Gave a darkroom away today

Nodda Duma · Jan 2, 2017

A local kid, just starting college (art school) and an avid film photographer, was the recipient of all the gear she needed to set up a darkroom. I was even able to spare chemicals and paper. She and her dad came and picked the gear up today. She seemed very excited and her dad (about my age) thought it was awesome...I like to think that she's already setting it up.

Many of my colleagues, coworkers, and friends know I shoot film and develop prints. So sometimes I get asked at work if I want old analog film stuff that belonged to them or some relative of theirs. I'm sure many of you have been in the same situation. I had enough equipment (including enlarger) to set up another darkroom. Knowing that the local high school has an active darkroom (which is cool in and of itself), I posted to the local community facebook page about the gear and this student responded.

I don't post to brag, but as an example of outreach and how there is serious interest in analog photography even amongst the young. Reach out and share the joy of film whenever you can. If you have extra equipment, there is a home out there waiting for it.

Cheers,
Jason

crumpet8 · Jan 2, 2017

Nicely done Jason I would love to have a darkroom after school is finished, bet you made her year!

Bill Burk · Jan 2, 2017

What a great idea. I am in the same situation. I could give away a darkroom.

Peter Schrager · Jan 2, 2017

Analog Angels!!

flavio81 · Jan 2, 2017

You don't cease to amaze me, Nodda Duma...

vdonovan · Jan 2, 2017

You are awesome. I think it's important for us older folks to spread our excitement to that next generation.

I had a friend's kids over in my darkroom over the holidays. 10yrs and 7yrs. We made photograms under the enlarger and they LOVED IT. The kids even invented a technique: they would turn the paper emulsion side down, put stuff on it and expose it, then turn the paper emulsion side up and put more stuff on and expose that. This gave them overlapping shades of grey to a delightful effect.

Photo Engineer · Jan 2, 2017

Congratulations Jason.

Bill Burk · Jan 2, 2017

vdonovan said:
You are awesome. I think it's important for us older folks to spread our excitement to that next generation.

I had a friend's kids over in my darkroom over the holidays. 10yrs and 7yrs. We made photograms under the enlarger and they LOVED IT. The kids even invented a technique: they would turn the paper emulsion side down, put stuff on it and expose it, then turn the paper emulsion side up and put more stuff on and expose that. This gave them overlapping shades of grey to a delightful effect.

Wow, fun.
I did a photo gram session once and when I delivered the dry prints... proudly exclaimed 'now that will be good for 800 years' and my son's friend said 'what? Yesterday you said it would be good for a thousand years...'

adelorenzo · Jan 3, 2017

Nicely done!

I could easily outfit two or possibly three complete darkrooms including enough paper and chemicals to last someone at least a year. All of this from things I have been given for free.

I justify storing all this extra gear hoping someone, someday will want to use it....

LAG · Jan 3, 2017

Hurrah! Well done Nodda Duma

RalphLambrecht · Jan 3, 2017

Nodda Duma said:
A local kid, just starting college (art school) and an avid film photographer, was the recipient of all the gear she needed to set up a darkroom. I was even able to spare chemicals and paper. She and her dad came and picked the gear up today. She seemed very excited and her dad (about my age) thought it was awesome...I like to think that she's already setting it up.

Many of my colleagues, coworkers, and friends know I shoot film and develop prints. So sometimes I get asked at work if I want old analog film stuff that belonged to them or some relative of theirs. I'm sure many of you have been in the same situation. I had enough equipment (including enlarger) to set up another darkroom. Knowing that the local high school has an active darkroom (which is cool in and of itself), I posted to the local community facebook page about the gear and this student responded.

I don't post to brag, but as an example of outreach and how there is serious interest in analog photography even amongst the young. Reach out and share the joy of film whenever you can. If you have extra equipment, there is a home out there waiting for it.

Cheers,
Jason

ask if she has a friend

Cholentpot · Jan 3, 2017

I got my start from a friend who is 20+ years on me. He gave me his old darkroom setup that was in storage. It did take me a while to flesh it out but now I have a full setup to mess around with. I pass things along too, I've been giving out cameras and film to kids I know and have them return it to me for development.

