Here are the essentials of any good basic darkroom. In setting up yours, you can choose from a wide variety of
equipment to suit your needs.
This is a recommend list of everything you need to start a darkroom. It is by no means everything available. There
is a wide array of papers, chemistry and equipment you can add to help you create unique images. For example,
toning is a great way to take darkroom printing to the next level.
Handcoloring and Lith Printing are more ways to add creative options to darkroom printing. Read more about them in
previous issues of Freestylin' Quarterly Newsletter
If you need to refresh your memory, here are the basic steps, of printing.
THE EQUIPMENTArista®
Throughout this guide we recommend Arista® brand equipment. The Arista® family of darkroom products, including Arista II® and Arista.EDU Ultra have been setting the standard for quality and value for over half a century and is widely seen as the industry's darkroom leader.
Enlarger
Depending on the enlarger you purchase, you may need to get a 35mm negative carrier and 50mm enlarging lens
(with a lens board and jam nut) separately. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to call
one of our friendly sales representatives for assistance.
Some enlargers can handle both 35mm and medium format negatives, although you will need a different negative
carrier and lens to accommodate this. There are also enlargers that can handle 4x5, medium format, and 35mm film.
If you plan to print with 4x5 negatives in the future, you should purchase an enlarger that can accommodate them.
Otherwise, a 35mm/medium format enlarger will suit your purposes just fine.
Enlarger Timer
In order to get prints which are correctly exposed, you need to control the amount of light that reaches your paper.
The timer, along with the aperture on your enlarger lens, controls the exposure so that your prints are neither too
light nor too dark. Timers can either be stand-alone, requiring you to turn off the enlarger manually, or they can
connect to the enlarger for automatic shut-off. We recommend a timer that automatically turns the enlarger on and off.
Easel
The easel is used to hold the photographic printing paper while you are exposing it. The paper holders on the easel
are used to correctly position the unexposed paper and hold it flat during the exposure. There are quick easels in a
singe set format like 8x10 or 5x7, and there are bladed easels that allow you to choose your own format.
You might also consider buying a contact printing frame, which has a Plexiglas top to hold your negatives flush on the
paper for contact printing.
Safelight
Safelight filters come in a few different varieties. The most commonly used are OC (amber) and Red (A1). Always check
the manufacturer's instruction sheet to determine the appropriate type of safelight for your particular paper.
Red (1A) safelight filters are typically used for orthochromatic materials like litho film, certain liquid emulsions
and some B&W photo papers. Never mix OC and red safelights in the darkroom -- even if a paper can be used with either
safelight, the combination will usually cause fogging.
The safelight should be positioned to provide the best illumination of the work area, but should be kept at least four
feet from the photographic paper. See our How Safe is Your Safelight? article for more tips on safelight set-up.
Printing Tongs
These are used for moving the photographic paper through the processing solutions. You should have a set of four: one for
developer, one for stop bath, one for fixer, and one for the final rinse. Label each one to avoid contaminating the chemicals.
Processing Trays
The trays hold the processing solutions. The first tray is for the developer, the second for the stop bath, the third
is for the fixer and the fourth is for the wash. Label the trays and always use the same tray for each solution. It
is a good idea to get trays at least one size larger than the paper you are using.
Thermometer
Use it to measure the temperature when mixing and using chemicals. Photographic thermometers are stainless steel or glass,
and will not be damaged by the photographic chemicals.
Graduates
These are used to mix and measure the processing solutions. It is best to have a variety of sizes with at least
one with markings at 1oz. or 10ml intervals. Some people have one graduate for each chemical type.
Bottles
These hold the mixed processing solutions. Bottles can be glass or plastic, and should be opaque brown or black.
Make sure the lids are airtight. Label the bottles and always use the same bottle for each solution.
Funnel
This is how you get solutions back into the bottles. Don't try it without one.
Print Squeegee
Remove excess water from your prints after they are washed so that they'll dry faster and more evenly.
That takes care of the equipment. All you need now are:
Processing Chemicals
The three basic chemicals are (1) Developer (2) Stop Bath and (3) Fixer. Mix these with the appropriate amount
of water and store them in your bottles.
Photographic Paper
Photographic paper is sensitive to light and should be handled only in a darkroom with the correct safelight. Black and white
paper is exposed under an enlarger and processed in chemicals to create a final image.
Still not sure what you need? At the end of this booklet we have a complete supply list for you that includes
all the paper, chemicals and accessories you need to get started.
Darkroom Supply List
Making prints in the darkroom is truly rewarding. Nothing, not even a "digital darkroom," comes close. The experience
is magical, and surprisingly easy. By following a few basic steps,
you and your students can soon be on your way to making custom prints.
Here is a recommended list of everything you need to start a darkroom. It is by no means everything available. There
is a wide array of papers, chemistry and equipment that will add to your darkroom experience and help you define
your own personal style. For example, toning is a great way to take darkroom printing to the next
level.
Handcoloring and Lith Printing are more ways to add creative options to darkroom printing. Read more about them
in previous issues of Freestylin' Quarterly Newsletter
Paper - Start with a glossy "RC" paper at first, but be sure to try other surfaces
like pearl/luster and semi-matte, too. Every brand has a variety of surfaces to choose
from.
