom on this page:

http://www.codecooker.com/projects_photography/

Vince

 

[Arklatexian]

View attachment 193314 So this is my new set up , the exposing side, two Omega Condenser enlarger , one Devere, plus two plate burners, one quite a bit larger to handle bigger sheets.
What is new here is that I am going to replace all the fluorescents with tungsten light so not to harden gum, and now I am able to use all my exposing units in one room and process in the big sinks behind my back.
I am hoping to move my location in Sept 2019 to house a single floor facility where I can do all my work from beginning to end. The Darkroom/Dim room will be designed in a way that I can easily switch from process to process, including film processing and Lambda output easily, I hope to have beside this huge central Process room, my Scanning, Inkjet, Rooms and of course Mounting, Matt Cutting, and Frame Assembly area, which will have a small corner dedicated to a Still Life shooting space.
This will allow me as I age the ability to work on one floor, as well the sinks and workstations will be a low height (Dinesh pipe in here) so as to allow any future wheelchair access, by using floor drains and large water supply from hoses above I will be able to encircle the sinks which will be central for complete access.. I have been designing this work space in my mind for 30 years now and I have pretty much tried every configuration and I think I have a good handle .
You will notice the metal shelving.. this stuff is amazing in application and I plan to use it extensively to hold sinks, Scan Station, Computer Stations , and storage combined.

I plan to continue working for at least another 25 years and beyond, I have enough image content to keep working and I have a few dedicated clients who want this to happen. The Darkroom has been my constant companion, much a part of my life as my family. Luckily my wife is a darkroom worker so she supports this crazy Idea.. we all have heard of freedom 55 from the Banks propaganda.. Screw that freedom 95 is where its at.

Hang in there Bob! I will be 87 in March and still have the desire to get into the darkroom. Do remember, though, that the legs/feet do go first so figure on a way to sit and do your work in the future. The same might be true of your darkroom boss, so find her a stool to sit on also......Regards!

 

[Stephen Prunier]

View attachment 193314 So this is my new set up , the exposing side, two Omega Condenser enlarger , one Devere, plus two plate burners, one quite a bit larger to handle bigger sheets.
What is new here is that I am going to replace all the fluorescents with tungsten light so not to harden gum, and now I am able to use all my exposing units in one room and process in the big sinks behind my back.
I am hoping to move my location in Sept 2019 to house a single floor facility where I can do all my work from beginning to end. The Darkroom/Dim room will be designed in a way that I can easily switch from process to process, including film processing and Lambda output easily, I hope to have beside this huge central Process room, my Scanning, Inkjet, Rooms and of course Mounting, Matt Cutting, and Frame Assembly area, which will have a small corner dedicated to a Still Life shooting space.
This will allow me as I age the ability to work on one floor, as well the sinks and workstations will be a low height (Dinesh pipe in here) so as to allow any future wheelchair access, by using floor drains and large water supply from hoses above I will be able to encircle the sinks which will be central for complete access.. I have been designing this work space in my mind for 30 years now and I have pretty much tried every configuration and I think I have a good handle .
You will notice the metal shelving.. this stuff is amazing in application and I plan to use it extensively to hold sinks, Scan Station, Computer Stations , and storage combined.

I plan to continue working for at least another 25 years and beyond, I have enough image content to keep working and I have a few dedicated clients who want this to happen. The Darkroom has been my constant companion, much a part of my life as my family. Luckily my wife is a darkroom worker so she supports this crazy Idea.. we all have heard of freedom 55 from the Banks propaganda.. Screw that freedom 95 is where its at.

Looks and sounds Awesome Bob!! After taking 9 months off I've been putting my darkroom back together. I use a spare bedroom, and I can do everything but the final wash of film and prints. For that I go across the hall to the bathroom. I think about putting it in my basement, but the temperature swings to much, so that would need to addressed. Plus the concrete floor kills my knees. If I find some $$ then I would make the improvements needed. Time will tell.

