Gast
I suppose I’ll soon have to set up my darkroom in the flat. Since the kitchen and bathroom aren’t really suitable, the bedroom is really the only option left (I can’t rinse things there, obviously).
However, I really don’t like it when my clothes stink of fixer after a session in the lab… Besides, I’m a bit worried about my delicate health.
What do you think, those of you who are or have been in the same predicament, or who know a thing or two about handling photographic chemicals? Is it possible to do this if you always air the room properly after development and store the trays and chemicals elsewhere, or should living spaces be off-limits for such things?
(I’m mainly referring to developer and fixer – toners aren’t a factor in my considerations for now.)
Urnes
Hello,
To be honest, I’d definitely prefer a bathroom or kitchen, if only because of the risk of accidents with developers or fixers. Perhaps there’s also a basement room available that you could use.
If not, why not get in touch with the local adult education centre or school to see if they have a darkroom you could use from time to time? That’s how I managed to get by for a while – the equipment at the adult education centre was top-notch, and you could work there late into the night with a lovely bunch of people.
Best regards, Sven.
Gast
Hello!
I live in a shared flat, I’ve got just one room all to myself, and that’s where my darkroom is – right under the loft bed! It’s not a problem at all; SW chemicals really don’t smell that bad, and I’ve never had clothes end up smelling of fixer – what sort of fixer do you use?
Occasional airing doesn’t do any harm, of course – even if you don’t have a darkroom... ;-)
For developing (if it really does smell), I prefer to go into an antechamber – there I have more (day)light, I’m closer to running water (the bathroom) and I can ventilate better (balcony door open!).
Roman
Urnes
Hi Roman,
I usually use Hypam from Iford. And I tend to get quite stuffy down in my basement. I have to say, though, that I’m quite tall and the basement ceiling is quite low. Plus, of course, the windows are taped up, so all in all the ventilation is pretty poor. I just really have the problem that I’m always making a mess with the chemicals because the large 40x50 trays are so unwieldy. I didn’t exactly want to do that sort of thing in my bedroom. But I reckon if you’re used to working cleanly and it’s a large room, it’ll probably be fine. OK, I admit, it’s still better than not doing any prints at all :D
I don’t really know, though, how well or poorly hydroquinone breaks down. That’s not exactly healthy.
Regards, Sven.
MirkoHaesslich
Hello!
I don’t think the bedroom is the right room for it. Just the dust floating around in there – it’s not exactly a happy place! I’ve been there before! NEVER AGAIN!
Carpets, too – even if you’re used to working really cleanly – are nothing but a nuisance!
If at all possible, I’d prefer the kitchen or, better still, the bathroom.
But everyone knows the problem with space! Here in Berlin, there’s a cheap option – FOTOIMPEX’s rental studio :D! But unfortunately, you don’t come across things like that very often!
Best regards
Mirko Hülich
dpc
Thanks for your thoughts! If anyone has any other points to add, please don’t hesitate to share them!
By the way: the fixer I find so awful is Kodak Max-Fix.
StefanHeymann
I develop my photos in my study, which works quite well. I try to work neatly and not spill anything. I rinse them in the bath; I use a fourth tray to carry them there.
Developer: Eukobrom
Stop bath: 2 tablespoons of citric acid powder from the chemist’s per litre of water (doesn’t smell as bad as vinegar)
Fixer: Superfix plus
I don’t find these chemicals smell particularly strong. But I’m sure everyone has their own individual preferences.
Oh yes, the room has carpeted floors.
Best regards, Stefan
vlinck
Hello,
I had my ‘bedroom debut’ yesterday, and it went pretty smoothly. That said, I do have the advantage of a large washbasin in the corner, into which the ‘trays’ drain. Contrary to what I expected, the air didn’t end up smelling bad at all. I used Tetenal Superfix, which is (almost) odourless.
The only time-consuming part is creating the darkroom.
Best regards
Volker
