Darkroom portraits

ozphoto · May 4, 2010

This has been a great thread - I am envious of everyone right now - I don't have a darkroom in BKK or even access to a hire one.
I'm looking to redesign the one I have back in ADL - anybody have plans of their layout?

The pics are great, but I'd also like to see how people have overcome oddities of their areas/use of space/general layouts.

Looking forward to more pics and descriptions to make me look even more like Shrek. . . . . .

largeformat pat · May 4, 2010

Just moved the L184 in to it's new home. Back and balls OK.
Pat

Kevin Caulfield · May 4, 2010

largeformat pat said:
Just moved the L184 in to it's new home. Back and balls OK.
Pat

The back and balls on the enlarger, or your own?

largeformat pat · May 4, 2010

My own............................

ic-racer · May 4, 2010

Looks fantastic largeformat pat!

What did you use for the floor? Did you build this yourself, or did you hire construction persons to do it?

largeformat pat · May 4, 2010

IC Racer.
The floor is coated with a BASF product called Master top 1080 it is a 3 part pack that makes 5 liters. It is applied with a brush or roller and is acid, oil and chemical resistant. It is not a paint.
I had my father help with the gutter and fascia,I had an electrician do the power and a friend help with the ceiling sheets, otherwise I did it all myself. I made the frames, stood the frames pitched the roof, clad the walls, insulated the walls roughed in the power. Fixed the roof sheets. Painted the walls floor and ceiling and also made the cupboards. It is 3mm out of plumb and 4mm out of square. I have enjoyed the task very much and are looking forward to actually using it.
Pat

mike c · May 4, 2010

The L184 looks like some sort of exercise machine with out the bellows and head!

2F/2F · May 4, 2010

largeformat pat said:
IC Racer.
The floor is coated with a BASF product called Master top 1080 it is a 3 part pack that makes 5 liters. It is applied with a brush or roller and is acid, oil and chemical resistant. It is not a paint.
I had my father help with the gutter and fascia,I had an electrician do the power and a friend help with the ceiling sheets, otherwise I did it all myself. I made the frames, stood the frames pitched the roof, clad the walls, insulated the walls roughed in the power. Fixed the roof sheets. Painted the walls floor and ceiling and also made the cupboards. It is 3mm out of plumb and 4mm out of square. I have enjoyed the task very much and are looking forward to actually using it.
Pat

You are using a B.A.S.F. chemical on your floor. Now use Agfa materials for your photos, take Bayer to combat the headaches from the chemical fumes, and you've got most of I.G. Farben represented in your darkroom. Careful that you don't accidentally use a little something called Zyklon B to keep pests out!

largeformat pat · May 5, 2010

A mate said when he saw it, " where do they drop the gas in"?

IdahoPhotoist · May 9, 2010

I have had a number of darkrooms over the years, and since retired, and getting the bug again I was making do till my wife kicked me out of the bathroom, I have been without one since, but recently I acquired a nice bunch of darkroom equipment from an estate, which filled all the gaps I had. so now My computer office goes, I am building into a 9x12 room. It will be a bit crowded, as it will support an Omega 6x6 condenser, Omega 6x7 dicro, and a Bessler 4x5 condenser. I will have a sink that will support 4 16x20 trays plus washer, and a Jobo processor. according to my design layout it will all fit with ample storage if so it will be the coolest darkroom ever...

largeformat pat · May 9, 2010

Hey,
Stack the trays, and have fun. I would like to see the pics.
Pat

mattbellphoto · May 9, 2010

My DIY bathroom darkroom:

Worker 11811 · May 9, 2010

Just be careful you don't mix up the mouthwash with something else!

ic-racer · May 9, 2010

This last winter I upgraded my darkroom. Major changes were installation of a water control panel and tile floor. I bought another shelving unit to make use of the space under the stairs. I finished painting the stairwell also. I have another safelight on its way to go by the 8x10 enlarger.

ic-racer · May 9, 2010

I set up my drying cabinet with a removable shelf, so I can dry eight 8x10s at a time (now that I have two 2850 drums).

ic-racer · May 9, 2010

ic-racer · May 9, 2010

ic-racer · May 9, 2010

arigram · May 9, 2010

From a cramped bathroom to a fully fledged industrial-looking laboratory!
The extremes and all in between have their own magical charm!

2F/2F · May 9, 2010

Looks like a great place to print, ic-racer. Congratulations on a spectacular darkroom!

rphenning · May 9, 2010

i really want my own darkroom. so psyched on so many of these. amazing stuff.

clayne · May 10, 2010

One thing I've learned is that I can't really stand working in cramped darkrooms - even if I can still pull off working in it. It just gets old quickly - especially having to fight for space and any kind of tear-down. I think when it comes down to it, at the end of a session, one should only have to worry about putting their chemicals away and turning off the lights.

Ektagraphic · May 10, 2010

Nice darkroom ic-racer! Move over Ansel Adams

ic-racer · May 11, 2010

Ektagraphic said:
Nice darkroom ic-racer! Move over Ansel Adams

One thing that boggles the imagination is that Durst enlarger was designed, build, sold, and became obsolete junk, in the time since Ansel Adams death.

We live in amazing times. By choosing the analog route, we all won the lottery when it comes to acquiring darkroom equipment!

Dennis S · May 11, 2010

We live in amazing times. By choosing the analog route, we all won the lottery when it comes to acquiring darkroom equipment!

And the people I deal with are HAPPY to get rid of it.....

Darkroom portraits

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