 

[MegoApesNut]

My darkroom is ALMOST finished. Just waiting for the plumber to arrive and I will be up and running!! I built the enlarger "cabinet/stand" myself. Made the sliding "barn" doors from tongue and groove and attached with barn door hardware from Amazon. A friend of mine works with DuPont Corian and got me some pieces for next to nothing. I did all of the work on the room myself expect hanging the drywall. I framed the room, did all the wiring, trim, baseboard, etc. It took me almost a year to get it finished but the feeling of satisfaction is awesome. I have the shop vac venting outside to keep dust to a minimum. It also doubles as the vacuum for my vacuum easel. I cannot wait to get inside and start printing again after a 25 year hiatus!!

 

[Neal]

Nice!

 

[Stephen Prunier]

My darkroom is ALMOST finished. Just waiting for the plumber to arrive and I will be up and running!! I built the enlarger "cabinet/stand" myself. Made the sliding "barn" doors from tongue and groove and attached with barn door hardware from Amazon. A friend of mine works with DuPont Corian and got me some pieces for next to nothing. I did all of the work on the room myself expect hanging the drywall. I framed the room, did all the wiring, trim, baseboard, etc. It took me almost a year to get it finished but the feeling of satisfaction is awesome. I have the shop vac venting outside to keep dust to a minimum. It also doubles as the vacuum for my vacuum easel. I cannot wait to get inside and start printing again after a 25 year hiatus!!View attachment 195731 View attachment 195732 View attachment 195733

Looking AWESOME!!!!

 

[wyofilm]

Wow! That looks great!

 

[mshchem]

My darkroom is ALMOST finished. Just waiting for the plumber to arrive and I will be up and running!! I built the enlarger "cabinet/stand" myself. Made the sliding "barn" doors from tongue and groove and attached with barn door hardware from Amazon. A friend of mine works with DuPont Corian and got me some pieces for next to nothing. I did all of the work on the room myself expect hanging the drywall. I framed the room, did all the wiring, trim, baseboard, etc. It took me almost a year to get it finished but the feeling of satisfaction is awesome. I have the shop vac venting outside to keep dust to a minimum. It also doubles as the vacuum for my vacuum easel. I cannot wait to get inside and start printing again after a 25 year hiatus!!View attachment 195731 View attachment 195732 View attachment 195733

Very nice. I have an 8x10 Zone VI with the VC head, and a Zone VI VC head on a Beseler 4x5. I spy a Metrolux II timer. What a fabulous setup . With that timer you can do split contrast printing that will blow your sock off .
I bought an spare Metrolux II ,just in case. That is a beautiful space. There's simply nothing as rewarding, photographically, for me as nailing a really nice print. I have a great setup but you did it right by really making a lovely space . That’s awesome!
Best Regards Mike

 

[Neil Grant]

Here's part of my darkroom with, due to space limitations, a combined 'dry/wet' side. The sink is framed by a perspex 'window' on the LHS and white perspex, back and RHS, to form a splash back.

 

[mshchem]

Here's part of my darkroom with, due to space limitations, a combined 'dry/wet' side. The sink is framed by a perspex 'window' on the LHS and white perspex, back and RHS, to form a splash back.

Quite good! Nice enlarger ,I've been using a little Paterson focusing aid like that for ever. Very nice.
Best Mike

 

[joby]

Here's (two walls of) the darkroom i've been in for the last ~11 months.. doubles as the laundry laundry room. has gotten the job done! terrible faucet/sink basin set up, though. Unfortunately i'm moving at the end of the month and the future darkroom situation is unclear. Hoping for the best!

 

[Neal]

Dear joby,

Dead Link Removed

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

 

[joby]

Dear joby,

Dead Link Removed

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

Thank you Neal- if I don't get something set up soon after the move, I'll certainly stop by for a "print out" and possibly sign up for a month or two. Are you affiliated or a member?

 

[Neal]

Hi joby,

Several years ago I used it quite a bit when I had to drive my Wife for classes. It was located across the street from the Polish Museum. If you go to a Print Out, I'm sure you will get some good stories. The new one is wonderful but after working in the city for almost 6 years my Wife no longer requires a chauffeur so I've only been there once since the move. Great people. I use Spot Hero for parking.

Neal Wydra

 

[Rolfe Tessem]

My retirement gift to myself...

