What Alt Processes are safe for a temporary darkroom?

Removed Account · Jul 31, 2007

Since my switch to 4x5 not only have I been dreaming about larger formats, but also about alternative processes. The main catch is that I have very limited space at home so my darkroom is set up in my bedroom after lightproofing. Ventilation is quite poor, which necessitates frequent breaks to air out the room. Are there any processes that would not pose a marked health risk in this environment? I am very careful about handling chemistry, mixing it all in the laundry sink outside my room, and doing the work on a plastic table that is easily cleaned. My main interests are in Pt/Pd and Van Dyke printing, but I am uncertain as to what the risks involved with the chemistry are. Thanks for your help!

- Justin

TheFlyingCamera · Jul 31, 2007

I can't say about Van Dyke, but Pt/Pd is relatively fume free. The two biggest chemical risks are the Potassium Oxalate (only from ingestion, not inhalation) and the clearing bath (if you use powdered EDTA to mix your clearing bath). If you mix them out of your room somewhere with good ventilation, you should be fine. If you're worried about the EDTA, you can just use a sodium sulfite based clearing agent (like Perma-Wash) that is pre-mixed.

If you want a totally harmless alt-process, look at cyanotypes. The only chemical you need other than the cyanotype chemicals themselves is water.

David A. Goldfarb · Jul 31, 2007

Albumen printing and many other UV dependent processes can be done in a room lit with incandescent bulbs, which means you don't really need a darkroom, and can leave the door open. You can even handle sensitized albumen paper with fluorescent lighting, if it's dim enough, or in a dimly sunlit room--say with the blinds drawn--as long as you're not close to the window.

I've made the albumen portion of my albumen printing non-toxic, so that I can prepare the albumen with the same kitchen utensils I cook with--egg whites, vinegar, and sea salt.

Silver nitrate solution and gold toner used in albumen printing, of course need to be handled with care. With silver nitrate I always wear goggles, an apron, and gloves. Silver nitrate drips will blacken skin and can cause blindness if you get it in your eye. It also stains most things.

Vaughn · Jul 31, 2007

cafeharrar said:
My main interests are in Pt/Pd and Van Dyke printing, but I am uncertain as to what the risks involved with the chemistry are. Thanks for your help! Justin

Blow-drying Pt/pd prints can be hazardous -- especially in small unventalated areas. One is basically filling the air with platinum and palladiun salts. It took me 5 years to get start having bad asthmatic symptoms from the pt/pd dust -- some peole might get them sooner, most people later or not at all. Just something to be aware of. Once I realized the hazard I wore a good dust mask and that helped -- but now let the paper air-dry...more time, but better prints, IMO.

Cyanotype would be a good process -- and if you don't like the blue, the cyanotypes can be toned to some beautiful colors and blacks.

Vaughn

Removed Account · Jul 31, 2007

Thanks for the info guys! This means that I'll be hitting the library and 'net today to begin my research. As long as the chemistry can be mixed in daylight or tungsten I'll be OK. The laundry sink area is the hazardous household chemical area anyways, with all the bleach, drain cleaner, bug spray, and all the other goodies with the skull-and-crossbones and skeleton hand symbols on the bottles. Plus, there is a nice big window there for ventilation when mixing. Surgical gloves seem like a good idea for working with the chemistry, and I like Vaughn's idea of the dust mask for working with dry powders. Is that the woven fiber paper-like ones that everyone used in Toronto's SARS scare, or a full out respirator? I appreciate everything so far, this is what makes APUG such a great resource!

- Justin

Jim Noel · Jul 31, 2007

If you are limited for space, alternative is for you. VDB, Salt, PT/PD, cyanotype and possibly others can be done quite easily utilizing only one tray.

Vaughn · Jul 31, 2007

Dust mask --

Not the real cheap ones, but the white ones with several layers of material to filter out the dust -- in a pinch, I have used older ones to filter out the crud from the developer.

Vaughn

Jordan · Jul 31, 2007

I do VDB and cyanotype in my kitchen. Nothing to worry about fumes-wise, but you will need a space to mix your solutions.

juan · Aug 1, 2007

I'd also recommend VDB or cyanotype. A former teacher at a local university taught these processes in the classroom with the normal fluorescents turned on. I was surprised there was no fogging, but she taught this way for years. You might also consider one of those yellow bug lights for illumination.
juan

Removed Account · Aug 1, 2007

I am definitely going to check this out. My university shop has a large assortment of watercolour papers, including Arches Platine, and B&S has a great package deal on cyanotype and VDB kits. When I get back from my trip and have some disposable income again I will begin yet another photgraphic learning experience. Thanks a bunch everyone!

- Justin

What Alt Processes are safe for a temporary darkroom?

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