Should I Think About Building my Own Darkroom?
Sunday, July 13, 2008 @ 12:25
Many photographers dream of having their own darkroom to process photos. But they don't take the dream one step further because they think such a facility would cost more to equip than it actually would.
Well, don't let that dream go too quickly there, because outfitting your own darkroom from a spare bedroom or unused garage is actually much easier than you think.
The quite simple requirements for a darkroom are: running water, a way of blocking out the light, a dry area to dry out your pictures, and some stable work surfaces. And that, my friends, is about it.
Now let's take each of these items separately. How do we block out light? Well, how about blocking any windows with thick masking tape some aluminum foil or a purchased blackout shade. Light can be blocked from the doorway by hanging a blackout shade over the door that goes down to the floor and extends beyond the door's sides.
Now what about running water? This can be a bit tricky, but it's not impossible. It's best to install a sink at least five feet long. You'll want one tray with holes on one side, and a short hose leading from the faucet to a deep tray. You'll also want about four smaller trays of a size of approximately 11" x 14" as well. You will want to clearly divide the room into a dry side and a wet side for chemical processing. You'll also need appropriate ventilation for this room, such as a lightproof extraction fan mounted above the "wet" area of the room, or perhaps a range hood or conventional extraction fan, such as those used in most kitchens and bathrooms. You'll also need an area for secure chemical storage (especially if you have young children or pets in the house) and room to hang processed film to dry.
Other equipment you may want to consider acquiring for your home dark room is a fairly decent photo enlarger. Basic features to look for are a standard lens mount, and a facility for a glass-less negative carrier. Also, make sure that the bulbs your enlarger uses are readily available in your area at an affordable price. If money is a major consideration, try visiting online auction sites to obtain this equipment in the used market. You will probably get a better unit that way than by opting for something that may be new, but won't do the job.
