Not enjoying the Darkroom experience [emoji52]

MrDrizz

MrDrizz

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So I've done a few darkroom printing sessions now and I have to admit that I'm not finding it as enjoyable as I thought I might. While I've been happy with my results I have found the process a little tedius and a little frustrating.

Maybe it's just not for me, still love shooting film though, loving my Russian beauties. Will stick to scanning for now and if I gave a killer shot that needs printing I hire out a darkroom.

Anyway sorry to just dump that on you,.
 
I used to really, really enjoy darkroom work and it was the highlight of many a winter weekend in the late 90s and early noughties. I tried again this past winter with traditional printing, then by developing LF paper negatives in the spring, but the magic wasn't there. I'll be giving it a proper go when the dark nights come in again, so fingers crossed that the buzz will come back! (y)
 
I must admit I'm probably at about 50/50 in terms of whether or not I enjoy any particular session... now and then it just doesn't click for me
 
Not done any wet printing in years. As far as I am concerned unless I were to have a permanently set up dedicated dark room again, ready to go, I just would not bother.
My professional darkrooms never had to be set up or put away. It was a matter of moments to go in and start printing to any size, and any quantity.
I can perfectly understand anyone not wanting to go to all that trouble, when they could so much more easily sit down a a computer and output their prints on an ink jet.
Though if you want the beauty of silver prints the pain comes with the territory.
 
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Hi all, first post here after using my film cameras for the first time in probably 15+ years... Anyway I mentioned to my wife that I’d been looking at an enlarger but she knocked it back with no hesitation :D:D I just can’t get excited about a computer and printer though......
 
scotty38 said:
Hi all, first post here after using my film cameras for the first time in probably 15+ years... Anyway I mentioned to my wife that I’d been looking at an enlarger but she knocked it back with no hesitation :D:D I just can’t get excited about a computer and printer though......
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I might have a basic darkroom setup ready to sell. Just need paper (because I balls it up and left the paper bag open and turn the light on)
 
Almost 25 years since I abandoned a dark room and have never missed it once. I have so much more flexibility now and comfort. If I could not process digitally, I would give up photography and find another hobby. I was once visiting a Mono Exhibition of a specialist club where initially they were all film and darkroom. I asked them what the difference was between the film/darkroom prints and digital. I was surprised that they did not claim that film/darkroom was better but it was different. Oddly of the five I spoke to only one had remained fully true to film/darkroom. A couple were still using film but scanning and one who had always rejected digital had recently bought a Nikon D800 and was enthusiastic about the results he was getting.

Dave
 
Both methods have a place tbh.
I find the scanning etc to be a real drag ( mentally) however it can offer more practicalities sometimes such as adjusting curves .

Darkroom is , for me, fun ..... a bit mad professeur ish [emoji23] lol
 
Well, there seems to be some overlap of interest when it comes to shooting larger formats and wet printing.
I think it helps if you have a particular kind of mindset.
If you can sit on a hillside fannying about with a film camera on a tripod for half a day, leave when the light doesn't happen without shooting a frame and still feel you spent an excellent 4 hours, then that kind of mentality is going to serve you well in the DR...:)
 
joxby said:
Well, there seems to be some overlap of interest when it comes to shooting larger formats and wet printing.
I think it helps if you have a particular kind of mindset.
If you can sit on a hillside fannying about with a film camera on a tripod for half a day, leave when the light doesn't happen without shooting a frame and still feel you spent an excellent 4 hours, then that kind of mentality is going to serve you well in the DR...:)
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Being well into Landscape I am very much like that.
Maybe it's the cramped space.
 
It hurts my back, but I never tire of making wet prints.
A week ago today I was on a beach in the middle of the night waiting for the tide to come in, it came in and brought a load of cloud with it, so that was that.
It was a good recky though for the night after..

God knows when I'll get those souped...:confused:
 
joxby said:
I think it helps if you have a particular kind of mindset.
Click to expand...

Could be an age thing as in the past it wasn't so cheap and easy to get large prints so many of us (paupers o_O :)) had to use the darkrom whether we liked it or not...for me I've done hundreds of B\W and colour prints but never really enjoyed it and just can't go back. :(
Quite amusing remembering those days with loads of proofs on newspapers drying on the settee and floor then another lot for the 8X10s plus.
 
MrDrizz said:
I have found the process a little tedius and a little frustrating.
Click to expand...

I have loved moving to digital but also loved my B&W darkroom, what have you been having problems with?

D
 
Willid1 said:
I have loved moving to digital but also loved my B&W darkroom, what have you been having problems with?

D
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I haven't had any issues, everything has gone as I expected technically.
Just didn't enjoy it.
 
MrDrizz said:
I might have a basic darkroom setup ready to sell. Just need paper (because I balls it up and left the paper bag open and turn the light on)
Click to expand...

Let me know if you do - might be interested to start again (my masochistic tendencies).
 
North Oxfordshire, near junction 10 of the M40.
 
MrDrizz said:
I might have a basic darkroom setup ready to sell. Just need paper (because I balls it up and left the paper bag open and turn the light on)
Click to expand...

There's around zero chance I'll set up another darkroom but out of pure interest what are you getting rid of?
 
scotty38 said:
There's around zero chance I'll set up another darkroom but out of pure interest what are you getting rid of?
Click to expand...
Durst F30 Enlarger,
50mm lens f:4.5,
Timer (wired to work with enlarger)
Focus finder
Safe light
Trays for 8"×10" prints
Tongues
Easel
Contrast filter set (incomplete)

I'd probably throw in the folding table I made for the enlarger. If the buyer would want it.
 
I'd love to do it again. However I wouldn't attempt it without a proper space. The idea of masking up the bathroom and having temporary enlarger setups etc... Makes me shudder.

I do still enjoy making my own prints though. Inkjet all the way :)
 
Harlequin565 said:
I'd love to do it again. However I wouldn't attempt it without a proper space. The idea of masking up the bathroom and having temporary enlarger setups etc... Makes me shudder.

I do still enjoy making my own prints though. Inkjet all the way :)
Click to expand...
I am not thinking inkjet too, I can print scanned 35mm/120 and digital.
 
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