Critique Required Building a Darkroom

[Nihat Iyriboz]

This is an entry on my blog that is connected to my website. I first wrote this illustrated article in Turkish, and slightly expanded the English version just today.

I tried to add this entry in the blog area of RPF as a link. I am not too sure about the visibility of it. However, here it is - for your review. Hope you enjoy.

Building a Darkroom - N

 

[Pete Askew]

Interesting Nihat, thanks. I should add some more detail to the thread showing my darkroom in Germany and maybe show the one in the UK as well.

http://www.realphotographersforum.com/analogue-processing/672-thats-too-bad.html

 

[Chris Dodkin]

A very nice write up Nihat - I can see the care in your images is really a reflection of your attention to detail through the whole process.

There are few few home processing folks on here, as well as a few pro processing folks, looking forward to seeing and learning more about how you all create the 'magic'.

You mentioned recycling centers - And knowing how CA is about chemicals, how does all that factor in to what you can or cannot do?

 

[Nihat Iyriboz]

Pete, thank you for directing me to your darkroom post. I did not know it existed. The darkroom you have built is something I can only see in my dreams. Beautifully done.

Looking forward to your additional posts.

 

[Nihat Iyriboz]

Thank you very much, Chris.

I hope to share how I do things in spaces not necessarily too easy to work from. When started working in the darkroom, I had a collapsible table which barely fit between the door and the drying machine, with 3 16"x20" trays on the top. I had to set it up 5 days a week by putting myself under, carrying it and opening the legs of the table to fit it in. (some neck injuries were involved) That placed evolved as the years passed. What, I have now is a significant upgrade in some ways, and it will change as I work my way to what I have in my mind. It is pretty close to how Pete works. I think, the space, like Pete's, is very important in the comfort and productivity of the whole process.

Regarding recyling, I cannot shoot the radioactive barrels like the guys did at Santa Susanna Field Lab, not far from any of us here. [doh] I think the San Francisco Bay Area facilities were more accessible in bringing my fixer and toner waste. Here, it is by appointment. I stopped using selenium toner when we moved to SoCal. So, practical I am down to fixer plus Rodinal which I use little.