Dark rooms have been used since the early 1900’s to develop black and white photographs. For developing black and white film, the room or area does not have to be completely dark. If you are developing anything with color, the room or area must be free of any type of light. So how do developers see what they are doing?

A safelight is a special amber colored light that gives the developer enough light to see, but it is not bright enough to expose the paper. If you are interested in making a dark room in your home, it is not a difficult process.

The first process is to make sure the work area will be safe. Then you need to ensure that absolutely no light, including sunlight will get into the area. This includes rays of light that can come in under the door. Once you have secured the darkness of the area, you are ready to install equipment.

You may already have some equipment or choose to purchase it new. You may also want to search online for used equipment. Often you can find used equipment in excellent shape at a great price. The most important pieces of equipment you need are an enlarger and lens. If you are buying new, it is likely they will be sold together. If you are buying used, look for a set together. You can purchase each part separately, but they work better if they are from the same manufacturer and of the same quality. You will want to purchase a quality safelight that allows you to see, but does not allow light that will damage your work into the area.

A timer is essential so that you do not over expose your developments. It is easy to get distracted and not notice the time. Even an extra minute or two can seriously damage your project. If you plan to do large prints 8×10 or bigger, you will want to invest in an easel. It is not necessary for smaller sized prints.

The chemicals you purchase will depend on the type of projects you want to do. A photography shop or some online research can point you in the right direction. A few small items you will also need are binder clips and development trays. For easy clean up keep paper towels, plastic spoons, masking tape, and a squeegee available. You should be ready to start having some fun now, and enjoying the results of having your own dark room to work in.

You will need to make sure you have the right chemicals to develop the type of project you are working on. There is a difference in the chemicals you use for black and white film versus color film.

Gently dip the film into the chemical solution. Set your timer and allow your film to process. It is important that you do not leave the film in the chemical solution any longer than needed or it will damage your prints. If you are new to the process, it is suggested you practice will a few sample rolls of film to find the right time for your project. This will prevent your disappointment of ruining important photos should you over expose them. It is also important to be certain the temperature of the water is the proper temperature for the type of project you are working on. If not, your photos will be damaged.

The next part of the process is to put the negatives into a stop bath for approximately thirty minutes. This stabilizes the negatives for viewing in the light. Now wash them. The water should be at approximately sixty eight degrees. The negatives will then need to be hung up to dry. It is very easy to hang a line in your dark room for this purpose. It is important to keep dust in the area to a minimum.

Once you have viewed your negatives, select the ones you want to make prints of. Place them into the enlarger. It is recommended that you use high quality print paper for the best results. The process can be time consuming, but most who do it love being able to make their own prints.

You can make your own dark room sink if you can’t afford to purchase one, or if you just want it designed to your own specifications. You will need PVC that is 1/8 of an inch thick. It comes in large sheets, but can easily be cut to any size using an electric saw. It cuts very easily. You will need a piece of plywood to glue the PVC to. PVC pipe cement, PVC pipe primer to soften the PVC before gluing, PVC cleaner to remove grease, a large piece of wood for the sides and back, and a 2×4 to make legs. Use a regular plastic kitchen drain and be sure to waterproof the surface of the wood so it will last a long time.

Another option is to simply use a sink or even your bathtub to develop your film. It is important that you make sure they are clean of all soaps and dust prior to using. It is possible the soap can react with the chemical process, damaging your negatives and prints. Whatever method you choose, have a great time creating your photos!

The enlarger allows you to take your negatives and make them into the size of prints you want. The lenses allow you to magnify the negatives. All of the other items are for ease in processing.

The cost of a dark room print varies from seventy five dollars to thousands of dollars. It really depends on what quality you are wanting. If you are doing this as a hobby, most average priced kits will meet your needs as well as provide you will good quality photos. If you are doing professional jobs, then likely you will want some advanced kit with the top of the line products.

You can find great deals on used dark room kits at some photography shops or online. Ebay has pages of photography equipment for sale. Regardless of the kit you choose, it should provide you with all the basic items you will need to get started.

You can extend the life of your dark room chemicals by storing them in no-air collapsible storage bottles. The bottles are made of heavy polyethylene. They can be stored for at least six months without any changes to the chemicals. You can further extend the life of your chemicals by making sure the area is free from too much heat or humidity. Some people store their chemicals in the bathroom or a laundry room. Thus the build up of heat and moisture. It greatly alters the affect of the chemicals. Some people choose to store their chemicals in the refrigerator or the freezer. Just be sure they are carefully labeled!

The internet offers a wide range of dark room chemicals. You should be able to find the right products to complete the type of developing you do. The internet also offers research to identify the types of chemicals you should use for your particular projects to ensure quality results.