The photographic world may now be overwhelmingly digital, but there’s still no shortage of photographers who prefer to work with trusty film, although finding a darkroom can be a tricky business.
Back in the day, we used to contstruct a makeshift darkroom in our bathroom, much to the chagrin of flatmates who neither appreciated the room being out of bounds for several hours or the unpleasant whiff from the developer and stop bath that tended to linger on.
And then there was the rows of photos all dangling from the washing line above!
Happily, domestic harmony can be restored thanks to a new website that lets film photographers find a darkroom facility near them.
Launched by Harman technology, trading as Ilford Photo, the new LocalDarkroom.com website lets you locate a darkroom near you, and hopes to encourage owners of private darkrooms to their space with others.
“If you are looking for a darkroom and there is none listed in the area you want you can place a ‘marker’ to indicate your interest,” advisers the website.
“Doing so may prompt someone who had not registered to do so and get in touch or may bring groups of photographers together in a common quest.”
Check out the website: LocalDarkroom
Here’s the full press release:
Local Darkrooms Light Up the World with localdarkroom.com
In 2013 ILFORD PHOTO conducted an on line survey via social media networks and with members of APUG. The results confirmed that there are many photographers using film that have no direct access to a darkroom but would like to find one locally. It also highlighted that there are hundreds of private home darkrooms worldwide where the owners may be willing to share their facilities.
HARMAN technology Limited committed to providing a website for the photographic community where the aim is to connect photographers without a darkroom with those who do. The result is www.localdarkroom.com
Public and Community darkrooms are encouraged to make a free listing of their location and facilities. Professionals who teach darkroom techniques are also able to make an entry.Private darkroom owners who are willing to share their facilities can register. If you are looking for a darkroom and there is none listed in the area you want you can place a ‘marker’ to indicate your interest. Doing so may prompt someone who had not registered to do so and get in touch or may bring groups of photographers together in a common quest. Rest assured that if you are the owner of a private darkroom, or someone looking for one, your personal details are not revealed. You can decide to do that only if contact is made using the Local Darkroom Messaging Service. There are no charges for registration.
HARMAN are really pleased with the progress so far considering the launch was first announced on Christmas Eve. There are over 200 successful entries from all around the world. As the numbers grow it will no doubt become a most valuable resource to find a local darkroom when photographers travel around the world for work or pleasure.
Visit www.localdarkroom.com and make your entry. It will not cost you anything but could be of benefit.
