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What Basic Supplies Will I Need To Set Up A Darkroom?
Home » Photography » Darkroom Supplies » What Basic Supplies Will I Need To Set Up A Darkroom?Posted by Your Guide on October 3, 2006 9:11 PM
You're going to need a room that can be made completely dark, at least temporarily. Since you'll need running water to mix the chemicals and wash the prints, it is often convenient to use a bathroom or kitchen. However, you'll never need darkness and running water at the same time so it is just as well to have a dry
darkroom and do the mixing and washing elsewhere. If there are any windows in the room you are using, you can temporarily cover them with black plastic, fabric, or other opaque material. Light leaks around the door can be sealed off with dark fabric and tape. Very often it will be most convenient to do your printing after sundown
when the problems of light-proofing a room are minimized. Whatever room you use should have a sturdy counter or table for the enlarger and enough room to set out the four trays of processing solutions.
Since some photographic chemicals can stain many types of fabric and furniture, the area around the trays may be covered with plastic.
Finally, the room must have electrical outlets for the enlarger, timer and the safelight, and should be comfortably ventilated.
The essential equipment you need to set up your darkroom includes an enlarger with 50mm lens, enlarger timer, easel, safelight, printing tongs, set of 4 process trays, 6" glass thermometer, 100 ml cylinder, 650 ml cylinders, 2000 ml mixing beaker, 16 ounce storage bottle, 32 ounce storage bottle, 64 ounce storage bottle, filter funnel, and a 9" print squeegee.
A list of the basic chemicals you will need to set up your darkroom includes paper developer, odorless stop bath, and odorless fixer. Mix these with the appropriate amount of water and store them in your bottles.
When you look for paper, you should start with a gloss RC paper at first, but be sure to try other surfaces, like pearl/luster and semi-matte. Every brand of paper has a variety of surfaces to choose from, but you will need premium 8"x10" sheets, pearl 8"x 10" sheets, and semi-matte papers.
You will also want to have on hand a paper safe. A paper safe will keep unused paper safe from stray light. To protect and store your work there is also an 8"x10" print pages store.
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