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IMPORTANT : New Initiative From HARMAN technology Limited : APUG Feedback Requested

Whilst I would not want to let my darkroom actually be used by others, nor is it really practical, I might be prepared to carrying out an occasional "demonstration" to a newbie who was starting from absolute scratch. Perhaps there could be a register of Ilford "users" who could, through Ilford, sign up that they were prepared to do this. A newbie might then ask Ilford if there are any registered users in their area prepared to give a demonstration. Ilford could then pass on the contact details for the newbie to contact directly. Ilford might even give out a little "incentive" to the registered users in return for this service. I think as this would be a totally uncommercial arrangement, it would not require insurances etc - no different from asking a mate from a club you might belong to to come round and see what you are doing. Also, using a central registration service could allow the registered user to state how often they were prepared to do a demonstration, which Ilford could keep track of.

problem I suppose is that I might not just be a registered user - I might also be an axe murderer and Ilford might send some unwitting victim to my dungeon................

Just a thought. Prepared to be shot down!
 

Yes but that's limited to students... once you're out of the school you're f-ed, or if you've never been to that (or any) school you're completely F-ed... unless I'm wrong, but I sure know that the darkrooms around here (about 30 minutes away at least) only let students in...
 
Usually if you sign up for a night course you can get access.
 
Bob Carnie said:
Usually if you sign up for a night course you can get access.
Click to expand...

Bob, thanks it's important to remember many colleges have under used facilities. I need to check my local college to see if the darkrooms are still there because I could use them and I'm on very good terms with the relevant Vice principal, I was head of another Department (long story) and turned a failing project around and we won awards.

I have planned to see if I can use the Colleg facilities but family issues have taken a toll. Essenyially most colleges in the UK run full time dat time courses and recreational veneing classes the darkroom was used twicw a week when I was there, still the case 2 years ago. So locally there's two other nights available a week (they close early on Fridays)/

Ian
 
I would be happy to teach tray and reel processing of B&W and color as well as color printing (If I can get the chemistry). I would be happy to let people use the darkroom as well for the cost of utilities (water and electricity).

The problem is that there is a liability issue with my home owners insurance. I believe that everyone in the US at least, has the same issue. I am willing to try to resolve this issue, but if someone uses my darkroom and my chemistry and is injured, I am responsible.

Does anyone have an answer to that?

PE
 
depends upon how much you use the facilities.
StoneNYC said:
That's more than $7/hour though, that's the point, to get there and make it financially do-able...


~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
 
Bob Carnie said:
depends upon how much you use the facilities.
Click to expand...

Fairly certain most people who don't have a darkroom to begin with are not printing enough and not prepared to go from none to enough printing per semester to spend over $1,000 on a single class and still make it worth it.

Remember I live in CT, in Fairfield County, second most expensive place to live in the whole US...

So school classes are also expensive.

Even other places where they are probably $600 a semester is still too much just for darkroom access. Especially if they don't actually need to attend the class.

~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Bob Carnie said:
Usually if you sign up for a night course you can get access.
Click to expand...

You can always volunteer to be a lab ........... well, let's just say helper.

You cannot imagine how much I learned from Carnie by merely observing and flipping prints in developer. Your learning curve gets pretty steep when the first thing he gets you to do is flip a 20 x 24 print which will go for a tidy penny when completed.
 

Lol how one my 20x24's Don't sell period? LOL


~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Darkroom available in Vancouver.

I filled in the survey, and explained that I live in an artist live/work space (Vancouver zoning allows business licences for these units) and that it would be very inconvenient for me to give access to my darkroom (about 60% of my total area). As well, I am running a business here, and my darkroom is in daily use.
However, I am involved with a film maker's cooperative that provides public access to a darkroom. The Cineworks Analog Annex darkroom is now open to the public for a drop in fee for a 3 hour session ($8 for non-members, $5 for Cineworks members). This is a non-profit organization partly staffed by volunteers, so the fees are only to recover the cost of the chemicals supplied. The darkroom is,at present, available on Tuesday nights, but access will be expanded if enough people are interested.
Contact Ariel or Zoe at:
annex@cineworks.ca
 
I've answered the survey, and as most others I'm reluctant to let the general public into my home to use my rather small and cramped darkroom. I might let someone use it to learn the basics (under my supervision), but would probably suggest the use of the only open darkroom I know of in Oslo, Dead Link Removed
 
Last edited by a moderator:
PE - you can rent your space with a waver or terms of use. Usually insurance companies frown upon 'business' use in your home. You can buy separate 'business' liability coverage - but most home insurance wont cover your photo-stuff if they find out you are using it for business.

dw


 
www.thinknegative.com.au - darkroom with workshop/courses program, lab facility

I have filled in the survey, yes do contact me. I am situated in Sydney, Australia.

