Anton Orlov
Photographer 4 P•E•A•C•E
Opening a darkroom shop - any advice welcomed 
Hi there,
So in the next week I believe I am going to sign the papers which will make me the proud owner of a fairly decent space with 6 enlarger stations and all the proper trimmings. I am going to have in them an 8x10 Durst beauty (special pricing for the use of that one) 2 Omega 2D and 2-3 Sauders LPL enlargers (one might end up being a 23C), There is a HUGE sink running the span of the entire opposing wall in the room too so each enlarger has enough space opposite it in the sink to have 3 11x14 trays. There is a loading room of course and another big finishing and film processing room with two sinks (that room could be bigger, but what the heck...)
I plan to do 4 things there:
1) Rent the spaces for a half-day or full day use (I was thinking 40ish for half day or $65 for full or you can get a monthly membership for $150 and then pay only $5 flat per visit - how does that sound?)
2) Offer classes in film photography (with possible 'general' photo classes here and there too)
3) Do custom printing for artists and portrait photographers who still appreciate hand crafted fiber based prints
4) Use that as a base to advertise my own portraiture services
The good thing is that at the moment there seems to be no competition at all for this in this city other than a few community colleges and that's a totally different thing.
Any thoughts?
Hi there,
So in the next week I believe I am going to sign the papers which will make me the proud owner of a fairly decent space with 6 enlarger stations and all the proper trimmings. I am going to have in them an 8x10 Durst beauty (special pricing for the use of that one) 2 Omega 2D and 2-3 Sauders LPL enlargers (one might end up being a 23C), There is a HUGE sink running the span of the entire opposing wall in the room too so each enlarger has enough space opposite it in the sink to have 3 11x14 trays. There is a loading room of course and another big finishing and film processing room with two sinks (that room could be bigger, but what the heck...)
I plan to do 4 things there:
1) Rent the spaces for a half-day or full day use (I was thinking 40ish for half day or $65 for full or you can get a monthly membership for $150 and then pay only $5 flat per visit - how does that sound?)
2) Offer classes in film photography (with possible 'general' photo classes here and there too)
3) Do custom printing for artists and portrait photographers who still appreciate hand crafted fiber based prints
4) Use that as a base to advertise my own portraiture services
The good thing is that at the moment there seems to be no competition at all for this in this city other than a few community colleges and that's a totally different thing.
Any thoughts?
MISH
Well-known
I wish you nothing but the bestest of luck with this venture and sounds like you have some great equipment...... there is nothing more fun than one of those 8x10 Durst
Alpacaman
keen bean
Those big huge Dursts are amazing - I know nothing about operating a shared darkroom space, but it sounds like fun - good luck!
gns
Well-known
How do you intend to handle finishing (washing and drying) of prints?
Landshark
Well-known
Anton, it's a good idea but it's going to cater to a small market, even with the additional services you propose. The membership fee & rates OK, but in terms of 1/2 or full day rates you may want to go a little lower like $30 + $50. I know in my financial situation it's a lot easier to come up with $30, it's a twenty and a ten, not two twenties. The money's not too different but there may be a psychological hurdle for those with limited funds.
It's going to need to be scrupulously cleaned and should be nicely decorated to encourage women to participate.
An area for users to display some work would encourage others to participate with their own. You either use a bulletin board or set something up that would hold the prints up without damage.
Advertising is your friend, as frequently as you can afford, then add more. Local school and college have a newspaper or photo department? Local papers are dying off, something like the local free papers are a better bet.
It's going to need to be scrupulously cleaned and should be nicely decorated to encourage women to participate.
An area for users to display some work would encourage others to participate with their own. You either use a bulletin board or set something up that would hold the prints up without damage.
Advertising is your friend, as frequently as you can afford, then add more. Local school and college have a newspaper or photo department? Local papers are dying off, something like the local free papers are a better bet.
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SteveM_NJ
Well-known
good luck with this, (I always like to hear someone make a go of it)
sounds very interesting,
keep us posted and include images of the setup.
i'm sure many here have lots of input.
( i'll be quiet, listen and learn)
sounds very interesting,
keep us posted and include images of the setup.
i'm sure many here have lots of input.
( i'll be quiet, listen and learn)
sepiareverb
genius and moron
I'd skip the 23C. I run a college darkroom with LPLs and 23Cs, the 23Cs are a headache- the LPLs are a dream. The more recent 23Cs are far worse than the older ones- and if you've got to have a 23C avoid the VC heads- they are no end of trouble. I have three this week that need attention, and haven't had to work on an LPL but once in the past year.
An exhibition space of some sort is a great idea, that will certainly help in getting folks in- a week or two of free wall space after your second session or something might be a big draw.
A Durst 810 is a dream machine to any LF worker- be sure to put the word out on the Large Format Forum, and best of luck!
