Whether you're a 35mm purist or an art student, if you have your camera, your film and your art – use these tips to put together an at-home darkroom.
If you ever wished to have your own darkroom at home, this article tells you all you will need to know to get started. Plus, it is optimized with tips for building your darkroom in small spaces like your food storage or your bedroom closet!
There's something pretty rad about watching your snaps come to life.
In this age of high quality digital scanning and output, it seems that the days of the chemical darkroom are over. I’ll admit, it’s been five years since I shot [read more]
Even with the advent of modern technology, using an old school camera gives your photographs a unique look. In addition, printing your own photographs can be a rewarding experience and a fun hobby. The most important requirement for this...
Even with the advent of modern technology, using an old school camera gives your photographs a unique look. In addition, printing your own photographs can be a rewarding experience and a fun hobby. The most important requirement for this...
Last year I wrote about the darkroom I had set up in my loft. Since then I’ve moved house, so I need to build the darkroom again. This time I have a windowless utility room on the ground floo…
I started darkroom printing just a year and a half ago, in autumn 2018. What took me so long? Two misconceptions, mainly – that it’s expensive, and that it’s difficult.
I'm going to teach you how to build a darkroom sink. What I'm not going to do is throw a bunch of confusing choices at you. Especially choices of materials. Well, maybe just a couple. I know how I built my sink and this is what I will guide you...
When setting out your darkroom it is best to set your work flow from left to right. By doing so you are less likely to contaminate the dry side with chemicals or water. You should keep the enlarger table separate from the development table. The dry side takes up less space than the wet side so can be put along a shorter wall. The support for the enlarger should be completely stable and set at a comfortable working level when standing. For a standing position the right height is 95cm (37"). A typical lay out Remember electricity and water don't mix so take particular care when providing power for your equipment. If in doubt consult an electrician. It is not imperative that your darkroom has running water but ventilation is and will need a light proof grate. This may sound strange but make sure that the illumination is sufficient to allow you to see round the room when printing.
Although I've professed my love for film many times in many articles, I've always been missing a key ingredient to the analog experience. Namely, I've never learned to print my own film in the darkroom. Sad, I know. Well, no more! My journey to teaching myself to use a darkroom starts now and, whether you like it or not, I'm taking you with me.
Even with the advent of modern technology, using an old school camera gives your photographs a unique look. In addition, printing your own photographs can be a rewarding experience and a fun hobby. The most important requirement for this...
One of the author’s early darkrooms, using the plywood sink design. The sink had hot and cold running water and a temperature control unit, plus it could hold four 11x14-inch trays. The room also served as an office, hence the desk and light box at left. The enlarger is an Omega D2, capable of enlarging 35mm through 4x5-inch negatives. This black-and-white print was developed in the darkroom in the photo. All photos © Gary Miller
I'm going to teach you how to build a darkroom sink. What I'm not going to do is throw a bunch of confusing choices at you. Especially choices of materials. Well, maybe just a couple. I know how I built my sink and this is what I will guide you...
In this age of high quality digital scanning and output, it seems that the days of the chemical darkroom are over. I’ll admit, it’s been five years since I shot [read more]
One of the author’s early darkrooms, using the plywood sink design. The sink had hot and cold running water and a temperature control unit, plus it could hold four 11x14-inch trays. The room also served as an office, hence the desk and light box at left. The enlarger is an Omega D2, capable of enlarging 35mm through 4x5-inch negatives. This black-and-white print was developed in the darkroom in the photo. All photos © Gary Miller
Although I've professed my love for film many times in many articles, I've always been missing a key ingredient to the analog experience. Namely, I've never learned to print my own film in the darkroom. Sad, I know. Well, no more! My journey to teaching myself to use a darkroom starts now and, whether you like it or not, I'm taking you with me.
Even with the advent of modern technology, using an old school camera gives your photographs a unique look. In addition, printing your own photographs can be a rewarding experience and a fun hobby. The most important requirement for this...
One of the author’s early darkrooms, using the plywood sink design. The sink had hot and cold running water and a temperature control unit, plus it could hold four 11x14-inch trays. The room also served as an office, hence the desk and light box at left. The enlarger is an Omega D2, capable of enlarging 35mm through 4x5-inch negatives. This black-and-white print was developed in the darkroom in the photo. All photos © Gary Miller
Even with the advent of modern technology, using an old school camera gives your photographs a unique look. In addition, printing your own photographs can be a rewarding experience and a fun hobby. The most important requirement for this...
