Who rents out their darkroom?

Was wondering how common it was for people to make their darkrooms publicly available?

There are a couple near(ish) me, a few private and commercial. The prices can vary quite a lot, from as little as a couple of pounds an hour if you provide your own chemicals and paper, all the way to £100 a month for colour facilities including chemicals and paper.
The one i use is only £10 a year and includes chemicals, but it's a long drive limiting the time i can spend there. Plus it's VERY neglected and cant do colour.

This has lead me to slowly acquiring the kit i need to have my own darkroom, which so far includes a Jobo CP2 and Colour enlarger plus loads of other bits, and has cost me little more than pocket change.

I have, and am part of the Ilford Local Darkroom scheme.

Ian

Ian Grant said:

I have, and am part of the Ilford Local Darkroom scheme.

Ian

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I've seen that one, there is Local darkroom too http://www.localdarkroom.com
I found it seems to have more users...

TattyJJ said:

I've seen that one, there is Local darkroom too http://www.localdarkroom.com
I found it seems to have more users...

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That's exactly the same website There is another darkroom rental website but I can't remember the name off hand.

Ian

Ian Grant said:

That's exactly the same website There is another darkroom rental website but I can't remember the name off hand.

Ian

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Ha, my bad for not actually clicking the link!
I just assumed it was this one from Ilford http://www.ilfordphoto.com/photocommunity/darkroom.asp

Interesting concept.
I would not open my personal darkroom tough.
- How is the physical access to the darkroom, though the house or an outside door? I don't want strangers in my house.
- There is a lot of $$$$ invested in the darkroom: enlarger, lenses (which are small enough to easily disappear out the door), and other gear. I would not like to have to take an inventory of the darkroom before and after each time the darkroom is used.
- Another concern is liability insurance while they are on your property. That is an unfortunate concern in the US.
- Another issue is care of equipment. I've seen how people in schools and clubs treat gear that is not their own, and I would not want my gear to be treated like that. Maybe I 'baby' my gear, but that is one reason my gear has lasted as long as it has.
- How will you handle damage to equipment? Was it damaged before the renter got there, or did he damage it? I can see a lot of finger pointing here.
- I would only invite selected friends that I TRUST and feel comfortable with, and that is about it.

This is why when I left home, and my purpose made darkroom, that I figured out a way to develop and print in my various homes (apartment, flat, or house). They were not convenient as the darkroom at my parents home, or as nicely setup as the darkroom at the local community college, but doable if I really wanted to print. If you really want to print, you can usually figure out a way to do it. Luckily in my case, I took the gear that I used at my parents home with me, so I did not have to build from scratch.

Certainly in California using the darkroom for commercial purposes would bring up questions of business licenses, whether you could do it in a residential area, etc. I have let people use my darkroom on occasion, and might again, as a favour. But it would be very much a 1:1 arrangement. My darkroom does not have an attached bathroom, so the house is involved.

These are the kind of things that worry me about it.
Though I think it's pretty neat to offer such services when it's is so rare now, even if it is making a bit of a come back, it's still a dying art for the most part.
But there is 'always one' who will try and take advantage...

Seems a shame to have a fully(ish) equipped darkroom that only gets user once or twice a week at the most

Given that I don't yet have a dark room it is a tad difficult to rent or loan out. However the idea of having one attached to a studio space that I can rent out/share with friends is really growing on me.

The more I get out in public now with film gear, the more I run into people who are expressing an interest in it, but most of them seem to lose steam at the idea of having to set up a space to work with or the expense of sending out for service.

While the idea of setting up a space to rent out or use as a photo-coop is no at the top of the list of priorities as compared to just establishing a solid work area for my own personal projects, it is something that I'm more than happy to try and make happen here locally as something to help support the arts in general.

I don't think I would aim for something that is completely unsupervised or allowing nearly anyone to walk in off the street, but getting a space together to host photographic centric social events would be pretty great. Even if the space does just end up being setup in my home, rather than attached/nearby or on a completely different property somewhere, then I think it could still be great to get a small group together a few times a month for coffee, darkroom work, and discussions on things.