An exhibition space of some sort is a great idea, that will certainly help in getting folks in- a week or two of free wall space after your second session or something might be a big draw.
A Durst 810 is a dream machine to any LF worker- be sure to put the word out on the Large Format Forum, and best of luck!
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
My college darkroom was outfitted with six or eight Beseler 23C enlargers.
I don't recall any problems, and for 35mm the Negatrans carrier is wonderful.
Chris
I don't recall any problems, and for 35mm the Negatrans carrier is wonderful.
Chris
sepiareverb
genius and moron
ALignment with a 23C is a tenuous affair, rarely does a 23C (or any Beseler in my experience) remain aligned for very long. Add to that the poor build quality of the VC heads on modern Beselers and the LPL is a bargain. Ever tried to re-hook the spring that controls the filter movement on a 23C VC head? Nearly impossible. Even the condensor version 23C needs attention often. The VC head seems designed for child-size fingers to build and not for repair. I have 23Cs and LPLs that are the same age, and are in use in the same darkroom- the LPLs never need any work, the 23Cs are the bane of my day, and the most recent incarnation of the VC 23C (we've got two) have been trouble since they arrived. If I had to pick a 23C I'd go for a pre-XL black model with a condensor head. Just my experience.
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tagheuer
Member
Providing some basic (i.e. common) chemicals and papers supply on site for a reasonable price would help for first timer / beginner who would like to give a shot.
Also the chemicals need to be at a certain temperature so that would need some planning too. I think A jobo machine would be handy. You can collect some fee for its service.
Just my 2 cents...
Also the chemicals need to be at a certain temperature so that would need some planning too. I think A jobo machine would be handy. You can collect some fee for its service.
Just my 2 cents...
jpberger
Established
From my darkroom co-op experience:
+1 on the day rates being too high for what's on offer. Better to start on the low side and then raise them as needed.
If you don't want to end up broke and frustrated seriously consider starting a cooperative with a proper board of directors etc. Long term it will be much less stressful than trying to micromanage everything yourself. The idea that this would dovetail with a portrait business doesn't make a lot of sense to me but that's just me.
I would look into getting a colour machine and accessories- at some point black and white darkrooms are easy to find, But colour is rare. Yes people scan film, but colour darkroom is still valued and sought out by fine art types.
Good luck, and congratulations-- it's a worthy project.
+1 on the day rates being too high for what's on offer. Better to start on the low side and then raise them as needed.
If you don't want to end up broke and frustrated seriously consider starting a cooperative with a proper board of directors etc. Long term it will be much less stressful than trying to micromanage everything yourself. The idea that this would dovetail with a portrait business doesn't make a lot of sense to me but that's just me.
I would look into getting a colour machine and accessories- at some point black and white darkrooms are easy to find, But colour is rare. Yes people scan film, but colour darkroom is still valued and sought out by fine art types.
Good luck, and congratulations-- it's a worthy project.
kuzano
Veteran
Used to visit such a place on outskirts of Portland OR
Used to visit such a place on outskirts of Portland OR
Many years ago (80's), I used to visit an establishment such as you describe (bigger) that offered monthly membership or daily rate. Separate small darkrooms for the enlargers, paper safes for transport, one large constantly replenished processing machine (walk in a revolving dark door on one side to insert your print paper, walk in another door on the other side to retrieve).
The name was U-Develop and I recall they were on Terwilliger Blvd Portland Or. I was up there about 4 years ago, and they are still there, but operate more now as custom enlarging and printing for Professionals and others.
It was a great idea, but at 140 miles to drive, I just never got there often. They did a $40 orientation day to teach the basic operation. You had to take the orientation day before you could rent equipment or join monthly. Frankly, the orientation day was a hell of a good deal, since you got some materials in the price and took home a half dozen 8X10 prints. You also exposed and developed a test strip of each of your negs. They had people at the counter tell you the proper settings on the enlargers for color before you exposed your full size prints.
Used to visit such a place on outskirts of Portland OR
Many years ago (80's), I used to visit an establishment such as you describe (bigger) that offered monthly membership or daily rate. Separate small darkrooms for the enlargers, paper safes for transport, one large constantly replenished processing machine (walk in a revolving dark door on one side to insert your print paper, walk in another door on the other side to retrieve).
The name was U-Develop and I recall they were on Terwilliger Blvd Portland Or. I was up there about 4 years ago, and they are still there, but operate more now as custom enlarging and printing for Professionals and others.
It was a great idea, but at 140 miles to drive, I just never got there often. They did a $40 orientation day to teach the basic operation. You had to take the orientation day before you could rent equipment or join monthly. Frankly, the orientation day was a hell of a good deal, since you got some materials in the price and took home a half dozen 8X10 prints. You also exposed and developed a test strip of each of your negs. They had people at the counter tell you the proper settings on the enlargers for color before you exposed your full size prints.
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