My cheap and simple Darkroom - A beginners story

[@xsbmrnr]

Refreshing to see a regular bloke without pretensions putting it out there. That takes some courage. On ya mate.

[@espenbjrkvold5119]

A darkroom doesn’t have to be very complicated and fancy. I have built mine inside a growth-tent and use very DIY equipment. Still I get good results. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@AI-Hallucination]

😂 class double use

[@Raumweiter]

yo, i´m doing exactly the same. Mine is 1x1 meter in size. Any tips in general and especially for the trays? I made several prints and i definetely need to refine it.

[@billymoretti8437]

Thanks for doing this... I am a rank beginner and you've given me the courage to pursue setting up my own simple darkroom and giving it a go! Billy

[@atllanta]

such a helpful video!!

[@bigsistahtips]

Thank you for this! It’s exactly what I was looking for!

[@sentergus]

This is wonderful thank you. So cool to watch you get some of your first images on print. I think this has inspired me to make a little darkroom of my own

[@FinnishSuperSomebody]

Awesome! I think I really need to learn this step as well myself, it was inspiring to see that this whole process can be made on so small space. Many setups I see takes huge amount of space, but cool to see that you can actually do it on a desk space!

[@fcallophoto]

It's amazing what you've accomplished here! I really like your mini setup.

[@astore3757]

I like your darkroom and the small format. Smaller it is more comfortable. Great!

[@neilpiper9889]

Paterson grain focuser. A Diss man here. I used an old caravan as a darkroom outside my house back in the 1960s. I used 2 Yashica Mat Tlrs and Zenith Praktica and Pentax cameras. Tri x was the film of the day and Kodak Bromesko paper. I earned my living as a Wedding and press phototography working for the Eastern Daily Press, South Norfolk News and the Diss Express. What enlarger lens are you using. I am 75 now and still have a windowless bathroom darkroom now. I use an old Gnome Alpha Rangefinder condenser enlarger with 50mm and 100mm Schneider Componon S enlarger lenses which are very sharp.

[@rbfigueira]

I love the minimalistic setup.... for me will be perfect. Can you write here or put on the description video the links for all the stuff? Many thanks

[@f1remandg]

I’m sure you’ve come a long way since this, but I have to say I am impressed, it was obvious that you where also nervous so I’d give yourself a Pat on the back even now!

[@visual-independence]

Good video. Happy to see people are getting back to real printing.

[@fliphydroxy3730]

haven't done this since college, miss this so much. its so fun, and gave me some clarity when shopping for an enlarger. the ones we used must of been at least a few thousand. thank you for making this!

[@shelleytasker]

I dont have a timer and wanted to see how it was done with out !! Thanks for this helpful video :)

[@adventureStaley]

Awesome. I want to do this

[@MilosBencic]

Very nice result

[@jbaxter007]

Ahh yes , I watched this about 3 -4 years ago when i had just set up my darkroom, it`s interesting because i`m all about saving money at the moment after having spent a bomb on different size paper and trays over the last few years. Have just ordered 3 x 7 x 5 trays and a box of multi grade 7 x 5 paper. Sometimes the minimalist approach is always best.

[@kobewang9382]

Very helpful and thank you so much

[@railroadcam]

Great video...thank you!! Can I ask you where you got your safe light? It's great!

[@trin9264]

I would have definitely dodged some of those darker parts of the picture. I want to make my own dark room too...how fun!!!

[@yasha8951]

That a little cute enlarger

[@ob894]

nice video man, great to see your setup. Are you up for sharing some details and links to your equipment?

[@peteb5461]

Great video, which englarger do you use on this?

[@clicking098]

Great video! Just wondering if ventilation is an issue at all in your room? I’ve got a small room without a fan or window. So just curious if you’ve set that up.

[@nathan_woodgate]

I never found any issues with ventilation, the chemicals were never strong enough to cause any problem

[@hakimbrahimi1015]

What is your safelight ?? It looks so bright

[@walkingaroundthemidlands7190]

Thank you for this video. I to am just getting into darkroom printing. I have a small enlarger and this video has shown me I can achieve great results with it. Iv yet to print anything but after watching your video I will start. Once again thank you 😊

[@nathan_woodgate]

Mats Life in photography and videos enjoy it’s great fun! Take a look at “shoot film like a boss” channel for some great tips 👌🏼

[@walkingaroundthemidlands7190]

Nathan Woodgate hi yes I’m subscribed to him but it all seams to advanced to me lol. Thanks for the reply 👍🏻

[@dingo3718]

Where did you purchase the chemical's, and are they cheap,, and very impressive for your first time , I'm thinking of starting my own dark room just getting more info on the equipment needed and cost ect,

[@yasha8951]

Nice print, thanks for the video , I’m setting up a small darkroom too, it’s amazing, it wouldn’t much sense to shot B&W film and then end up in Lightroom :)

[@wolfloversummer5463]

Thank you for sharing your darkroom set up with us. I'm thinking about turning my laundry room into a darkroom and you've given me inspiration what's 40 pounds in dollar's?

