The other day, I went to do some darkroom work in the community lab at school.
I forgot what a pain in the patoot it was to do this.
Firstly, the lab tech tells me that I will be the first to be kicked out, because I am a digital photo student. Harrumph. I mean, heck, what am I paying lab fees for again? This made me frustrated, annoyed, and rushed. I was treating every print I made like it was my last, and made a lot of foolish mistakes because I was rushing through it all. medstore-online.com
Second, almost all the students were frantic. People elbowing each other for space, everyone was either rude or grumpy (or both), and I think it's because they were feeling just as rushed as I. Double harrumph.
Community darkrooms are the epitome of chaos.
This experience the other day has pushed me more and more into clearing out the garage to make way for our own darkroom. Kev already owns an enlarger, so we're halfway there. I spent a good chunk of the afternoon clearing out old boxes (from our relocation *last year*... sheesh, it's about time) and moving things around. I think if I do a little bit every day, I can have the space ready within a month.
Then I can be as selfish as I want with the enlarger, take my time with my prints, and have a more satisfactory experience overall.
Sometimes, we gotta take things slow... and we really *should* apply this to every aspect of our lives. It's the most efficient and satisfactory way to get things done.
Slow down, you move too fast.
What are you taking up btw?
transmitted by sK on March 5, 2003 03:30 AMidontknowwhatyouretalkingabout. idontthinkimovetoofastatall.
transmitted by tj on March 5, 2003 04:26 AMWe built a darkroom in an extra large basement closet for my wife. Before that I had set up a portable system for the bathroom. Sealing up all the light is the most difficult, but heavy black curtains and black duct tape help. Also check around at studios for stuff, since most pros are switching to digital they usually have their old darkroom stuff back in a closet somewhere. We picked up a big dark room sink/basin for $50.
transmitted by randy on March 5, 2003 06:20 AMsK, I am not completely sure, but I am attending school under the current goal of an AA in Photography (objective: professional work, not transfer). I've also entertained the idea of taking my love of art further and getting into working at museums and galleries.
Randy, thank you for the tips. We do not have running water in the garage, but if I can get a basin for that cheap, I could probably swing it.
transmitted by courtney on March 5, 2003 11:18 AMWe don't have running water either, in the darkroom anyway. What Jenny does is get one of those water jugs with the spigot and puts a 5 gal bucket under the drain. It's crude but it seems to work. For her rinse bath she has a large plastic tub that fits in the bathtub.
transmitted by randy on March 6, 2003 07:40 AM