Ilford Darkroom Printing Survey Result

[ooze]

https://www.ilfordphoto.com/ilford-photo-printing-survey-results/

 

[Oxleyroad]

Good read. I was one of the current printers who responded for what it is worth.

 

[pentaxuser]

ooze,interesting survey results, thanks. Based on a purely subjective impression of Photrio membership I'd have said the number of darkroom printers would have been less than the survey discovered, assuming of course that Photrio reflects accurately the make-up of analogue enthusiasts. Maybe it doesn't

Encouraging that the percentage of darkroom printers is as high as it is

pentaxuser

 

[Fraunhofer]

Thanks for posting. I also responded to the survey. This is encouraging.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I remember how after previous survey prices went up...

 

[ic-racer]

Biggest obstacle

The all-important question was what stops people from printing more? For people who already print this is: Time (73%) followed by expense (32%). A combined 39% cited space for or access to a darkroom.

TIME: Not enough of it.

If I were to create a device for the modern darkroom user it would be a test print processor. No issues at all with spending processing time on the final print, but the many, many prints leading up to that final one make up 90% of my darkroom time. This hypothetical test print processor would need to process the test prints with the exact same chemicals and paper as the final print. So the older 'stabilization' processors would not work.

 

[markbau]

A lot of new film photographers seem to shoot colour neg film. A product that might sell well for Ilford is a black and white paper designed specifically for colour negs.

 

[radiant]

I remember how after previous survey prices went up...

The survey was probably about "where can we get more money from you". It is not wrong because companies exists only to make money - but it is important to understand.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

The survey was probably about "where can we get more money from you". It is not wrong because companies exists only to make money - but it is important to understand.

As ex employee of company in Finland I understand your way of thinking. As person with sales experience I also know what increase of prices too often does work well for sales.

 

[Fraunhofer]

Ilford is not our enemy, only if their business remains profitable they can stay in business and raise capital to develop new products.

 

[Agulliver]

I have no problem with Ilford finding out how they can sell more of their darkroom products. If the survey shows that people would use (Ilford) paper and chemicals if they had access to a dark room that is surely not only good for Ilford but for us all too. If they can make more money they can keep existing products going and perhaps bring out new ones.

Companies do not exist "only to make money". That is a misunderstanding which leads to companies booming and busting. A business exists to survive.

 

[Bill Burk]

Nice reading, maybe we should all make darkroom YouTube videos

 

[KenS]

Being somewhat 'old and grey' after 60+ years under the dark-cloth, many years as a "Pro" (with a specialized "Board Certification") and a post-retirement BFA degree) I'm managing to survive on my pension income, I have put commercial paper B/W printing "on hold' due to the cost per print. While I do have some on my freezer for the occasional fine print, I have taken to printing more using the 'archaic' print processes.. a LOT more 'work' and 'time' consuming' but also much more more 'fun.

Ken