Luckless said:

The more I get out in public now with film gear, the more I run into people who are expressing an interest in it, but most of them seem to lose steam at the idea of having to set up a space to work with or the expense of sending out for service.

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This is what i believe is what holds most people back. While they may reminisce about doing it many years ago and would like to again, or have always wanted to have a go, when they realise how much work is involved or the cost of film and developing these days they soon change their tune!
At least this seems to be the story from most people i talk to about it, not all, but deffo most.
Instant gratification is king these days!

Anyway, i've gone off subject...
Doing it threw some kind of club would probably be the safest way to arrange it. At least then you may have a way to vet people before inviting them to use your precious equipment!
While it would also probably be the most fun way to do it, it is also the most hard work. Someone would have to arrange all this and effectively form a club, alas this is not something i have time for by any means, nor the patience if i'm honest

If you have a space to work in that is large enough for a few people to share, then it really doesn't need to be any more difficult than making a point of meeting more photographers and inviting people over for coffee. - "I'll be getting set up to do some printing this weekend. Anyone want to join?"

Of course the hard part is finding suitable friends to take part.

As for other people getting into doing their own film work, I've found that it has mostly been people being unaware of how simple and inexpensive it can be rather than a lack of desire to put any effort into it. There is still a lot of 'black magic' in perception of film, and people are frequently surprised at how cheap it can be to get into. They assume they need a complex lab, piles of expensive equipment, etc. Also doesn't help that people are under the impression that "Film is dead" and film related stuff is now hard or impossible to get your hands on.

More than a few people I've talked to have been shocked when I told them I use special tanks that are $30-40ish a piece, a changing bag, some cheap containers and odds and ends, and fairly inexpensive chemistry, all while setting up to develop my own film in a small bathroom at home rather than a complex lab with thousands of dollars worth of equipment taking up a large specialized room.


In general perceptions of film seem to be getting turned around, and interest is growing. In a way film really benefits from the "Sidewalk astronomy" approach of public education and making knowledge and resources available. Lots of people are interested in general about photography, but only a handful take that initial leap on their own to put the time and effort into exploring and discovering. Other people need a little nudge.

You are right, it is the initial thought of people that do not know what is "really" involved that scares people.
It is really not all that difficult, if one has some experience and puts their mind to it. I can print 35mm or 6x6x in a small half bath. Not as convenient as a full blown darkroom, but doable. Small temporary/makeshift darkrooms are a compromise, but at least I can print.
And a LOT of the stuff is not hard to find photo gear; kitchen measuring cups, trays/tubs and clothes pins from the Dollar store, empty milk jugs for chemicals, etc.
And the used enlargers, lens, timer, etc. is cheaper today than it was when I started many years ago. And free if you are lucky.

Hey TattyJJ.

I don't have my own printing facilities so use a darkroom in Manchester at approx £34 per four-hour pop. Which seems in line with other dark rooms around the country. Curious to know about the two you use (the £100 p/month one and the £10 p/year).

I agree with other thread commenters concerns about opening personal darkrooms to the public, regarding personal investment in equipment, health and safety etc. But in the UK there aren't always a ton of readily accessible options. With time and a bit of space, I'll hopefully have the resources to build one of my own.

TattyJJ said:

Was wondering how common it was for people to make their darkrooms publicly available?

There are a couple near(ish) me, a few private and commercial. The prices can vary quite a lot, from as little as a couple of pounds an hour if you provide your own chemicals and paper, all the way to £100 a month for colour facilities including chemicals and paper.
The one i use is only £10 a year and includes chemicals, but it's a long drive limiting the time i can spend there. Plus it's VERY neglected and cant do colour.

This has lead me to slowly acquiring the kit i need to have my own darkroom, which so far includes a Jobo CP2 and Colour enlarger plus loads of other bits, and has cost me little more than pocket change.