Building your own darkroom to develop film and paper might seem tedious in these digital days. However, if you have the time and space, it can be a rewarding experience that will help you better...
DIY building my own dakroom from a shipping container. In this part I started making wooden Darkroom Sink to fit into my Container Dakroom...
Even with the advent of modern technology, using an old school camera gives your photographs a unique look. In addition, printing your own photographs can be a rewarding experience and a fun hobby. The most important requirement for this...
I’ve moved house a few times over the last 10 years and at each place I’ve set up my own darkroom. I started with a rented flat, where I would develop film in the bathroom sink but ther…
In this age of high quality digital scanning and output, it seems that the days of the chemical darkroom are over. I’ll admit, it’s been five years since I shot [read more]
Even with the advent of modern technology, using an old school camera gives your photographs a unique look. In addition, printing your own photographs can be a rewarding experience and a fun hobby. The most important requirement for this...
Even with the advent of modern technology, using an old school camera gives your photographs a unique look. In addition, printing your own photographs can be a rewarding experience and a fun hobby. The most important requirement for this...
A number of years ago, England-based photographer Dave Miller wanted an at-home darkroom, but didn't have the luxury of converting a spare room in his
This is the printing station. I had no where else to put the print dryer so I just shoved it on the table. Being cheap, I decided to just drywall part of the back wall because I don't want anything falling off between the studs when I'm printing. I left the rest of the wall unfinished. I may build shelving if I find I need additional space. The hardest part is trying to figure out where to store all my junk. I can't believe I've accumulated so much stuff. See progress & details here. Given the area I had to work with and where the plumbing was located, I'm happy with the general workflow.
I’ve moved house a few times over the last 10 years and at each place I’ve set up my own darkroom. I started with a rented flat, where I would develop film in the bathroom sink but ther…
Even with the advent of modern technology, using an old school camera gives your photographs a unique look. In addition, printing your own photographs can be a rewarding experience and a fun hobby. The most important requirement for this...
Building your own darkroom to develop film and paper might seem tedious in these digital days. However, if you have the time and space, it can be a rewarding experience that will help you better...
Although I've professed my love for film many times in many articles, I've always been missing a key ingredient to the analog experience. Namely, I've never learned to print my own film in the darkroom. Sad, I know. Well, no more! My journey to teaching myself to use a darkroom starts now and, whether you like it or not, I'm taking you with me.
Although I've professed my love for film many times in many articles, I've always been missing a key ingredient to the analog experience. Namely, I've never learned to print my own film in the darkroom. Sad, I know. Well, no more! My journey to teaching myself to use a darkroom starts now and, whether you like it or not, I'm taking you with me.
One of the author’s early darkrooms, using the plywood sink design. The sink had hot and cold running water and a temperature control unit, plus it could hold four 11x14-inch trays. The room also served as an office, hence the desk and light box at left. The enlarger is an Omega D2, capable of enlarging 35mm through 4x5-inch negatives. This black-and-white print was developed in the darkroom in the photo. All photos © Gary Miller
Do you love the smell of fixer on your fingertips and the ominous red glow of the safety light, but don't have enough space to build your very own
Even with the advent of modern technology, using an old school camera gives your photographs a unique look. In addition, printing your own photographs can be a rewarding experience and a fun hobby. The most important requirement for this...
Even with the advent of modern technology, using an old school camera gives your photographs a unique look. In addition, printing your own photographs can be a rewarding experience and a fun hobby. The most important requirement for this...
I’ve moved house a few times over the last 10 years and at each place I’ve set up my own darkroom. I started with a rented flat, where I would develop film in the bathroom sink but ther…
A number of years ago, England-based photographer Dave Miller wanted an at-home darkroom, but didn't have the luxury of converting a spare room in his
Whether you're a 35mm purist or an art student, if you have your camera, your film and your art – use these tips to put together an at-home darkroom.
Although I've professed my love for film many times in many articles, I've always been missing a key ingredient to the analog experience. Namely, I've never learned to print my own film in the darkroom. Sad, I know. Well, no more! My journey to teaching myself to use a darkroom starts now and, whether you like it or not, I'm taking you with me.
