The Accommodating Darkroom

[johnastovall]

More from Mike Johnson's musing on darkrooms.

"A friend wrote to ask, why the recent posts about darkrooms? I don't know, really. To pass the time until the long-awaited Olympus shows up in the middle of June? Guilt, after having suggested that Leica-for-a-year, one-camera-one-lens, B&W-only exercise, thus consigning fully converted, Kool-Aid quaffing devotees to actual antediluvian darkroom labor? Narcissism of the nostalgic variety? (It's been nearly a decade since I set foot in a darkroom myself. It is almost surreal that I can say that.)
Whatever. Another reason: it's fun to think about it again, after all this time.
Here are a few interlacing principles of darkroom organization. As you'll notice, some of these aren't entirely separate, and some of them are in mild conflict with each other"


Full essay...

[ChristopherCoy]

John,
You've alwys got something interesting dont ya!

[venchka]

Anything that doesn't involve zeros and ones is interesting. From a hysterical point of view.

Cheers!

[johnastovall]

Ones and zeros burned me out after 34 years....

There is a slower pace with film and wet printing that allows for more reflection on the picture as l'objet à lui-même.

[Big Dog]

I've been following Johnson's posts with interest. This particular one puzzles me a little with the anti-sink thing. I guess to each his own.

Having just moved, I am in the position of ("being forced into") building a new darkroom. The actual start is still a bit off (too many other "things" with higher priorities) but once I start, I intend to blog the progress. In addition to pictures and progress reports, I imagine I'll pontificate a little on how I think darkrooms should be built. Should be interesting, and I'll post the link here once I get up and constructing.

This may not be the dream darkroom, but it should be nice. This will be the 5th dedicated darkroom I've had, and it will definitely be the largest. (Not counting all the bathrooms/laundry room setups) As for equipment and fixtures, this stuff is being thrown in dumpsters, or at least sold very cheap; and if one is careful and patient, it doesn't take long to have all the sinks and enlargers one can use.

[venchka]

LOL! David, did you ever find any surplus Omega D5 6x7/6x9 negative carriers?

[J Eddington]

I thought I would wait to get back into the dark room after the stains on my hands went away. Guess what....they are gone. Time to get equipment!

[venchka]

Originally Posted by J Eddington

I thought I would wait to get back into the dark room after the stains on my hands went away. Guess what....they are gone. Time to get equipment!

You will like coming back to the Dark Side. What film gear do you have?