Darkroom class for $250, worth it?

[wooiloon]

I never try to develop film by myself, and recently found a local camera shop offer class for 7 weeks including film processing and wet print, cost $250. Do you think I should go for it or spend the $250 for chemical and try it in my bathroom? Of course I will never able to learn wet print in my bathroom. Please vote and I would like to hear from your experience. Many thanks.

 

[divewizard]

Do the class. $250 is cheap to use their equipment and be shown the techniques. After the class you will have a much better idea of what you need and want.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I learned it in high school, the school I attended offered photography classes taught by the art teacher and I learned a lot there. I think a class can be useful. In 7 weeks you will not become ansel adams, but you'll get the basics that you can build on with practice.

 

[wooiloon]

That camera shop actually hires a local photographer to teach the class and student can actually use their darkroom at rate of $5 per hour after the lesson.

 

[pevelg]

That camera shop actually hires a local photographer to teach the class and student can actually use their darkroom at rate of $5 per hour after the lesson.

Wow, $5 per hour is incredible!! I vote go for it. I paid $500 to take a college course and thought it was worth it (15 weeks though, plus open labs), but I can't use the darkroom afterwards.

 

[wolfpeterson]

There are some things you will always remember like reading or riding a bike. But like those things, you gotta learn from somewhere.

The internet can be a great resource, but with its infinite opinions, can also lead you to insanity.

Take the class.

 

[DNG]

Yes,
You'll value the correct way to do things right from the start.
This is a good investment. And will guide you towards what you will want to get for your own set up...

BTW, a bathroom darkroom is cramped, but, with a tub and piece of plywood on top for your work area can work. I've done it in the past.

 

[tonal1]

Taking a class would probably be great. Whether it's worth $250 is too subjective. If you have $250 and also have food and rent, yes it's probably worth it. Just make sure you bug them with heaps of questions and get you're monies worth! 🙂

Around here, people pay $100 for a one day, four hour class, if that means anything.

 

[robklurfield]

$5/hr? That's great deal! Jump on it. Have fun. Post some scans of your prints here!

That camera shop actually hires a local photographer to teach the class and student can actually use their darkroom at rate of $5 per hour after the lesson.

 

[spanish_inquisition]

I never try to develop film by myself, and recently found a local camera shop offer class for 7 weeks including film processing and wet print, cost $250. Do you think I should go for it or spend the $250 for chemical and try it in my bathroom? Of course I will never able to learn wet print in my bathroom. Please vote and I would like to hear from your experience. Many thanks.

If you've never had any darkroom experience - go for the class. If you did some darkroom work a long time ago - you might know the basics already. Either way, they have the equipment that you might not have: a good room with safe lights, enlargers, print washers, dryers, etc. The only thing that you can realistically do at home is film development in daylight safe tanks. Anything else is out of the question.

 

[f16sunshine]

If the class fills up it is well worth taking/teaching. The chance to learn with other students is imo well worth the $250. I'm teaching a class at a comunity center in february. Our fee is less but as well the class runs only 5 weeks with 10 lab sessions as well. It's called "Basement and Bathroom Darkroom for the home hobbyist". Having taught 2 similar classes before. The comment I appreciate most for your situation was that the class takes some of the mystery out of Darkroom. You will learn the beginner techniques and also just how simple your darkroom set up can be for little money and space commitment. There are many great books available. If you want to get the most from the class. Jump ahead by getting into a good book. You may then have some questions at the ready.

 

[excellent]

Definitely worth it. Go for it.

 

[Edward C. Zimmermann]

If you want to meet people, a class (any class) might be fine but not if your goal is to learn darkroom skills. Dancing might need at least two but printing is not a group activity.
If your ambition is to learn to print then I'd suggest you spend the time and money on books, film and paper. Good skills can't be taught. Its learn by doing. Find someone else wanting to start and learn together.
While advanced classes--- such as "master printing" taught by a master printer--- can be useful, the beginners stuff is generally counter-productive. The best way to learn from mistakes is to make them. $250 USD is best spent making the mistakes and learning by doing.
There are two paths to follow: an apprenticeship with a master or learn on your own. A class is neither. The way to learn is to give yourself time and follow your own path. There are many excellent books and guides to help navigate the waters.
You first need some experience. You need to know you want to go before you head out. Its from here that a class or a tutor might prove helpful.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I learned to develop film with the help of William Lewis, aka wlewisiii here @ RFF, who was kind enough to take me shopping for hardware and even gave me his old plastic tank. However, if it wasn't for him, I probably would have paid something like $100 for a three meeting class to learn how to do it... NOT including wet printing.

So, go for it!

 

[wooiloon]

After reading all the constructive responses, I will go for it, since they provide all the equipments and facilities, and I will ask as many questions as possible to maximize the chances of learning. This is probably much straight forward to learn the basic techniques and home setup. Thanks for your responses.

 

[ElectroWNED]

I say spend the $250 on a changing bag, some reels, tank, chemicals, thermometer, and a scanner.

You can teach yourself how to print by reading stuff online. It is quite easy...

 

[nikon_sam]

I voted to spend it DIY style...BUT
If you have the extra cash getting a good foundation wouldn't hurt...

 

[35mmdelux]

a local community college will show you all you need to know for less. Seems a bit steep to me..

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I would have said the same if the class didn't include the use of a darkroom and were only to develop film; then I would have recommended to use the money on something else. Apparently, the course also gives access to a dark room AFTER class (for a fee), so it's not too bad an investment.

I learned on my own, but when it came to asking questions, I had direct help from William. I should tell him to become an instructor on these things...

 

[35mmdelux]

I paid $35 per quarter for all the hours I wanted in the darkroom in the early 1990s. I took 2-3 photography courses for that amount each quarter. It was a tremendous experience learning/working with other photographers.