Darkrooms in NYC (as in those used for photography)

Wednesday, May 9, 2007 10:59 AM

Well I've always taken photog classes just to use the darkroom for my b&w printing. In the end, I always thought the cost of the class overall more than paid for the amount of time I'd get to print.

And I was right....

For the first time, I paid to use a lab by the hour. I had to finish a project to hand in. The technicians tried to "shove" me in a situation where I'd have to expose print in one room and then take exposed paper into another room to develop it....After I told them that I made a reservation, and that there new offer didn't sound so convenient to me, they "miraculously" got the girl who was in my reserved room out...no hassle/ no fuss on her part...I'm guessin she was a friend...

Once past that minor snaffoo, all went pretty easy...except for when the developer went exhausted and there was no employee around to make up a new batch...oh btw did I fail to mention that the only employee working the late shift (5-10 pm) had to leave, asked me to pay before it was over, and said it was ok to just leave things as they were and exit building on my own....very strange...

Anyways, there was a nice older man in the darkroom next to mine. He was no longer printing, had the door open and was reading a paper in the dark... [ok part of me was thinking what the hell am i doing in a place where strangers are left alone in mostly deserted floor with no security]...but I took a chance and he ended up helping me...he no longer needed his developer and kindly brought that tray into my darkroom....


What have I learned from this encounter...

1)always ask for new developer before starting my time in darkroom

2)always let someone know where I'm going in case some (potential) psycho in the next darkroom might hurt me [nope, didn't tell a soul where I was going]

3)go to a place that has staff there to assist...till they close.

....

So as I left white street and headed towards Canal st to catch the R train to head to Queens, I thought for $75 I could be a bit more aggressive in my needs next time.

Thanks for reading my rant.So hasn't put me off photography. But the costs of film and printing, as well as time necessary to print, are really making my lust for a Nikon D200 grow stronger everyday.

Santa if you're listening that would be a great gift. If you're feeling a budgetary pain, the D80 is not bad.

Signing off...the way over the top and highly caffeinated photographer waves goodbye

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