Click to expand...

Anyone I would invite into my home to use my darkroom would be some I would let use it for free.

faberryman said:

Anyone I would invite into my home to use my darkroom would be some I would let use it for free.

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In the past I have let friends use my darkroom, at no charge. However I've also given help and tuition to people I don't know and it's only fair that there's a contribution towards the upkeep of the darkroom and it's equipment as well as electric and water costs.

I have enlargers specifically for others to use, there's sensible precautions like the use of safety trips on the dish warmer, pull cords for the white lighting so electric switches aren't touched by wet hands.

Ian

faberryman said:

Anyone I would invite into my home to use my darkroom would be some I would let use it for free.

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But if it is someone you know that well, you also might consider doing things like sharing costs and pooling resources to buy supplies and maybe equipment with them.
It is that sort of informal co-op that makes the most sense to me.

Luckless said:

If you have a space to work in that is large enough for a few people to share, then it really doesn't need to be any more difficult than making a point of meeting more photographers and inviting people over for coffee. - "I'll be getting set up to do some printing this weekend. Anyone want to join?

Of course the hard part is finding suitable friends to take part.

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The easiest way would be threw a photography club of some kind, i don't have the time nor inclination for clubs much, never have.

ac12 said:

And a LOT of the stuff is not hard to find photo gear; kitchen measuring cups, trays/tubs and clothes pins from the Dollar store, empty milk jugs for chemicals, etc.
And the used enlargers, lens, timer, etc. is cheaper today than it was when I started many years ago. And free if you are lucky.

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You'd be amazed at how much you can get hold of for free! I'm off tomorrow to pick up another job lot of kit including a load of unopened chemicals for nothing!

picturesandwords said:

I don't have my own printing facilities so use a darkroom in Manchester at approx £34 per four-hour pop. Which seems in line with other dark rooms around the country. Curious to know about the two you use (the £100 p/month one and the £10 p/year).

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I'm way down south in Hampshire so bit far from you, but the £100 a month one is a pretty well equipped place that has all the mod cons for colour and B&W and provides everything, but the price is much too steep for me!
The £10 a year one is part of a local university that is open to the public, but according to the logbook only got used 8 times all last year. So everything in there is totally neglected, a mess or just missing!
There are several other around my way for similar to what your paying, some more some less, depends on what you're after really.

MattKing said:

But if it is someone you know that well, you also might consider doing things like sharing costs and pooling resources to buy supplies and maybe equipment with them.
It is that sort of informal co-op that makes the most sense to me.

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Now this would be the ideal set of circumstances, especially for things like buying colour chemicals. Though i plan to go down that route, it is likely i will struggle to use them up before they go bad.
Of course there is still the possibility of problems arising from who owns what or one person using more than their fair share....
The space i have in mind is pretty small, about 2 x 2.5 meters, but enough for 2 people just about if laid out well.

MattKing said:

But if it is someone you know that well, you also might consider doing things like sharing costs and pooling resources to buy supplies and maybe equipment with them.

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Once you start sharing costs, you kind of lose control over setting schedules.

faberryman said:

Once you start sharing costs, you kind of lose control over setting schedules.

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Sort of like marriage.
But the potential for sharing things compatibly makes it worthwhile to consider.
One of the traps that one can fall into with photography in general and darkroom work in particular is that there is a temptation to spend way too much time by oneself. Adding some opportunity for interaction with others can really enhance the experience for many (but certainly not all) people.
The darkroom group that I belong to brings me much satisfaction.

MattKing said:

Sort of like marriage.
But the potential for sharing things compatibly makes it worthwhile to consider.
One of the traps that one can fall into with photography in general and darkroom work in particular is that there is a temptation to spend way too much time by oneself. Adding some opportunity for interaction with others can really enhance the experience for many (but certainly not all) people.
The darkroom group that I belong to brings me much satisfaction.