LPL1200 with VCCE head, ATL-1000 for film processing, Arkay drying cabinet, custom cabinets and sink.

 

[awty]

My retirement gift to myself...

LPL1200 with VCCE head, ATL-1000 for film processing, Arkay drying cabinet, custom cabinets and sink.

Very nice room, should have many years of enjoyment.
Could you post a closer picture of your work station around the enlarger?
Looks like a great set up, I'm very jealous.

 

[Rolfe Tessem]

Here is a view around the enlarger station, with lightbox to the right and R.H. Designs Analyzer Pro on the left...

 

[Stephen Prunier]

Here is a view around the enlarger station, with lightbox to the right and R.H. Designs Analyzer Pro on the left...
View attachment 201261

I just realized, were almost neighbors. Give or take a couple hours. Your darkroom looks AWESOME. Well done, and enjoy.

 

[awty]

Here is a view around the enlarger station, with lightbox to the right and R.H. Designs Analyzer Pro on the left...
View attachment 201261

Impressive. Thanks

 

[jack straw]

After trying a few configurations, I have finished my bathroom darkroom (at least for now), which I discussed in this thread. Thanks to all who gave advice. Also, these pictures were taken on a few different occasions. It's a little ugly but it works.

There is a wood panel with felt around the edges to partially black out the window, and then a blackout curtain to complete the seal. Another blackout curtain goes over the door. These were about $9 each I think on Amazon and work great. I used velcro tape (white, to match the bathroom trim) around the edges.

The enlarger is on a rolling tool chest I found at home depot. The top has a little lip around it that perfectly fits the enlarger baseboard, with a little gap in the front which is perfect for pencils and markers. The drawers work nicely for storage, and the top drawer is basically an extension of the "bench top." The only issue with this is that I pretty much have to put my timer on the floor, but it's not that big a deal to just press the button with my foot.

Two work lamps (reflectors removed) provide light. One did not make it into the picture, which has a 60w bulb, which I find ideal for inspection. 100w makes your prints wind up too dark when you look at them in a normal room.

The shelving was "HDX" brand at home depot, and it can be configured either vertically (I did not like this setup, but could come in handy), or horizontally by laying three shelves across the tub top with rubber bits to keep them from slipping. I did the latter today and it was a nice work surface. It was only $20 so I bought a second one set of shelves so that I could conceivably cut the "legs" in half and have more shelves at the same total height, or even use them across the tub with a second level on top, if that makes sense.

You can see the tray siphon drains into another plastic tub below - this is my 1 minute rinse between fix and HCA (I use the Ilford archival method). This avoids contaminating the final rinse as much, and the water in the bottom tub stays reasonably fresh for the purpose intended.

I ran a garden hose over from the sink to do the tray siphon. This hose is very handy for cleanup, also.

The whole setup packs in and packs out, and I have a large storage tub to put all the bits in to dry. It's really easy so just soap up the whole tub when I am done and rinse with the garden hose.

The only thing I don't like about this setup is that it takes a while to set everything up and take it down, but I think it's about as good as I can hope for given that this is pack in/pack out setup.

Any tips would be appreciated!

 

[Peter Schrager]

Jack I respect you for your creativity and determination..print on!!

 

[Peter Schrager]

Hello everyone
I've moved back east for now and do not have a darkroom..anyone here here in the tristate area (ny NJ ct)interested in opening their heart ; I mean their darkroom??...I can certainly share some great printing techniques
Just throwing this out as most people don't use their darkroom every day
Have a great day
Peter

 

[David Brown]

 

[Bob Carnie]

very nice efficient use of space David , I like the horizontal files under the enlargers as a good touch.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Hello everyone
I've moved back east for now and do not have a darkroom..anyone here here in the tristate area (ny NJ ct)interested in opening their heart ; I mean their darkroom??...I can certainly share some great printing techniques
Just throwing this out as most people don't use their darkroom every day
Have a great day
Peter

Peter You can always visit Toronto and use my darkroom, get a bunch of negs and work three or four days in a row.... Remember fish stinks after 4 days so I would boot you out but anytime, my space is yours.