Darkroom Update 3

The enlarger is now aligned! Took some three hours, three wood screws, two pieces of moleskin and a laser tool. The next step will be to select a few negatives with which to work. First of all the selected negatives will be scanned. The scanned images will be adjusted using computer programs and then printed. These digital prints will be compared with silver prints produced in the darkroom. This will be a check on both analog and digital photography. Off to the negative files while the scanner warms up. Check back to see what happens next. (click on image to enlarge)

Darkroom Update 2

Lower photograph gives an overall view of the "dry corner" of the darkroom. Two tables and a set of shelves make up the base of the corner. On top -from right to left-paper cutter, enlarger, enlarger head control unit, printing timer, static brush, two paper safes - 8x10 and 11x14 - ending with shelves holding misc. items. On the left side the shelves holding more misc.items including chemicals and empty bottles. Upper image shows in some detail the enlarger, control for the enlarger head, printing timer, static brush and paper safes. Once again - after 10 years of storage - everything works. Only one small problem - the enlarger needs to be aligned. Not surprising in that it was broken down, packed in separate boxes and now has been reassembled. Check back in a few days for the next update. (click on images to enlarge)

Darkroom update 1

Two weeks and two projects finished. First, a sink has been installed and plumbing is completed. On the right is a print washer-for the final wash, next over is a first print washer-sitting on top of the edge of the sink. There is a water temperature is control -on the wall centered above the sink. On the left side -small black rectangle- is a print time and temperature control unit. Storage is on the shelves below the sink.
Secondly, after some ten days-the room can now be made light proof. This required that the entire basement be made light proof. Not an easy task but now done. The timers, print washers, temperature control unit,trays, and other miscellaneous equipment-while not in use for some ten years-all work with no problems. The wet side of the darkroom is now complete. The next bit of work will be getting the dry side setup and working. Check back for an update. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Rock Solid

Richmond storefront church offering comida gratis hoy (free meal today) at 4:30 pm. (click on image to enlarge)
This will be the last post for at least two weeks. I am going to spend the time setting up an analog photographic darkroom. For the last ten years all photography has been digital-cameras, computers, scanners and ink jet printers. I have not worked in a wet darkroom for some ten years. The time will be spent unpacking the equipment, setting up the room and recalling/relearning my darkroom skills. Almost all the chemicals and photographic paper that I previously used are not manufactured today. This will be an adventure - almost as if I were starting over -with an unknown end. Check back to learn how it turned out.