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I love my time alone on photography but I also usually loved it when I used a community rental darkroom and was able to meet other people and see what they were doing. I'm interested in the idea of community darkrooms for this reason, though I'd never voluntarily give up my own private space either. Part of the reason I stopped going to the communiity darkroom was one incredibly obnoxious person who wouldn't leave me alone.

But I'd really like to see some sort of rental/coop community darkroom started in a city that I spend a lot of time in that doesnt have any rental darkrooms. But that should probably be in its own thread. I don't think I would even be comfortable renting out someone's private home darkroom, I would feel like I was intruding even if I was paying them.

ac12 said:

Interesting concept.
I would not open my personal darkroom tough.
- How is the physical access to the darkroom, though the house or an outside door? I don't want strangers in my house.
- There is a lot of $$$$ invested in the darkroom: enlarger, lenses (which are small enough to easily disappear out the door), and other gear. I would not like to have to take an inventory of the darkroom before and after each time the darkroom is used.
- Another concern is liability insurance while they are on your property. That is an unfortunate concern in the US.
- Another issue is care of equipment. I've seen how people in schools and clubs treat gear that is not their own, and I would not want my gear to be treated like that. Maybe I 'baby' my gear, but that is one reason my gear has lasted as long as it has.
- How will you handle damage to equipment? Was it damaged before the renter got there, or did he damage it? I can see a lot of finger pointing here.
- I would only invite selected friends that I TRUST and feel comfortable with, and that is about it.

This is why when I left home, and my purpose made darkroom, that I figured out a way to develop and print in my various homes (apartment, flat, or house). They were not convenient as the darkroom at my parents home, or as nicely setup as the darkroom at the local community college, but doable if I really wanted to print. If you really want to print, you can usually figure out a way to do it. Luckily in my case, I took the gear that I used at my parents home with me, so I did not have to build from scratch.

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I, too, "baby" my gear and that along with all the other reasons given above is the reason I neither rent nor loan my darkroom to others whom I don't know and if I do lend my darkroom to another, it is "by invitation only". Besides, at my age (86), I will clean up after me but not anyone else......Regards!

I have to admit, i also quite like the time by myself and the quiet.
But, to share does have big advantages like sharing costs and knowledge. I'd quite like to use a proper community darkroom too, but the costs for a good one that offers colour facilities just isn't worth it. It's much cheeper to have your own darkroom if you've the space as best i can tell.
If i was to come across someone like minded local to me i'd deffo put it out there to invite them in.

Ian Grant said:

I have, and am part of the Ilford Local Darkroom scheme.

Ian

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My darkroom has been listed since Ilford launched this concept... No interest received to date! However, a few locals are now spending time in my darkroom but not on a pay to use basis. Each user provides their own consumables. It is just good to be able to share my amenity and receive in return the companionship with others having a shared interest. Fred

Ozxplorer said:

My darkroom has been listed since Ilford launched this concept... No interest received to date! However, a few locals are now spending time in my darkroom but not on a pay to use basis. Each user provides their own consumables. It is just good to be able to share my amenity and receive in return the companionship with others having a shared interest. Fred

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I've been surprised by the lack of interest, I've been contacted twice the first by a journalist writing for a photo magazine who featured the Ilford Local Darkroom scheme and my darkroom. The second was by the carer of a disabled wheel chair bound photographer (doing a degree course), they needed a darkroom with wheel chair access no-one else replied to their emails, I was able to help out.

I think there's more to just sharing our darkrooms, in many cases it'll be the first time the person has been in a darkroom and it's about encouraging them to set one up themselves.

Ian

Ian Grant said:

I think there's more to just sharing our darkrooms, in many cases it'll be the first time the person has been in a darkroom and it's about encouraging them to set one up themselves.

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I really couldn't agree more! I've been in a darkroom so few times you could count it on one hand, but those few visits were perfect to show me the ropes and that i wanted to pursue this. And thus a darkroom is currently in construction in my garage
Lets face it, how many people set up/construct a darkroom having never used or been in one before...