Photographing in a B&W Darkroom?

[Jeff Bannow]

I've decided to document the local public darkroom, and think I may have a potential snag. I'd like to photograph inside the B&W darkroom with the safelights on, which uses Thomas safelights.

Anyone know if I will have issues with the safelight not properly exposing my Fuji Acros film? I'm guessing it won't be an issue, but I'm not sure.

 

[BetterSense]

I've shot under my red LED safelight before. It's not very bright of course, but if you use panchromatic film it should work.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

That's what I was hoping for. Thanks.

 

[MattKing]

The Thomas safelights emit light in a relatively narrow band of frequencies, so although panchromatic film like Acros will most likely respond to the light, it is anyone's guess how best to meter for it.

You might want to consider using Ilford XP2 Super, because of its ability to retain detail when overexposed, and to bracket a lot.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

I guess a test roll is in order - can't really bracket as I only get 2 shots to a roll of 120 (Seitz Roundshot 220VR).

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Darkroom scenes in movies (and there are many) are routinely faked because of exposure problems. The lighting is much brighter then would otherwise be allowed.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I've decided to document the local public darkroom, and think I may have a potential snag. I'd like to photograph inside the B&W darkroom with the safelights on, which uses Thomas safelights.

Anyone know if I will have issues with the safelight not properly exposing my Fuji Acros film? I'm guessing it won't be an issue, but I'm not sure.

Why do you need to expose with the safelights?

 

[greybeard]

Why do you need to expose with the safelights?

I'd be interested in knowing what that OP would say, but my answer would probably be that if there are colored objects in the room (particularly "signature" things like Kodak film or paper packaging, or people, for that matter) then photographing in white light will render them incorrectly.

The good news is that few of the public understand B&W photography any more, so even if there are people present in the photograph, it may not matter what color the light is.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Why do you need to expose with the safelights?

The darkroom will be in use while I'm shooting. The room houses 30 enlargers and on a good day can be completely full!

 

[Jeff Bannow]

And revolving doors mean that white lights are only on after closing.

 

[MattKing]

Sounds like you should shoot a movie!

 

[Jeff Bannow]

. It is about the coolest place ever. I don't know what will happen to it when the current director, Rob Kangas, retires.

 

[happyjam64]

I once took a picture of my school darkroom with Kodak EBX. It was so red! Exposure was bang on with my pentax lx

 

[CBG]

Tripod.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Tripod.

Definitely. This camera actually can't be used off a tripod.

 

[Toffle]

What a cool camera! I hope to see the images some day.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

What a cool camera! I hope to see the images some day.

It sure is! You're welcome to stop by. It will likely make it to the next Photostock as well (hoping that there will be a next Photostock ....)

 

[RalphLambrecht]

And revolving doors mean that white lights are only on after closing.

Find the time when the darkroom is not in use, trick the white lights to be on or bring your own, and shoot with a red filter attached.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Find the time when the darkroom is not in use, trick the white lights to be on or bring your own, and shoot with a red filter attached.

Then the people wouldn't be in the photo though! I may try that - I can stay late and photograph after closing. I'd like to capture everyone in there working as well though.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Then the people wouldn't be in the photo though! I may try that - I can stay late and photograph after closing. I'd like to capture everyone in there working as well though.

Don't throw the people out. Ask them to participate and have them fake to 'work' on their scraped prints.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Don't throw the people out. Ask them to participate and have them fake to 'work' on their scraped prints.

Might be possible ....

Of course, the real trick is going to be staging a photo for the color darkroom! 25 enlargers and no safelight in there.

 

[greybeard]

Of course, the real trick is going to be staging a photo for the color darkroom! 25 enlargers and no safelight in there.

You are just looking at this the wrong way: black and white darkrooms use colored safelight filters, so obviously the color darkroom would have a black or white filter. Clearly, white won't do, so you must be photographing a room illuminated by a safelight with a black filter!

(Except that the format would be wrong, I could send you an archivally processed negative that I already have, and save you the trouble of actually taking the picture. I promise that the prints will look just the same!)

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Of course, the real trick is going to be staging a photo for the color darkroom! 25 enlargers and no safelight in there.

You are just looking at this the wrong way: black and white darkrooms use colored safelight filters, so obviously the color darkroom would have a black or white filter. Clearly, white won't do, so you must be photographing a room illuminated by a safelight with a black filter!

(Except that the format would be wrong, I could send you an archivally processed negative that I already have, and save you the trouble of actually taking the picture. I promise that the prints will look just the same!)

I actually thought about just printing out a black piece of paper for the color darkroom.

 

[greybeard]

Exactly. Now, are you interested in that negative that I have?