Advice needed: Bare bones darkroom

[Noll]

Hi all, I'm looking for some guidance on setting up a darkroom in my basement. It's been 13 years since I last printed anything, and I don't remember much of it!

This is not my house so everything needs to be completely removable, and the less there is to it, the better.

I'm debating whether to make this a "nighttime" darkroom (if there is such a thing) or to fully mask off an area. I'm leaning to the first option, if possible.

I have the enlarger, and need to get trays capable of handling up to 11x14 prints. Should these trays be actual darkroom trays, or do people re-purpose other kinds of trays that might be cheaper or easier to find? Everything will be sitting on a plywood table.

There is no sink available, but a sanitary tub is nearby so I could use some tips on what people might in that situation. Also planning to use a clothesline and pins for hanging prints to dry...

I know there is potentially a lot more that goes into this so if there is a book or website that people can recommend, I'm happy to learn on my own, but I know there is a ton of wisdom here that I'd like to tap into if possible, thanks!

 

[pakeha]

Not sure where you are from so there may be some confusion with my descriptions.
Black out - black building paper, the paper used to line framing before plaster/timber is put on the exterior. Two layers may be needed to exclude all light, I used this stuff on a glass door, works great and price is right.
Big trays - plastic tool draws, wal mart kinda stuff, three drawer plastic cabinet for storing tools or hobby stuff/crap in. the ones i found are 22 x 16 - $10.00
Sink? how about the baby bath, two even?
No mystery really, make it up as you go along. Probably how it was managed 80-100 years ago. have fun

 

[Vics]

Mine is a nighttime darkroom. It works. You'll need safelights, tables or benches, maybe some blackout cloth (it's beige, not black) which you can get from a fabric store, and just tape it up where you need to seal any light leaks. Gel pads to stand on. Is there ventilation down there? Home Depot for a bathroom ventilator, maybe. Trays were cheap last time I looked. As you're planning, keep your eyes open at hardware stores and thrift shops. Ideas will pop into your head. My darkrooms have all grown up organically. Enjoy!

 

[Noll]

Thanks pakeha and Vics for the advice and perspective. Outside a few extra essential supplies, maybe I've been over-thinking it and just need to get going and roll with the mistakes.

Good to hear there is such a thing as a nighttime darkroom too 😛

 

[Vics]

BTW, don't forget the music. I can't stand printing with out my music, so maybe a boombox?

 

[pakeha]

BTW, don't forget the music. I can't stand printing with out my music, so maybe a boombox?

good call, vital piece of equipment as is espresso machine if you have room🙂

 

[zauhar]

I will assume there is a laundry tub? That is all you need for the "wet area".

I added boards on top of existing cabinets to make work benches, my enlarger sits on top of a out-of-commision clothes dryer. At night it is dark enough for printing. I have found small light leaks do not matter.

For loading film there is one part of the basement which is really dark at night, I set up a separate little table there for that purpose.

Obviously your setup is different, but I bet you can work as well or better with what you have!

Randy

 

[batey_1020]

Interesting little topic. Im yet to make a print. Have the enlarger, trays and most stuff but wanted it to be organised. Reading thins makes me think there is no reason i cant put my trays in the shower area and mke it the "wet" area its 6' x 4' then just have my enlarger on a table.

I think i know my summer project over the christmas period. Now if only i knew if i had all the parts to the enlarger i got out of grandads laundry.

Anyone got any photos of makeshift darkrooms?

 

[RFluhver]

If you really want something bare bones, easy to set up and dismantle, then I suggest getting yourself a briefcase enlarger. Literally, it is an enlarger that is in a briefcase - like this. I have one but it is smaller than what's in that link.

 

[zuiko85]

You can use a red L E D rope light for a safe light. I have one that cuts off at at 630nm, my paper can't see past 570nm. Some places sell it by the foot. I have a 9 foot length wrapped around my small bathroom. Works great.

 

[batey_1020]

This got me thinking tonight. Measured up the bathroom and there is no reason i cant fit a 4' by 2.5' table to fit an enlarger and some trays on. I think there is actually a chance of me getting something set up this summer.

 

[Vickko]

Overall impression of "bare bones" temporary darkroom is "this isn't fun"

I was dry-running the darkroom for print-making in the basement the day before, trying to lay out where trays would go, and where to put the timer and where my dry work space would be.

Print making is different than the "dark requirements" for film. Film, I can process in light. Printmaking needs a large space in the dark, and, dark open tray development.

Last night, I made my first two prints - over exposed contact sheets of a set of 120 negatives. That took over a couple hours.

Sure, I'm still ironing out the kinks in the darkroom, like the wet side only being temporary trays on the washing machine and laundry tub.

And the basement is an ambient 15 deg C, and I only had room to temper the developer and stop bath to 20 deg C. I had to temper the fixer in the tub.

Then trying to get used to handling the paper in safelight darkness, and how much light needed to get the right exposure.

And placing the timer so that I could see it from the wet side. My safelight was on the opposite side of the room, which is great for the enlarger, but I couldn't see the time when I stood at the trays. Fixed that by using the big Gralab, not the tiny Kodak timer.

I didn't get time to print a real photo, but did spend time trying to position the negative correctly and frame the easel and still "learning" my Durst enlarger.

I can see how people transition to digital darkroom for printing really really easily.

Developing film is a piece of cake compared to doing a print.

So, in summary, the darkroom experience wasn't a total disaster, but, can't imagine doing colour. Funny, I used to do cibachrome years ago. Maybe because it was tube-developed, it was so much easier.

I won't give up yet, but, I can sure think of easier things to do. And right now, digital darkroom for printing appears easier.

 

[Noll]

Thank you all for your helpful advice! Speakers are check, Red rope light could work...if I can't solder a battery powered LED fixture together, I may go this route.

Breifcase enlarger is certainly an interesting bit of photographic history, but fortunately my Beseler Cadet II will be able to say in place for several months at least 😛

Vikko - I think understand what you're getting at, but I tend to come at this from the opposite perspective - I've used digital for years and while I used to print semi-regularly, almost never do these days. I see the darkroom as a way to force myself into the print making process. I'll probably skip the contact sheets, though. If there is one decent use for scanners, this is it.

Planning on getting some trays after Christmas and maybe even some prints to ring in the new year!