Darkroom portraits

jbphoto · Feb 20, 2012

It doesn't matter

The most important thing in your darkroom is the photographer. Edward Weston had a contact printing frame and a lightbulb. His images were made in his mind first then printed simply in the highest quality image possible. Just something to think about.

Robert Hall · Feb 21, 2012

I can't remember if I have shared this update or not, so here it goes. We have so many posts it's hard to keep track, so if it's a rerun, apologies.

http://www.roberthall.com/Darkroom/index.html

fotch · Feb 21, 2012

Robert, absolutely fantastic.

manet · Feb 21, 2012

Yes, great place, fantastic !

clayne · Feb 21, 2012

That darkroom is balls out.

jbrianfoto · Feb 21, 2012

Robert -

You have a very fine work space here. One of the best thought out I've ever seen. Wow.

I want to make duck boards for my sinks too - what kind of wood is that, and how do you seal it? Do you flood the sink a little to keep the temp constant around your trays (then if you do, does the wood try to float)? Lastly, do you run workshops in your lab? With that many enlargers and that kind of space you sure could! Again, this is the finest lab I've seen here. Bravo!

andrew.roos · Feb 21, 2012

robbalbrecht said:
This thread is great. I'm working on building a small darkroom in our two car garage. We rent so I can't do anything too permanent. I need some kind of walls and water and power over to the side I'm building on. It's going to be a challenge but I think it will be worth it. I had a 4x5 enlarger with a bunch of accessories given to me last year and I'm getting the itch to use it. Thanks for the great pix and ideas in this thread. Oh yeah and any input or helpful tips would be greatly appreciated.

Perhaps have a look at the Nova darkrrom tent: http://www.novadarkroom.com/product/329/Nova_Darkroom_Tent.html

Neal · Feb 21, 2012

Enlarger Cabinet

robbalbrecht said:
This thread is great. I'm working on building a small darkroom in our two car garage. We rent so I can't do anything too permanent. I need some kind of walls and water and power over to the side I'm building on. It's going to be a challenge but I think it will be worth it. I had a 4x5 enlarger with a bunch of accessories given to me last year and I'm getting the itch to use it. Thanks for the great pix and ideas in this thread. Oh yeah and any input or helpful tips would be greatly appreciated.

With luck I've correctly attached a picture of my enlarger cabinet. I can use my enlarger in the garage and still keep it safe from dust and moisture. I run a dehumidifier when necessary and the cabinet is pretty well sealed.

Neal Wydra

clayne · Feb 21, 2012

Sealed garages actually aren't that bad humidity wise. Drywall really helps.

robbalbrecht · Feb 23, 2012

Thanks for the ideas everyone. Neal, I like the cabinet idea. I hadn't thought about that before.

My original plan was to build some thin walls much like theater flats and wedge then in between the ceiling and floor. For now I may just try waiting until night time to print as it gets pretty darn dark in my garage.

Chuck_P · Feb 26, 2012

I have visited the "Darkroom Portraits" thread many times over the past few years when the reality of having my own dedicated darkroom was a long way off. This weekend I completed (I'll use that word loosely) work on a once bedroom that I can now call a functional darkroom. There's still things to do, an exhaust fan to install (the wireing is in place), some wall cabinetry, and I'll install a Hass water temperature regulator in time. The WWAD license plate was a X-mas gift from my wife that she had made for me locally after getting the idea from the APUG store.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Feb 27, 2012

CPorter said:
I have visited the "Darkroom Portraits" thread many times over the past few years when the reality of having my own dedicated darkroom was a long way off. This weekend I completed (I'll use that word loosely) work on a once bedroom that I can now call a functional darkroom.

Nice work! What did you use for the table tops? Formica? And how did you join the lumber for the bases?

zsas · Feb 27, 2012

Chuck! Congrats! Has been a thrill and motivating to follow your progress in the Gallery this winter! Thanks so much for the update, it looks amazing, the ability to print in the day and pop those windows open to see and evaluate a print w daylight is such a wonderful attribute! Enjoy!

Chuck_P · Feb 27, 2012

ParkerSmithPhoto said:
Nice work! What did you use for the table tops? Formica? And how did you join the lumber for the bases?

Thanks,
I used a 4x8 sheet of formica purchased at Lowe's, laminated to 3/4 inch MDF board-- I used deck screws to screw all the lumber together.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Feb 27, 2012

CPorter said:
Thanks,
I used a 4x8 sheet of formica purchased at Lowe's, laminated to 3/4 inch MDF board-- I used deck screws to screw all the lumber together.

I built another sink base this weekend, which matches my other sink and enlarging table. It's put together with the Simpson strong tie connectors. These are really easy to work with; just call all your sticks and screw them together. May be a bit of overkill, but they are rock solid.

For the legs, I added screw inserts that create a thread for a 1/4" screw for leveling out the base. Also keeps the lumber an inch or so off the floor to avoid moisture problems, not that my basement is moist or anything.

