Buzz
Capture your moments, then bring them to life with prints.
Hemera/ThinkstockAnyone with a creative spirit who has ever observed the activities inside a photography darkroom might have felt the urge to develop their own photographs. There's something intriguing about working in a quiet, dimly lit space illuminated only by a soft red light. In films, the cool photographer often attracts the attention of a charming person while immersed in her work.
The equipment used in the darkroom is fascinating as well: the trays filled with chemicals that transform fleeting moments into lasting memories. But contrary to what the movies portray, developing color photos is much more complex, even for seasoned photographers. Plus, it’s not very exciting! Color photos cannot be exposed to red light, meaning everything happens in total darkness and through a chemical process in a tube! However, creating a black-and-white darkroom at home is a lot easier than you might think. So, the next time inspiration strikes in the middle of the night, you’ll have everything you need to bring those ideas to life. Cute guy not included.
How to Set Up a Photography Darkroom
A darkroom needs to be, well, dark to produce high-quality prints.
Comstock/ThinkstockThe most important thing for your darkroom is, of course, a space that is completely dark. If you don’t have a room to dedicate, you can use a bathroom or a section of your basement. Ideally, the room should have no windows, though that’s not an absolute requirement. There are various methods to achieve the necessary darkness.
You can use layers of black fabric to cover windows or seal the gaps around doors where light might leak through. To test the darkness, simply stand in the room with a white piece of paper in hand. After about five minutes, if you can still see the white, it means there’s too much light coming in.
Having a sink in the darkroom is ideal, but if that’s not possible, make sure there’s one nearby. The darkroom should be divided into two sections: a wet side and a dry side. This ensures that chemicals stay confined to the areas they’re needed, and nothing gets contaminated. The wet side should follow a specific workflow: first the developer, followed by the stop solution, the fixer, and finally the bath. The drying area should be near the bath, away from the other workstations.
Since you’ll be working with chemicals, it’s essential to have a well-ventilated area to prevent fumes from accumulating.
Photography Darkroom Tools
Make sure there’s enough space to hang your prints for drying.
iStockphoto/ThinkstockOnce your darkroom is set up, it's time to visit your local photo supply store to gather the necessary equipment for developing photos. In the dry area, one of the significant investments will be an enlarger to enlarge your negatives. If you're on a budget, there are online guides to help you build your own.
You'll also need an easel, a timer, and of course, photographic paper. For the wet area, three trays of the correct size to hold the chemicals for the photo paper you’re using are essential. You’ll also need three sets of tongs, one for each tray, to avoid cross-contamination between the chemicals.
Ideally, you should already have a worktable at counter height. If not, you can quickly create one by using a 6-foot table raised on plastic bed risers.
A darkroom light is essential, but it can be an expensive purchase. However, many photo stores offer just red bulbs, which are more affordable and can be used in any standard light fixture. You’ll also need chemicals for the developer and fixer, and a simple mixture of water and white vinegar can serve as a stop bath. Thankfully, the only chemical that requires regular replacement is the developer.
