Sean Esopenko

First Video Detailing Darkroom

April 17, 2011

While I was waiting for the darkroom to warm up before running an edition I decided to record some video of the space and how I utilize the cramped quarters.  I use a propane heater to heat the place, turning it off when using the enlarger.  Power is supplied by extension cables.  I have a strong shop vent installed and a light baffle over the shop vent.

I’ve gotten used to the crammed space and hauling water to the darkroom isn’t tough.  I use fibre paper now almost exclusively since I can leave the prints in a holding bath and bring them all into the house to be washed.  Uniquely, printing on RC paper is a nuisance.  I’m debating whether to move the darkroom to my wife’s new business but that means reinstalling the ventilation, light sealing everything again, etc etc.  It took me about a month to get this shack ready to be a darkroom and warm weather’s coming soon so I might just leave everything where it is.

I’m finding the 75W light bulb in my enlarger to be too dim.  Tomorrow I’ll make a few phone calls to see if I can find a 250W enlarger lamp locally but I have a feeling I’ll have to order a $3 bulb from B&H and pay $8 shipping.  Oh well.

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