My new XLG should be here this week and then I will no longer have any excuse for procrastination, although I'm sure I will think of one by then.

zsas · Feb 27, 2012

Good stuff Parker, you sure seem busy lately, moving out gear you no longer use...the XLG what you been making room for?

ParkerSmithPhoto · Feb 27, 2012

zsas said:
Good stuff Parker, you sure seem busy lately, moving out gear you no longer use...the XLG what you been making room for?

Yes, thank you, I have been very busy buying and selling a bunch of darkroom gear so I could afford the XLG and not have to pull a wad of cash out of my business (which my better half would have frowned upon, with good reason).

Still have a small pile of stuff and three enlargers to get rid of, but shouldn't be much of a problem. Looking forward to getting to work now! I've got years worth of images to print.

Chuck_P · Feb 27, 2012

ParkerSmithPhoto said:
I built another sink base this weekend, which matches my other sink and enlarging table. It's put together with the Simpson strong tie connectors. These are really easy to work with; just call all your sticks and screw them together. May be a bit of overkill, but they are rock solid.

For the legs, I added screw inserts that create a thread for a 1/4" screw for leveling out the base. Also keeps the lumber an inch or so off the floor to avoid moisture problems, not that my basement is moist or anything.

My new XLG should be here this week and then I will no longer have any excuse for procrastination, although I'm sure I will think of one by then.

Looks good------I have Simpson strong ties in all the hidden inside corners of both the dry-side table and the sink stand providing structural support. But deck screws provide the actual binding connections.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Feb 27, 2012

CPorter said:
Looks good------I have Simpson strong ties in all the hidden inside corners of both the dry-side table and the sink stand providing structural support. But deck screws provide the actual binding connections.

Do you have a second 2x4 running behind the front on the dry side, to connect the cross beam with the legs? It's nice and clean, just wondering how you made it all stick together.

After building three of these over the years, I think the connectors I used for the bottom would be more than adequate and save a few $$ to boot. Still have one more large work table to build, so all the lessons learned can go to work there.

Roger Thoms · Feb 28, 2012

CPorter said:
I have visited the "Darkroom Portraits" thread many times over the past few years when the reality of having my own dedicated darkroom was a long way off. This weekend I completed (I'll use that word loosely) work on a once bedroom that I can now call a functional darkroom. There's still things to do, an exhaust fan to install (the wireing is in place), some wall cabinetry, and I'll install a Hass water temperature regulator in time. The WWAD license plate was a X-mas gift from my wife that she had made for me locally after getting the idea from the APUG store.

Your darkroom looks great, bet your excited to have "it done". The Hass will be a nice addition, I had one in my old darkroom, very nice, set it and for get it. Congratulations!!!

Roger

Chuck_P · Feb 28, 2012

ParkerSmithPhoto said:
Do you have a second 2x4 running behind the front on the dry side, to connect the cross beam with the legs? It's nice and clean, just wondering how you made it all stick together.

After building three of these over the years, I think the connectors I used for the bottom would be more than adequate and save a few $$ to boot. Still have one more large work table to build, so all the lessons learned can go to work there.

yes, there's one 2x4 spanning the front on the inside, then, you see two center vertical 2x4s----the one on the left was the original , the one on the right was installed to accomodate the 4 ft. shelf below the enlarger. Then I filled in the spaces with two other 2x4s, those two were actually an after thought. If you go to the (there was a url link here which no longer exists) I have some pictures in there of the dry-side frame. After that photo, I installed more front to back bracing on the top side and the bottom side, it clearly needed more before installing the plywood bottom and the MDF top.

gustavlrssn · Feb 28, 2012

This darkroom is located in the basement of a student residential building and there are logbooks from the 60's in here, so it has a long history.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Feb 28, 2012

gustavlrssn said:
This darkroom is located in the basement of a student residential building and there are logbooks from the 60's in here, so it has a long history.

Some knave snuck a scanner into your darkroom!

zsas · Feb 28, 2012

gustavlrssn - Beautiful! Is that cedar wood? Must smell wonderful if so!

gustavlrssn · Feb 28, 2012

ParkerSmithPhoto said:
Some knave snuck a scanner into your darkroom!

That was me I'm afraid . It looks kind of misplaced in there, but I have no where else to put it.

zsas said:
gustavlrssn - Beautiful! Is that cedar wood? Must smell wonderful if so!

I believe it is regular pine, that has yellowed over the years. So no wonderful smell, but it really brings a special atmosphere to this room.

Darkroom portraits

jbphoto

Robert Hall

fotch

manet

clayne

jbrianfoto

andrew.roos

Neal

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clayne

robbalbrecht

Chuck_P

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ParkerSmithPhoto

zsas

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Chuck_P

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Roger Thoms

Chuck_P

gustavlrssn

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zsas

gustavlrssn

Darkroom portraits

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