Darkroom

If you’ve already looked at my cameras page, you’ll know that all but one or two of my cameras take film.

Using a camera is only half of photography. If you shoot digital, you’ll probably use Photoshop or similar to edit your photos. Working in a darkroom is the “other half” of film photography, and I find it hugely satisfying. You can see more photos of my darkroom on my blog.

I have the equipment and chemicals to develop various colour and black & white films, in most formats including 35mm, medium format, large format and Super 8, and to make black & white prints up to 16×12″. Going larger than this means developing in a trough rather than a tray, which I haven’t yet tried.

Usually I scan the negatives after developing them. I then make prints of my favourite photos, and recently I experimented with autoradiographic plates. You might also like to read my blog for other articles about photography.

I like to “own the process” from start to finish. I like to choose one of my vintage cameras, and choose the best film for that camera and for my purpose. Then I can develop the film myself, and scan it or print it. The result is a picture I’ve made.

• De Vere 54 large format enlarger with LED conversion
• Schneider-Kreuznach Componon-S 50mm f/2.8 enlarging lens for 35mm
• Toshikato 75mm f/3.5 enlarging lens for medium format
• EL-Nikkor 135mm f/5.6 enlarging lens for large format
• Paterson Auto Colortherm film & print processor
• Easels including 24×20″, 16×20″ and 10×8″
• Processing trays up to 16×12″
• Various developers, toners and sundry chemicals