Looking for inexpensive darkroom rental NYC

mcfactor · Apr 15, 2008

Im looking for an inexpensive black and white darkroom in NYC that I can rent, for a few times a week at most. I use 4x5 and 6x7 primarily. I have been to printspace and, while their facilities are nice, $18 an hour is too much. Im familiar with ICP, but i need to build up credits there as a TA before i can really work there.

I have been doing photography for almost ten years now. I have been in Seoul, korea for the last two years teaching english and exhibiting there. Now that im back in Brooklyn i need a reliable place to work. It doesnt have to be fancy, just reliable.

any suggestions?

David A. Goldfarb · Apr 15, 2008

I haven't used them myself, but try--

http://www.cameraclubny.org/

I've always decided that I prefer the inconveniences of the dark/bathroom to the inconveniences of shared darkroom space, but I've looked into the options in case the dark/bathroom were to become really impossible, and this didn't seem too bad.

mcfactor · Apr 15, 2008

Thanks, Ill look into that. I also prefer to work alone, but since im now living with my parents, in a fairly small bathroom, its not an option.

mcfactor · Apr 16, 2008

Any other idea?

frotog · Apr 17, 2008

I'm not sure about b/w rental but color rental is $11 or $12 per hour at my own color lab on w. 27th st. It seems as though everyone I know who's still printing has moved from print space to my own over the past few years.

john cowie · Apr 17, 2008

Hi, I came across a lab called Mackensie, or something like that, in Williamsburg and they might rent space.

mcfactor · Apr 17, 2008

Thanks for your responses, The Camera Club is too expensive for me (at $1,600 a year). I will definietly check out My Own Color lab and Mack's for color, the prices are certainly better. But both only do color and Im still in need of a black and white darkroom.

Oh, I was also informed that no rental lab will allow toning because of DEP regulations, so I guess i'll be doing that step at home (my parents wont be happy about that one).

pesphoto · Apr 17, 2008

Why not grab a cheap enlarger somewhere and set up your own bathroom darkroom.

mcfactor · Apr 17, 2008

Like I mentioned earlier, i dont have room for it. my bathroom is very small and there isnt enough space for a 4x5 enlarger. It also isnt light proof, which would not be problem normally, except that im sharing it with my parents who would not be happy with a windowless bathroom. nor would they be happy with not being able to use the bathroom for hours on end. Any other suggestions?

pesphoto · Apr 17, 2008

What about the ICP in NYC?

tim elder · Apr 17, 2008

My Own Color Lab has a B&W RC processor, probably about 30" wide, so you can do black & white there. The JCC also has black & white facilities; I've been meaning to check them out for several years...

Tim

mcfactor · Apr 17, 2008

Yeah, the JCC is definitely an option, they're prices are reasonable, I dont know about their facilities. I print on fiber, so a processor is not an option, but i will use them for color. I actually think i found a darkroom share on craigslist for about $100 a month, so ill check it out next week and if its good, ill do that. thanks

like I said in the initial post, i need to start working there as a TA first to build up some credits to use the darkroom, but I am working on it. When you work as a TA you can build up darkroom credits. thanks

Looking for inexpensive darkroom rental NYC

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