Darkroom rental in DC area?

timothyhyde · Oct 25, 2005

I'm not sure this is the right forum, but I am interested in experimenting with doing my own developing and printing (as opposed to taking it to the lab). Is there a darkroom available in the DC area for occasional rent? Thanks.

jmdavis · Oct 25, 2005

timothyhyde said:
I'm not sure this is the right forum, but I am interested in experimenting with doing my own developing and printing (as opposed to taking it to the lab). Is there a darkroom available in the DC area for occasional rent? Thanks.

Tim,

For black and white roll film developing you don't need a darkroom. All you need is a tank (stainless is my preference), some reels, and a changing bag (along with some practice getting the film onto the reels). So you can develop the roll film in the kitchen.

You could check with NoVA CC or the Maryland Community Colleges to see if they have any open darkroom hours and if non-students can buy time there. If you can, I would bring my own chemicals.

Mike Davis

joeyk49 · Oct 25, 2005

You could also check with your local high school. Many times they have adult/night courses in photography for very little money, which gets you access to the schools darkroom (if they have one). It may be worth investigating.

If you do, you may want to bring a cleaning kit with you or even your own lens/lensboard, as these places are notoriously lax when it comes to taking care of their equipment....

Pinholemaster · Oct 25, 2005

Arlington County has a community darkroom in Thomas Jefferson Middle School if you live in Arlington.

Or try Glen Echo, they have a community darkroom.

mgb74 · Oct 25, 2005

Glen Echo Park has a rental darkroom:

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c6h6o3 · Oct 25, 2005

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The Arts Place has no facility for developing sheet film in trays. When it moves back to the Town Center it will. They do, however, have tanks for developing 4 x 5 film. I suggest going on either Saturday or Wednesday when John Hoover will be there to help you. He is extremely knowledgeable and is an avid 4 x 5 shooter. They have Saunders LPL enlargers there with a full complement of lenses. They provide all chemicals, and even have Pyrocat HD (I know this because I donated it). All you need provide is paper.

I would avoid Glen Echo since their enlargers are quite antiquated with no variable heads. You have to use filters there, which you'll also have to provide. (Yuk!) They also leak like crazy.

HTH

Jim

mmcclellan · Oct 26, 2005

Give a call to Penn Camera down in the District. I picked up a flyer from them once about some rental darkrooms (out in Alexandria, I think). They would know about any available options.

Good luck!

isaacc7 · Oct 26, 2005

Fairfax parks and rec has a public darkroom at their Audrey Moore location. I'm not so sure how long they'll keep it though, they couldn't get 4 people to sign up for a class this session, so they cancelled it. They do usually have public times, but you'll have to get in touch with them to find out when. Just google fairfax parks and rec and you'll be able to get all the info you need.

Isaac

Jamesh · Nov 1, 2005

Smithsonian Resident Associates program has a couple of 4 hour open color/b&w darkroom sessions a week. The facilities are in the S. Dillon Ripley Center on the Mall.

http://residentassociates.org/indexes/topicevents.asp?SearchCode=foto

Darkroom rental in DC area?

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