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Printing in a tent...

marciofs

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I can't cover the large windows where I live to make a darkroom for myself. I was thinking then to buy a tent and cober it up outside to make sure any blue light would come in, in order to make my prints.

My concern is about breathing the chemicals inside a small tent, because I suppose it would't have to much air for the chemicals vapour to dilute.

Am I being paranoic or should I think in a way for ventilation?

By the way, the tent is so small that is just a little higher than my enlarger and I would work sitting on the floor with all the tools, because no way I can stand in it.
 
I think that's maybe too small. You can buy odorless fixer, which would help a lot, but still. Is there some reason you are unable to black out the windows? I've had good results w/ simple cardboard and duct tape, then a thick quilt (or some dark cloth from the stores) hung over that. Second hand stores can provide a lot of blankets and thick quilts for little money. Things are a lot easier if you approach it one window/door at a time.

All I need, for instance, on our bedroom door is a quilt hung over the door, a couple of towels stuffed in at the top to light seal that end, and a rolled up blanket at the bottom to block out the light. It's totally light tight. Fortunately the bedroom has an A/C vent in it, because when I was holed up in the bathroom that got blocked off and it was hell in there in the summer.
 
This took 4 long pieces of wood, 4 little pieces, 12 screws, some flattened cardboard boxes, scavenged foam that was glued on w/ rubber cement, and some tape and spray paint.

On the wall there are 2 small hooks on either side of the window, a piece of wood on the bottom held up w/ 2 screws, and a bungee cord. I simply slip off the window curtain at top, lay the window blocker thing onto the wood brace at the bottom (which supports it), then take the other end of the bungee cord and slip it through the hook. Takes about 20-30 seconds. The bungee cord pulls it tautly up to the wall. Only 4 small holes had to be drilled in the wall, which could be easily patched if you rent.

It leaks only a teeny tiny bit of light at the taped seams. I didn't feel like painting it over, so I just throw a towel over it to completely darken things out.

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Be paranoid. You'll be very glad of that down the line. I'm paranoid. Maybe that's why my lungs are still in excellent condition after decades of doing this, while some of my macho artiste friends have utterly miserable health at the same age. Don't confuse "low odor" with healthy. You need active ventilation.
 

This is what I used to do in my previous home. Now I live in a room where 3 of the wall have windows so large that it almost doesn't have walls.

This is why I think buying a cheap tent is faster to be ready, easier and even cheaper.
 

I was wondering if I leave the tent door open and let it be covered only with the dark blankets that I will use above the tent, if the fabric would let enought ventilation get in and out...
 
many years ago I was looking for somewhere to rent and one of my main criteria was that there would be somewhere to use as a darkroom. I went to see a lovely place but there was nowhere for a darkroom. The woman letting it suggested I could use the greenhouse in the garden for my darkroom...
 
Tents are not usually light tight. Bad idea.
 
marciofs said:
I am a dirty poor man. i can't aford 450 pounds. The tent I have found cust only 60 euro.
Click to expand...

Save your money or invest in something else. I do not think that you would be happy using a tent as a darkroom. Too many light leaks, not enough space, ...
 
 
Paul Verizzo said:
Black polyethylene over windows, tape to seal. Works great. Cheap. Did I mention cheap?
Click to expand...

The windows here are really large.

I used to do it on my previous home, smaller and less windows and more space. I guess it would be better and easier to use and store the tent than plastics. And I could use the tent on location and photo trips.
 

I always try to choose a room on this aspect. But where I live I can't choose much because it is very hard to find a place to rent. Now that I have a place to live and don't need to sleep in hostels, I have time and I am looking for a better place to move, but it will take a while.
 
You need something like this:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
 
Would not a tent get uncomfortably hot in the sun? Even in winter?
 
How about one of those "grow tents". They seem to be very good for the purpose. Well, on the screen, no personal experience. Anybody got one?
 
Do you have a closet or bathroom that would be easier to light-proof?

I wonder if you could expose the paper, put it in a light-proof container, and develop separately. Maybe develop in another tent, or pull the tent from the enlarger so you can develop.
It would be annoying with only one tent, but could be done.

In other words, could you use the tent like a large changing bag? Put a cardboard box inside to give it form, and just stick your arms in to do the developing. That way you remain outside of the tent, breathing fresh air. You would still need to prevent light from entering when you put your arms in.
 

I do think about using a large change bag, put something inside to give form to it, then with a lampe and chemicals inside I can make contact prints. It would be enought for 4x5 prints.

Maybe I can try make one with large box and some large dark plastic bags.
 
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