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Wanna set up my own darkroom but…
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hi all my first day photography ireland and my very first post :)
iv been interseted in photography for few years now and im going to start taking it seriously, in a round about way i intend to study it (at some stage) b&w film is what i want to do and to be perfectly honest i can neither afford nor do i want to keep leaving film into labs for development, so doing my own is the goal. but in that field of expertise i have none. my main problem is an enlarger. iv done some research but i do feel overwhelmed. im asking if anyone can point me in a direction to lay my hands on one or what kind or…just so many questions.
any help, big or small, i would be grateful beyond measure. :)cheers everyone
I was seriously thinking of setting up a darkroom a couple of years ago, purpose built shed, no windows, light-lock door, wired and plumbed, then I asked myself what on earth would I do that for? I quite enjoy using film, but building a darkroom would have been a step backwards. We’re in the digital age now, and while Retro is fun, digital rules. There’s a compromise though! I bought a Paterson tank and some chemicals, and I was given a gift of a darkbag. Now I can shoot in Mono,in 35mm and Medium Format, develop my own films, then scan the negatives! Best of both worlds I think. Fair enough, darkroom work is very satisfying, but film, chemicals and photo paper can be pricey.
bigalguitarpicker wrote:
but building a darkroom would have been a step backwards. We’re in the digital age now, and while Retro is fun, digital rules
Why a step backwards? I shot film for years and then went digital, two and a half years ago I went back to film and then setup my own darkroom eventually after I got totally sucked in
I love the process of traditional printing, its a real trade, really rewarding when you get everything right. I got blown away by the look of B&W fiber prints created in a darkroom. I found digitally printed B&W pictures especially landscapes lacked that something that the darkroom prints have, the mood, the drama and especially the tonality is just not there in the digital prints… Still plenty of life in the old dog yet in my book… there’s still a HUGE following for film… just look at http://www.apug.org currently 42,632 people registered and growing…
M
Some years ago, Agnes said to me “Can I ask ye a personal question?” I looked at her, thought about it and replied: “Ask anything ye like. No guarantees I’ll answer ye though.” Reasonably reassured enuff to gather herself and ask what seemed to be something she’d been cogitating on fer a while, she began, “At your time o’day” (Fuck’s sake, sez I, under me breath), “At your time o’day, why d’ye want t’be bothered fuckin’ about wi computers an all?”
At my time o’day? MY TIME O’DAY?? ! ?? Does she think I’m about to shrug off this mortal coil? MY TIME O’DAY?? Do I look like a dribbling incontinent? Have I become OLD??
Billy Simpson for years wrote a column for the Belfast Telegraph (when I lived in Dublin I used to get the Tele in a newsagents in Rathgar. I think I was their only customer) He once penned a column entitled “How Long is my Day?” based on things like people saying his car would “Do him his Day” Billy wanted to know how long “His Day” could be expected to last.
Anyhow, a bit like Billy Simpson and his nebulous “Day”, Agnes’ question deserved a response, so without hesitation (and surprising meself too) I drew meself up to my full height, looked down at Agnes, and pronounced haughtily, “I have no wish to be left behind, sundered from my peers, incapacitated by my lack of understanding or disengagement with the onward burgeoning march of higher communicative technology.”
Agnes maintained a dignified, understated silence for a moment or two, digesting my considered response, before delivering her verdict. Looking me straight in the eye she said “Wud ye ever go an’ fuck yerself?”Now, back to clive08’s original question: You have many options and it is a bit like asking what brand of camera you should buy. There are many good enlargers out there and they’re cheap s/h these days. Common (read easy to find ones) that are good are e.g. Durst and Beselers. If you want to be flexible I can recommend a Durst M605 with colour head; this enlarger allows you to do 35mm and 120 (up to 6×6 though only) and does both b/w and colour having a colour head makes multicontrast work much easier, amongst other benefits. Get a decent book on darkrooms (may be NOT by Hedgecoe, (unless for very general intro only); – there are far better ones).
The other option is of course going the hybrid route, but it’ll probably cost you the same as a darkroom.
Don’t buy into the digital vs analogue discussion. It’s like saying oil is better than acrylic; they’re just different media to work with and film work is hugely satisfying.When buying an enlarger try to get one that will allow you to print 35mm and 120 negatives. Keep an eye on the Buy and Sell, they do come up now and again. Make sure the lenses are clean and have no fungus in them.
You dont say how much darkroom work you have done. If your just starting out I would recommend doing a beginners course with Peter. See link here for the next course viewtopic.php?f=117&t=39082 Its only 75 euro and all paper and chemicals are supplied, well worth doing. I have done a few courses with Peter and have always found them superb
I would recommend getting a good book also. John Blakemore’s “Black & White Photography Workshop” or Tim Rudmans “The photographers master Printing Course”. My personal favorite and the book I learn t the most from is Eddie Ephraums “Landscape photography – Darkroom Techniques” if you plan to print landscapes, lots of useful info at the back of the book also
Have fun
MMartin wrote:
My personal favorite and the book I learn t the most from is Eddie Ephraums “Landscape photography – Darkroom Techniques” if you plan to print landscapes, lots of useful info at the back of the book also
M
Just ordered a copy on ebay for £3.74 inc P&P cheaper than a magazine…..!!!
Lots of good advice there for you Clive. I have an M605 also, great enlarger !
Hard enough to get enlargers here, I had to resort to eBay at the time and was lucky
to eventually find someone to bring it back to Ireland from the UK for me.Martin: I must look for that book !. Haven’t done any printing this year !!!!, Shame on me I know.
i am far to easily influenced, just got eddie ephraums book in the post today. i feel i have read all i can read without doing, i have gone as far as i can without experience. learn by doing and so on and so forth. still on hunt for darkroom gear, found an ad for a durst m601 and other equipment for free so hopefully that will pull through. it could be all crap but its free crap and i figure what ever it is is more than what i have now which is nothing. fingers crossed. thanks for the advice by the by.
clive08 wrote:
found an ad for a durst m601 and other equipment for free so hopefully that will pull through. it could be all crap but its free crap and i figure what ever it is is more than what i have now which is nothing
i could not have been more wrong, met the person from the ad, drove to their house and they preeceded to give boxes and boxes of stuff plus a durst m805 in perfect condition. when i got a chance to have a rummage i discovered everything i need plus a whole lot more. i was takin back by the generosity, wonderful attitude. instead of letting it collect dust somewhere pass it on to someone woh will use it. cant praise them enough, all ineed now is chemicals…and knowledge…and talent. but i have a start now at least.
I replied to the same ad, I was interested in the larger of the two-
it’s very difficult to find larger equipment in this country, at any price.I was too late, unfortunately-
What size film are you using?
And if I might ask, why do you need two enlargers?
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