26
F
or many photographers
a darkroom is more than
just a space to process
and print film – it’s a
welcome sanctuary, a place where
failure and mistakes are hidden
from public view, the stress of
modern life can be forgotten for
a few hours, and modern-day
alchemy is commonplace. Private
darkrooms are rarely cavernous
spaces; more often than not they
are rooms ‘borrowed’ from the
rest of the family: bathrooms,
offices, garages, small outbuildings
etc. Some photographers like to
listen to music (often classical)
in their darkrooms, while others
prefer complete silence, and have
a strictly ‘no admittance’ policy.
Darkrooms are full of creative
spirit and calm industriousness.
To find out more, we asked four
photographers (and passionate
print makers) what makes their
darkrooms unique.A room of
one’s ow n
Darkrooms are small and intimate places
where creativity, quirks, and a love of DIY
often reign supreme. Four photographers,
and passionate printers, invite us into
their sacred spaces for a nose around
‘I HAVE a spare room in my house that I utilise as a
darkroom – it’s not huge, but it suits my needs. I have
a computer, printer, enlarger and paper storage on
one side and I use the other for tray processing prints.
The print and negative washing is taken care of in the
bathroom next door where I set up my archival washer
for each session. I have developed my own method for
printing negatives from digital files to produce large
contact sheets, and I’ve made a press for keeping prints
flat as they dry – you learn to be resourceful! When it
comes to dodging and burning I use anything close
to hand. Outside the darkroom I listen to all kinds of
music, but inside it’s classical only – it helps keep me
focused. As home darkrooms go mine, is laid out in a
traditional way (with a dry side and a wet side), but
I’ve personalised it by hanging a print of Joe Jackson’s
‘Look Sharp’ (by Brian Griffin) on the wall. I don’t mind
people joining me in the darkroom for short periods,
but if I’m working on a print I really want to get right I
prefer to be on my own. I work full time and I have two
small children, so my darkroom sessions are usually
between 9pm and 5am on a Friday or a Saturday night!’Matt Walkley
Right: Matt’s classic
prints are matched
with classical music
in the darkroom© MATT WALKLEY