Nodda Duma · Jan 3, 2017

RalphLambrecht said:
ask if she has a friend

Don't know if she does, but I do have the contact info for the teacher who runs the darkroom at the high school. My original plan was to contact her and ask if there was a deserving high school student to provide the equipment to. I'm sure there are plenty. If I had another darkroom kit, I could easily email the teacher and ask.

-Jason

mgb74 · Jan 3, 2017

A friend locally has been collecting donated darkroom and film equipment, organizing it, and giving it away. He's been conducting classes at basically an "at cost" basis. I "feed" him equipment that finds it's way to me.

http://www.legacydarkroom.com/gifting

I think we can all help others develop a passion for analog. And it's critical we make this equipment available as a) it can be hard to find new and b) it's expensive to buy a new enlarger.

Nodda Duma · Jan 3, 2017

I'm kind of thinking about something along those lines, mgb74

tron_ · Jan 3, 2017

Thank you for not only being a great person but a true ambassador of the art. The world needs more people like you!

mgb74 · Jan 3, 2017

Nodda Duma said:
I'm kind of thinking about something along those lines, mgb74

The classes / instruction? That seems to be going very well for him. He keeps classes small and tries to replicate the home darkroom experience as much as possible. For example, he provides chemicals but has the students mix their own.

With the decline of wet darkrooms in high schools and colleges, this type of instruction is sorely needed.

mr rusty · Jan 3, 2017

Giving stuff away you don't need has a good feeling. Young guy at work has started using film and developing his own. He was telling me how his camera (some sort of Cosina) didn't seem to always be working properly - some shutter issue. Just before Christmas I took a tidy Minolta X300 and 1.7/50 in and gave it to him. One I'd bought for peanuts cos it wasn't working but after I'd done the capacitor repair seemed fine. Was just sitting there keeping all the rest of my cameras (including another X300 & 1.7/50) company.

Nodda Duma · Jan 3, 2017

mgb74 said:
The classes / instruction? That seems to be going very well for him. He keeps classes small and tries to replicate the home darkroom experience as much as possible. For example, he provides chemicals but has the students mix their own.

With the decline of wet darkrooms in high schools and colleges, this type of instruction is sorely needed.

More the giving away part, but also the instruction I suppose (tho I can't claim to be any sort of expert). I've tentatively talked to a local art studio about darkroom classes but time has been scarce this past year.

bdial · Jan 3, 2017

VCP (Vermont Center for Photography) often gets darkroom stuff donated. Since it's not a big seller, we give a lot of it to schools or students. I'm not sure what the current inventory is, but if there is stuff you're looking for let me know.

Nodda Duma · Jan 3, 2017

Thanks bdial.. I still need to get out there at some point, by the way, per our conversation at the PHSNE show.

I'm going to contact the teacher and see what she thinks. If she likes the idea, I'll make a list of basic equipment and let you know.

Regards,
Jason

Greg Heath · Sep 15, 2017

10 years ago a guy cleaned out his darkroom and basically sold me everything for $50. I built a darkroom around it. I still use it. Included in the deal was a Beseler 45M and other enlargers...all the trays, timers, everything. The was the best deal I ever got.

removed account4 · Sep 15, 2017

Peter Schrager said:
Analog Angels!!

you can say THAT again !

blockend · Sep 15, 2017

Greg Heath said:
10 years ago a guy cleaned out his darkroom and basically sold me everything for $50. I built a darkroom around it. I still use it. Included in the deal was a Beseler 45M and other enlargers...all the trays, timers, everything. The was the best deal I ever got.

My enlarger wasn't as classy as your Beseler 45M, but it was cheaper. The winning bid was 99p for a complete darkroom kit. That was in the days film was dead and you could barely give enlargers away.

Dennis S · Sep 15, 2017

I basically gave away my Beseler 23CII enlarger as it was just getting in my way. I still have the 45 MXR set up

Gave a darkroom away today

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