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Old 1st October 2013, 01:03 PM
SuzyS SuzyS is offline
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Question Hello and advice please!

I'm pretty new to film and darkroom. I got my first film camera (an olympus OM-2) a year ago and started developing black and white shortly afterwards.

I got most of my equipment second hand and have just started to get the hang of it it my bathroom. I then looked at joining the photography society at my Uni in Loughborough and was shocked to find that there isn't one!

Through speaking to people, I've found that there are lots of people who would be keen to be part of a Uni club, I'd like to set one up as the students union will fund new societies and it could be an opportunity to have a darkroom get in guest speakers and go on trips etc.

But I'm worried.. with the chemicals, ventilation etc, is this a legal minefield? Any advice?

Suzy
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Old 1st October 2013, 09:01 PM
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Bob Bob is offline
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Hi Suzy and welcome aboard.

I would guess there is a potential problem with chemicals and the necessary ventilation in a Uni environment. Saying that, such things are not unheard of - a fair few places still have darkrooms as part of photography courses.

Setting one up from scratch would probably have the health and safety brigade out in force with their clipboards :-) - but there are bound to be official standards that can be met, albeit at a price.


Perhaps someone here will have some personal experience to offer.


Good luck!

Cheers, Bob.
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Old 1st October 2013, 09:58 PM
Lostlabours Lostlabours is offline
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Just go for it, ask for help, most Universities had darkrooms in many departments/facilities until quite recently.

I was head of a department at an HE college before I moved abroad and there were no issues with the college darkroom.

Ian
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Old 1st October 2013, 10:38 PM
Mike O'Pray Mike O'Pray is offline
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Welcome Suzy. I am glad you found us and I hope we can help you in your endeavour to set up a darkroom.

Mike
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Old 2nd October 2013, 05:58 AM
RichardWarom RichardWarom is offline
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Hi Suzy
Welcome to FADU, I'm afraid I can't answer your question but wanted to wish you lots of luck with your project.
Richard
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Old 2nd October 2013, 06:36 AM
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Welcome to FADU, Suzy!
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MonoArt - fine photographs
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Old 2nd October 2013, 06:37 AM
Richard Gould Richard Gould is offline
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Hi Suzy and welcome, Sorry, I can't help you with your problem, but i'm sure others here will be able to, but good luck with the project,
Richard
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Old 2nd October 2013, 10:52 AM
JOReynolds JOReynolds is offline
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Hi Suzy
I can offer, for free, a rather nice complete Opema 35mm colour enlarger outfit (you can use the dial-in filters for variable-contrast B&W as well). Sadly, many workers have deserted silver imaging in recent years and there is a magnificent array of equipment available, free or at reasonable prices. Use this forum to let us know what you need. For example, I equipped my small darkroom with superb equipment at modest cost. And there are several retailers (some sponsoring FADU) specialising in darkroom stuff, new and used.
Your room need not have running water and drainage if there is provision for filling and emptying a 15-litre bucket somewhere close by (try to imagine the problems facing photo-journalists, processing film in hotels before the advent of digital). It's amazing how little space you need, as well. May I wish your project well.
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Old 2nd October 2013, 07:45 PM
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GoodOldNorm GoodOldNorm is offline
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email John Kerr he has lectured at universities all over the UK, he also runs courses from his home at Green Moor just north of Sheffield. john.kerr.photo@gmail.com www.thedarkroom.org.uk
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Old 2nd October 2013, 09:47 PM
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skellum skellum is offline
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Ilford provide masses of health and safety information-
http://www.ilfordphoto.com/healthand...page.asp?n=163

However, no need to run before you can walk. Setting up a club darkroom might be hard- you need a secure space, and an agreement on access times and priority (if you're lucky enough to get a lot of interest).
I spent several happy years in a camera club which had no darkroom. I did all my printing in the bathroom at night.
These days darkroom gear is cheap on the second hand market, so potentially a club could set up a decent darkroom for a few quid per head.
However, how many members might you have?
Will you need a subscription?
That means you'll need to form a committee, and have a treasurer. It's not a big deal, but you'll be surprised how many people are looking the other way when you call for volunteers . . .
I'd think you start by finding a venue, press-gang a couple of friends to help, get some posters up, set a meeting date. To start with, getting people viewing and discussing each others photos. Set a 'challenge' for the next meet ("Take a picture on the theme of . . . ).
Worst case scenario you end up with a couple of new mates, then you just meet in the pub or someone's kitchen.
Best case, you end up part of a thriving photo club.
You've nothing to lose, Suzy. Meantime, hang out here and let us know how you get on.
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