RV darkroom with a pet while traveling

[Three Owls]

I am considering a photographic project while traveling this summer.
I've had a rv darkroom for lf film development and alt process printing before and found it to work well even while traveling and boondocking.
However this time I would be bringing my large and youthful German Shepherd.
I don't have the RV for this yet. Obviously such a large and active pet inside would call for a bigger rig than the 22 footer I used last time, but I wanted to know others thoughts on the matter and any solutions you might have found to protecting a pet from the chem, and keeping pet dust hair etc off of materials in such a small space.
Thanks in advance

 

[AgX]

I assume a rv darkroom is one installed in a camping-van/truck.

 

[Luckless]

How handy are you, and do you feel like possibly doing some detailed modifications?

One option that I would consider would be a fold-out room. Your sink and cupboards all get built into a wall of the RV, but face the outside of it, and then you build flip out walls, floor and roof. As long as you get the seals done securely enough while it is in 'transit mode', and keep the pet out of the space, then you don't really have to worry about it contaminating your workspace.

 

[Rick A]

If the pup in question is a good rider, then I wouldn't think going larger is an issue. Our GS sleeps in my daughters bed(because she's a bed hog), and usually sleeps when riding in my truck. My concern would be dog hair in the dark room area.Baby is a frightful shedder, and never allowed in my DR.

 

[Three Owls]

I'm handy. I have built a house with 50% recycled lumber. I've worked on several rvs. I don't know that I'm up for making a custom pop-out for a 30-year-old motorhome. Frankly, that sounds like a huge undertaking, with considerable welding and engineering, just the sort of project that takes three times as much money and time as the initial budget. It would be cool to make it look like a bellows camera though! And of course with some mural paper and a .33x achromat you get mission creep- but a cool story, and having a story sells art.

I do like the idea of a dedicated area, in the Toyota Dolphin 21' I used the bathroom which blacked-out easily with just velcro curtains, but it was quite small. In a Winnebago 30', I just used the kitchen with plastic everywhere but that was a cleaning bother and I couldn't make it dark enough to tray develop film. Perhaps if I got a model with a large rear bedroom that would be best. Many models have the bathroom sharing that wall which could make plumbing easier. I prefer a smaller vehicle, but I need what I need if it comes to that. I don't need a bedroom for myself, an overhead sleeper would be fine and the big-puppy could have the sofa. I'd been envisioning a smaller vehicle though.

 

[Luckless]

Well, having a giant 8'x10' camera that comes off the back of your RV could be something fun to play with, and could easily double as the darkroom...

Could also be done more in the form of a canopy off the side or back that something like a portable darkroom tent zips into. Or use a tent completely separate from your RV and store related gear in bumper bins.

Kind of a chicken or egg problem and solution issue. Without a firm idea of the exact vehicle being used it is hard to decide on a darkroom solution, and without a decision on a darkroom solution it becomes hard to pick the best vehicle for your needs.

I want to do something similar, and I'm torn between going small with a converted camper van style setup (And more 'deployable' spaces off of it) or going with something more along the lines of converting a bus. Have even been toying with the idea of a converted double decker setup, or reinforcing/rebuilding the roof of a normal bus and putting a popup style tent second floor.

 

[bsdunek]

We have Corgi's. They travel well, but shed a lot, except in the Spring, when they shed more. I have a "no Corgi's in the darkroom" rule. Shepards probably don't shed as much, but I would still think it would be a problem.

 

[mgb74]

Like Rick said, the size of the RV matters little. Unless you have enough room to throw a tennis ball as far as you can, all the dogs exercise will be outside the RV. My very active Aussie Shepherd is great in car or truck, but needs to get out and exercise. Keep in mind that dogs are "dening" animals; they're comfortable in a small space for periods of time.

As to hair, there are brushes that do a good job of getting off loose hair. Brush your pup outside everyday with one of the those, buy a good cordless vac (I like the Dyson), then say "so what" with whatever hair remains.

Teach your dog to be comfortable in a crate and secure the crate when on the road. Or put it in a seat with a harnes. I assume he/she will be microchipped, but none the less have a tag with your cell phone on it.

Sites like bringfido.com are good for finding dog parks and pet friendly hotels. Have some iso alchohol and peroxide handy in case your dog finds a skunk (there's no RV big enough if he does). And the dog's vaccination records.

Your biggest issue is likely to be heat. Where will the dog be while you're out taking photos? It might well be dangerous to leave the dog in the RV. Or illegal. And some places you want to photograph may not allow dogs.

 

[Ronald Moravec]

I can not imagine the torture of a less than well equipped darkroom. I can see film development to see if all is working well, but actually making quality prints not.

How about a scanner and laptop to tide the urge until you get home and you have proper facilities to make prints. Buy an inverter for power.

Maybe carry a small P&S digital . I have seen some nice P&S pic put on a thumb drive and plugged into a television. Most have a USB port to accommodate.

I would spend the time with family and dog instead of being locked up.

 

[Three Owls]

No family coming, but I think I've decided to make a dark-tent instead as the rv's in my price range are just too nasty to make a darkroom in. This project will be contact printed, I'd hate to make enlargements in a mobile situation unless traveling for an extended time, but I think it could be done... I've played with a graflarger and a column could easily be wall mounted, I'm sure those nice laser-aligners would be well worth it! Probably if I do contact printing on the road I'll just rent a hotel... running water and a bathtub would be very nice.
But I've now got it in mind to shoot and develop from a darktent (dang you luckless ) with a Minolta No 0 achromatic close-up of about 1060mm and I guess around f/22 without a stop. Film will be held on a frame inside and will tentatively be using aristo ortho litho 3 ulf. I'll probably develop later when convenient but think the tent should be able to be set up for it, and I might wish to do exposure proofing on smaller sheets while shooting.