Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Pick a room in your residence that will be designated as your permanent darkroom. Clear out all furniture and belongings so that the room is clear. Try to a pick a location that has been plumbed for running water if possible. Run a light bulb socket holder or lamp into the room if it is not already wired for a ceiling lamp.
Install a personal refrigerator to store development chemicals ̵1; this avoids having to go outside in the middle of development for supplies. Install a liquid work tray table in the room with a water pump if a sink cannot be installed. The table should measure approximately 2 feet by 4 or 6 feet.
Install a long table, running parallel to the wet table, on the other side of the room, measuring approximately 2 feet by 4 or 6 feet long. Use this second table as a dry work space.
Seal off any windows in the room if they exist. Use plywood and attach it to the window frames if necessary via hammer and nails. Close any gaps with sealant to block outside light. Fit foam sealant around the frame of the door and install a drag strip on the bottom of the door to block light from underneath. Make sure the room is pitch-black when you close the entrance door. Use the darkroom only at night if you can̵7;t completely block out all light.
Run a power strip from your electrical wall source to your dry work space if you can̵7;t locate the table near a plug.
Install a ventilation fan in the ceiling above your work area. Go into the attic or ceiling above. Drill a hole into the drywall ceiling below. Cut a cavity to fit a ventilation fan with a jigsaw power saw. Plug the ventilation fan into the cavity. Run the wiring through the attic to a power source. Run the switch wiring down into the room along the wall to turn the fan on and off. Apply sealant in any gaps. Have an electrician check your work to be safe and avoid fire hazards.
Set up your trays in your wet work area so that you have a sufficient number for your development work and they all fit on the work space. Position the wet work area below your plumbing faucet and connect to a drain if possible. Use a water pump and portable drain system if no plumbing is available.
Install a darkroom safelight bulb in your ceiling or lamp socket. Turn on the light and close the darkroom. Pull out a piece of photographic print paper and place an object on it. Wait 10 minutes. Reduce the wattage on the bulb with a smaller one or red one if an outline appears. Test until you have a bulb that won̵7;t cause accidental imaging on your paper.
Bring in your enlarger, timers, hanging wires, and paper-cutter equipment. Place them on your dry work space and plug their sockets into a power source so they are ready to use. Run your hanging wires across the room above your head. Anchor the ends to walls with screws and a screwdriver. Use the wires to dry your prints after they have been chemically treated, clipping them to the wires with clothespins.
Begin using your darkroom.