I have been running a community darkroom since 2007 (www.thinknegative.com.au) and have just expanded in January of this year. We have been building a community of darkroom users (b+w only) for years now and would love to see some support from manufacturers. I maintain the space and the whole thing was funded by me. It has though only survived as a community darkroom through dedicated users. Users need support too and so I act as an assistant and mentor where needed. All ages, all welcome.
I have public liability insurance also, no problem there.

Having said this, you can't just let anyone off the street come in and help themselves - best way to curtail this issue was/is to have an intro session and then go from there. I know many people who want to use the medium and get discouraged only because they are not taught how to use the materials properly and don't know what questions to ask~!

Thank you Ilford! Do make contact!

Enrico Scotece
www.thinknegative.com.au
 
I filled out the survey.
My "darkroom" is a bathroom, and I'd be leery of having strangers over. However, I often loan out developing equipment and found this has been quite helpful to people getting their feet wet. I also give them what little training I am capable of and then refer them to APUG.
 

Makes ya wanna run right out and hug an Insurance Agent don't it! I'm about insurance broke now and do not need anymore premium notices. I'm thinking of joining a local club in my hometown and then maybe let just members I knew use my darkroom. The club just started about three months ago and is just about 100% digital, but I'm sure film would be welcome. We'll see I guess!
 
I feel similar hesitation in letting strangers into my home. My home darkroom is in a basement crawl space. Not so inviting. And there's always things that can go missing.

However, I can easily convert my studio in the city into a temporary darkroom for educational purposes. And I think that would be great.
 
New guy here. I just started shooting and developing 4x5 (Ilford Delta 100). When I say just started I mean just started like I've shot 8 sheets of film, screwed up 6 during developing because I didn't put the film in the tank right and the sheets laid on top of one another, and of the two negatives that I managed to develop right I got one good scan and print. One was grossly over-exposed. The exposure issue was the result of bad habits picked up from shooting digital since 2006. I figure it can only get better from here.

I'm really glad that I started with Ilford. I like a company that supports their users.

And I filled out the survey. I said Maybe on the "would I use someone else's darkroom" part. Seems to me a darkroom is like my reloading bench in that it is a very personal space. I wouldn't want some stranger in there moving my stuff around.
 
I'm really glad that I started with Ilford. I like a company that supports their users.

And I filled out the survey. I said Maybe on the "would I use someone else's darkroom" part. Seems to me a darkroom is like my reloading bench in that it is a very personal space. I wouldn't want some stranger in there moving my stuff around.[/QUOTE]

Very good comparison! Have somebody pour Winchester 231 pistol powder back into your Winchester 785 container for rifle powder. Your .30-06 will never be the same! Of course your body won't either.
I'd only let somebody I knew and trusted work alone in my darkroom since I have some very nice collectible cameras in there along with some fine enlarging lenses.
 
something here...

survey done...

there's something in this idea... the couchsurfing of darkrooms! resource for newbies to film? directory of darkroom buddies? somehow sharing knowledge will make a difference. very much worth pursuing.
 
Thanks for the initiative, Simon. I've taken the survey as well.

My darkroom is in a temporary location at my office and has some access restrictions. I may set up a permanent one soon at a more convenient location - which I'd be happy to share. I don't mind listing my darkroom though.

Moreover, I will be very willing to share my knowledge and get like minded people together for discussions.

I moderate a group called BangBW in Bangalore, we are a group of B&W photographers that meet each week for a shoot and discussions. Our present problem is availability of Ilford film, chemistry and paper. it is not always convenient to order from overseas or wait for a friend to carry on their return to India. It would be great if Ilford can address this problem.
 

You're a little harsh on insurers....don't forget that there is a potential liability to anyone, even friends, visiting your home for any reason should they have an accident. Add in if anything went wrong in a darkroom (water + electricity? Chemicals...dermatitis?), you may be glad of proper insurance cover. Small risk, I know, but Sodd's law......
 


Thats a great initiative from Ilford! Could we also ask that you make your films and chemistry available in India? I am having to either import or ask friends to bring them over!
(Oh and yes, I filled up the survey!)
Also as others have suggested, why not invest more in APUG itself?
 
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