Darkroom portraits

[Stephen Frizza]

Here is my first darkroom. Equipment has been collected over the years, but only recently I was able to acquire an 8x10 enlarger (Durst CLS-2000). Before I discovered the 8x10 enlarger, I had planned to install on the counter a 5x7 Zone VI and a 4x5 Saunders LPL enlargers. I may still set them up on my dry area counter top.
It is a work in progress and will change as I start using it. I also hope members can provide constructive suggestions.

Jon

how awesome is the CLS-2000. great darkroom

 

[Ray Rogers]

Here is my first darkroom. Jon

I have a question about something in pictures 2 & 3...

What is the light blue box with two pole like objects... (next to the seal box in pix #2) ?

Thanks,

Ray

 

[jonw]

I have a question about something in pictures 2 & 3...

What is the light blue box with two pole like objects... (next to the seal box in pix #2) ?

Thanks,

Ray

Ray, that is an electrostatic 8x10 negative cleaner.

Jon
.

 

[Ektagraphic]

an electrostatic 8x10 negative cleaner
.

Awesome!

 

[5stringdeath]

The Small Darkroom

This gear was all donated to us over the past few years, mainly from wealthy professionals who were ditching film for digital, or labs clearing out equipment. This is my favorite darkroom Sorry for the crappy camera phone photos. We're still kinda working on the Durst.

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[largeformat pat]

My darkroom under construction

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

More shall follow.
Pat

 

[Shadowtracker]

wow, a dedicated building... I have a 6' x 11' room that was divided from the laundry room but it works for me. Good thing I am skinny; at least I can fit in there between the enlargers and the sink.

 

[BobNewYork]

Now THAT's how to build a darkroom !!!!

Bob H

 

[largeformat pat]

Thanks guys, Can't wait to finish. Got some new paper I wish to salt coat, also some 8 x 10 film to throw in the soup.
Pat

 

[David Brown]

Pat: is there plumbing in that dedicated building?

 

[largeformat pat]

David,
There is filtered rain water and filtered town water. I have a small H.W.S. to go outside. I have left the plumbing to the last, after the benches so I don't have to fiddle around so much. The plumbing will be on the outside wall in poly.
Pat

 

[2F/2F]

I am so glad that this thread has finally rolled over to a new page. I was getting sick and tired of those huge pictures on the last page loading every time I came to see a new post!

 

[robbiefritz]

What a great thread. I am actually going to begin the process of setting up my darkroom within the next two weeks. In the process of moving the old darkroom over to my house. Inherited some old but functioning equipment from my Dad. I still remember the many hours spent there as a teenager. The member photos give me some ideas on what to do for the new darkroom. Thanks!

 

[clayne]

This might be of interest to a few others.. I was trying to brainstorm a few darkroom reorganization ideas and rather than go through the pain of manually shifting everything around and discovering I wasn't into the new layout, I found that Ikea has a free visualizer available. The pre-designed objects are obviously all Ikea, but you can use the generic room dimensions, room objects (walls, etc), and similar Ikea objects to derive a rough idea and then view it in 2D or 3D:

http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/rooms_ideas/splashplanners.html

 

[Trey]

My Old darkroom

After moving to NYC a couple of years ago, I haven't had the time to set up a darkroom, but you can see a few pictures of my old setup here in this FaceBook album. I really miss it, and most of the equipment is in storage at a friend's house back home. As it turns out, it's not at all cost effective to have most of it shipped up here.

I have been processing film though, and there's a place here that rents darkrooms by the hour, so I may have to get over there soon.

 

[Shadowtracker]

Check out your local colleges. Several of them will let you join their photo club, usually cost-free or a small 'chemical cost' fee, sometimes per semester. Others rent their darkrooms out for a small amount for less that some other places charge. Then too, you might put an ad on WTT here and find someone not far from you that will let you use theirs.

 

[clayne]

After moving to NYC a couple of years ago, I haven't had the time to set up a darkroom, but you can see a few pictures of my old setup here in this FaceBook album. I really miss it, and most of the equipment is in storage at a friend's house back home. As it turns out, it's not at all cost effective to have most of it shipped up here.

I have been processing film though, and there's a place here that rents darkrooms by the hour, so I may have to get over there soon.

Trey, as far as cost effectiveness - don't underestimate the cost of familiarity and predictability. You know your equipment, and you know it works correctly. Buying something new means you'll have to go back into vetting the new purchase for consistency once again.

 

[Worker 11811]

Doesn't it only make sense that the first photo I made in my new darkroom would be a photo of my new darkroom?

Just put it together in the workshop in my basement. I wasn't using the room for anything but storage so I cleaned it out and put it to good use

Still working on getting all the dust out. I have to dust and wet mop every time I use it but it's slowly getting better.


I'm out of practice because it's been so long since I worked in a darkroom. But this one is mine! ALL MINE!

 

[MattKing]

Doesn't it only make sense that the first photo I made in my new darkroom would be a photo of my new darkroom?

Just put it together in the workshop in my basement. I wasn't using the room for anything but storage so I cleaned it out and put it to good use

Still working on getting all the dust out. I have to dust and wet mop every time I use it but it's slowly getting better.


I'm out of practice because it's been so long since I worked in a darkroom. But this one is mine! ALL MINE!

Randy:

Looks great!

One thing you might check though - if that is a safelight to the left of your enlarger, it looks to be quite close to the easel. I would do a safelight check if I were you.

 

[Worker 11811]

I moved the safelight since the photo was taken.

You're right. It was too close. But, more importantly, it only lit up part of the room.
I clipped it to the fluorescent light above and shined it up on the white ceiling. Now I have indirect lighting over the whole room.

 

[largeformat pat]

Some progress pics of my darkroom

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[largeformat pat]

Laminex on bench tops, Two sheets of ply for doors. Paint with clear estapol. Floor finished. Plumbing then.
Pat

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Wow, Pat, that is awesome. Will you be running tours?
It must be great to be able to design and build a darkroom from scratch.

 

[largeformat pat]

Kevin,
I have a post on our Leaf shutters re an opening on the Queens birthday long weekend. See what you think. This is my fourth darkroom, I had worked in labs for a couple of years before building my own. The first was a prolab so was the second. The third for fun. The fourth shall be the last. I have been able to add bits from this site and from my past darkrooms.
Pat

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Pat, yes I had seen that post. QB long weekend is difficult for me as it's our wedding anniversary. Mine is also my fourth darkroom, but the first proper dedicated darkroom. I'm very envious of your space. Mine would fit into yours about eight or ten times. It's nice that you've been able to add bits from older darkrooms to get it just right.