Once upon a time in the 70’s, before digital cameras, I wanted to be a photographer. I took classes. To be a “good photographer” one must take a lot of pictures so I used black and white. It was the cheapest way to go.
Color pictures had replaced black and white. It took an extra three days to have B/W developed. That was way too long for an anxious photographer to wait.
I researched what was needed to set up my own dark room. For a mere $7000 I could have a modest dark room. I read and studied some more. I discussed it with my husband. The end result was a makeshift darkroom in the bathroom for $500. When not in use, it folded up into a box.
The darkroom was challenging, rewarding, and mind expanding. The whole process was one thrill after another. The best part was that I could have a print copy one hour after I took the picture.
Using the enlarger was the greatest thrill of all. I could print the picture on different photo papers to create different effects. I could zoom in and print only part of a picture. The possibilities were endless.
Just when I was getting good at it and didn’t have to rely on Steve to help me, we moved to a new city to a new job. The darkroom got packed up and stayed in a box.
I still have all the piece parts thinking that someday I will recreate that thrill I experienced so many years ago. That will never happen now. We are moving to a much smaller house and I don’t have room to take my darkroom. I have it for sale for $100.00. Maybe there is a thrill seeker in the central New Hampshire area…
Have you ever had your own darkroom?
Mom Pop Pow – Where You Can Do It If You Try
Diane Brogan