Darkroom Portraits (Part 2)

[MurrayMinchin]

Where are the pig trough mats?

You, Sir, have a formidable memory, although they were actually baby pig heat mats.

They will be coming later, once actual living, breathing images on paper are being made!

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Then again...seedling heat mats for greenhouses are waaaaay cheaper

https://indoorfarmer.ca/products/hydrofarm-seedling-heat-mat

 

[MattKing]

You, Sir, have a formidable memory, although they were actually baby pig heat mats.

It remains my favourite APUG or Photrio thread title of all time: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/sue-weeee.25459/

 

[fiddle]

I tried one of them seeding mats once. It really didn't do much. Ended up sending it back.

 

[Kino]

Got some cabinets installed over the sink, but I'm not sure I like them. Probably should have stuck to open shelving, which would have given me more storage space, but I was convinced I needed enclosed storage for my raw chemistry and lab ware. This is going to interfere with my slot processor too unless I turn it sideways and process front to back. Might have to relocate the print dryer and extend the sink shelf a bit. Dang...

 

[awty]

Finished the enlarger bench 3.9mtr Lx 1 Hx 0.8 D.
Will easily fit my L1200 and 1000 Dursts as well as a Meopta 3 and a copy stand.
Nice to have a bench at a proper height.
I bought 2x industrial slide out draws that will hold the trough they are 1mtr wide, 1.2 D and 0.2 H. Be able to store large photo paper mat board and other sheets. Also will be able to use the draws as a work bench.

 

[awty]

Also more importantly have the start of my hifi.

Unfortunately it's only yucky digital after I connected a router. Cat plugs are a pain.

 

[Kino]

Finished the enlarger bench 3.9mtr Lx 1 Hx 0.8 D.
Will easily fit my L1200 and 1000 Dursts as well as a Meopta 3 and a copy stand.
Nice to have a bench at a proper height.
I bought 2x industrial slide out draws that will hold the trough they are 1mtr wide, 1.2 D and 0.2 H. Be able to store large photo paper mat board and other sheets. Also will be able to use the draws as a work bench.
View attachment 293063

Nice, nice!

Also more importantly have the start of my hifi.
View attachment 293080
Unfortunately it's only yucky digital after I connected a router. Cat plugs are a pain.

I have an audio system to install as well, but my room will be like an echo chamber, so I am trying to figure out some form of sound treatment that won't disintegrate in a darkroom environment. Anti fatigue mats should help some, but my walls are highly reflective. Guess we will see...

 

[Renato Tonelli]

Got some cabinets installed over the sink, but I'm not sure I like them. Probably should have stuck to open shelving, which would have given me more storage space, but I was convinced I needed enclosed storage for my raw chemistry and lab ware. This is going to interfere with my slot processor too unless I turn it sideways and process front to back. Might have to relocate the print dryer and extend the sink shelf a bit. Dang...

View attachment 291623

I like the idea of cabinets; makes the place feel less cluttered, keeps dust out. I opted for shelves in my newish darkroom because of expense and the time it would have taken to build them.

 

[CMoore]

Also more importantly have the start of my hifi.
View attachment 293080
Unfortunately it's only yucky digital after I connected a router. Cat plugs are a pain.

Wow.....what speakers are THOSE.?

Assuming i ever get my garage converted to a Darkroom/Studio/Apartment..........my :Sound System" are two, small Klipsch 2-Way....that sound quite good, a VERY Small (must be class-d.?) 45 watt amp and a dvd player.
It sounds damn good actually, especially considering the small money invested.

 

[MattKing]

If you are going to add sound to a darkroom, be careful with deep, extended bass and enlargers susceptible to vibration .

 

[CMoore]

If you are going to add sound to a darkroom, be careful with deep, extended bass and enlargers susceptible to vibration .

Fortunately i do not play music very loud, and not much extended bass.................maybe Mike Rutherfords bass pedals from Nursery, Foxtrot, Selling and The Lamb.

 

[Kino]

I will be running a pair of Fried Beta IV bookshelf speakers that I found at a local thrift shop and refoamed with new surrounds. They should be overkill for a 15 x 15 room, but they are the right size.

Might go for a Dayton Audio HTA100BT Hybrid Stereo Tube Amplifier to drive them; always wanted a tube "like" amp.

 

[Kino]

If you are going to add sound to a darkroom, be careful with deep, extended bass and enlargers susceptible to vibration .

In other words, don't be playing the soundtrack to Dune when printing!

I don't think my wife would be happy with the Deftones blaring out Kimdracula up through the floor after midnight. Gonna have to get out my easy listening LPs to print...

 

[Kino]

Getting real close to basic functionality on the wet side. Cut out my foot pedal valve, shortened my drain line and shoved it over about a foot. Relocated the faucet to the front of the sink panel (yes I have to cut off the faucet end to make it straight) and will fill the gap with a plywood cabinet for trays and other tall, skinny stuff.

Starting to feel like a darkroom to me...

 

[CMoore]

I will be running a pair of Fried Beta IV bookshelf speakers that I found at a local thrift shop and refoamed with new surrounds. They should be overkill for a 15 x 15 room, but they are the right size.

Might go for a Dayton Audio HTA100BT Hybrid Stereo Tube Amplifier to drive them; always wanted a tube "like" amp.

Wow.............Bud Fried i believe.?
A friend of mine, circa 1980, bought a pair of Fried 3-Way that sounded GLORIOUS..!!!
I think they were about 800 bux way back then.

I am no High-Fi expert or connoisseur, but those remain "The Best" pair of speakers i have heard.
Wish i could hear a comparison between them and our pair of Klipsch Chorus.

 

[Kino]

Same one!
I found 3 pair of Fried speakers that day for $15 a pair because they all had rotted foam; a pair of A2's, a pair of A3's and the Beta IV bookshelf speakers. Invested in new foam surrounds and they sound crazy good.
The A2 and A3 speakers are transmission line type speakers with a tuned port and foam baffle. Those are in my living room on a Pioneer SA-7100.

Damn near everything I own came from a thrift store, but I think I choose well and recycle!

 

[MattKing]

Oscar Peterson would be a great choice for the darkroom, although that powerful left hand on a Steinway grand .....

 

[CMoore]

I have Louis and Oscar on CD.
It is a great record for the darkroom.
Rather "Easy Listening" while you are figuring thing out.

https://www.amazon.com/Louis-Armstrong-Meets-Oscar-Peterson/dp/B07GC8Q1HS

 

[MattKing]

The Oscar Peterson "Exclusively For My Friends" series on SACD is wonderful - but I wouldn't call it easy listening.

 

[awty]

Wow.....what speakers are THOSE.?

Celestion Ditton 551, there a bit messy in the bass, but I'll get around to fixing that.

 

[awty]

In other words, don't be playing the soundtrack to Dune when printing!

I don't think my wife would be happy with the Deftones blaring out Kimdracula up through the floor after midnight. Gonna have to get out my easy listening LPs to print...

I can happily switch from Deftones to Waugner but definitely no easy listening for me, fortunately there's no one for 50mtrs to complain.

 

[awty]

Getting real close to basic functionality on the wet side. Cut out my foot pedal valve, shortened my drain line and shoved it over about a foot. Relocated the faucet to the front of the sink panel (yes I have to cut off the faucet end to make it straight) and will fill the gap with a plywood cabinet for trays and other tall, skinny stuff.

Starting to feel like a darkroom to me...

View attachment 293145 View attachment 293146

Looking great, be a shame to dirty it up.
I got a small locker to use for film drying, just need to rig up a an exhaust fan.

 

[VinceInMT]

I finished replacing all the windows in my house (a multi-year project) and saved back a couple screens and repurposed them as print drying racks in my darkroom, shown in the middle of the photo on the back wall. They are hinged and I hook them to a chain that hangs from the ceiling. All parts recycled.

 

[Kino]

I finished replacing all the windows in my house (a multi-year project) and saved back a couple screens and repurposed them as print drying racks in my darkroom, shown in the middle of the photo on the back wall. They are hinged and I hook them to a chain that hangs from the ceiling. All parts recycled. View attachment 293179

Very nice! Looks like a good working space. I am all for recycled items!