[@nathan_woodgate]

$52

[@GONZOFAM7]

Very nice. Thanks

[@ballkeeper6662]

kool video,where did you buy from

[@shoddyshawty1033]

Great video, just subscribed

[@nathan_woodgate]

Awesome, thank you!

[@lancestan3398]

Cool!

[@mimidp2649]

Hi, thank you so much for this video. I've always wanted to make my own dark room at home (ever since doing ALevel photography which I loved). Just wondered how you got your enlarger, trays and safe light so cheap? Was it eBay or elsewhere? Thank you!

[@nathan_woodgate]

You just need to keep an eye out on local classifieds/eBay for the bargains. The trays I used were just kitchen trays purchased off Amazon👌🏼

[@cloro-8243]

NIce! But you have water in your Room? Because i have this problem; i have just a bathroom, and i cant use for my darkroom.

[@nathan_woodgate]

Cloro - no I don’t have water. I mix everything up in the kitchen and then move into my study. In the final stage I walk the print into my kitchen to rinse.

[@Dangoldmedia]

Thank you for sharing.

[@cjk1943]

i teach b&w at a summer camp to the campers which they love seeing the photo come out

[@hh-woodcraft7238]

Can this kit still be found? With an emphasis on the Enlarger ? THANKS :)

[@z87499]

I know this is an older video but what enlarger did you use?

[@akershaw21]

What do you do with the chemicals when done?

[@buchsg]

First time I saw someone printing while sitting on a chair 😅

[@monkeysausage2404]

What enlarger is that, I'm looking for something like that, small and compact.

[@nathan_woodgate]

Hi, I have sold it now but I believe it was a Durst J35

[@randallstewart175]

Used enlargers are not the total buyer's market they used to be: "Free to take away." This is a Durst sold unit. Durst was one of the most respected enlarger makers for many years, because their units are well designed and solidly built. This unit, A J35, is a little plastic bit of junk Durst sold briefly to "starters" to capitalize on their reputation. If you are buying an enlarger, and you want a Durst, look at an M601. If in the US look at an Omega B22 or Beseler 23C. These are all very commonly available and parts and accessories are still available. The 23C is still made, but it's priced over $1k new. All of these enlargers will serve your needs for 35mm or medium format up to 6x6cm. Some versions of the B22 are quite compact; M601 is average; and 23C is probably larger than you want.

[@andersonsanchez1282]

Hi do you develop in there, the "safe light" will maintain negatives while loading to reels?

[@nathan_woodgate]

No as the red light will effect most black and white films, I use a dark bag and patterson tank

[@serge933]

This is very interesting to see! I thought it would have been a lot harder to get it setup at home. I've used a professional room back in school. How do you manage the chemistry and keeping it fresh? Do you use chemicals for a few runs and thats it or are you able to save them for use at a later time, say in a week or 2?

[@glennpritchard9465]

can you link the equipment you purchased?

[@edwinolivera8482]

what is that projector!

[@wufei5202]

What series is your enlarger?

[@wolfloversummer5463]

Thank you!

[@bellavardarkumar5818]

Great video. With camera did you used for recording ? Thanks

[@nathan_woodgate]

Sony A73

[@maudefalardeau8586]

Hi that's the name of the huge thing than you use first ? Can I buy everything on amazone ?

[@nathan_woodgate]

That’s an enlarger, best to buy used, new ones on Amazon cost a bomb

[@macbook-mn7nl]

I was wondering where you got your photo enlarger? I can't seem to find any ones working properly for under 150.00

[@michaelscott3000]

I also discovered Shot like a boss recently and really fancy giving this ago. Do you have any links to where you bought the compact enlarger

[@nathan_woodgate]

Unfortunately not, I managed to pick this one up on Gumtree. I’ve actually changed it now for a larger model 👌🏼

[@michaelscott3000]

Nathan Woodgate plenty on eBay. But priced higher and taking a risk.

[@nathan_woodgate]

People couldn’t give these away a few years ago but they are now making good money

[@randallstewart175]

@@nathan_woodgate Too true. So many excellent enlargers went to the dump because everyone was "going digital" and no one wanted them. I went to a swap meet in the 1990s where a seller had a "like new" 4x5 inch Durst with colorhead, all of the many accessories plus color analyzer, timer. etc. I almost bought it myself just to get a :deal:, but I really had no use for it. Someone finally bought the whole kit for $500, including more than $100 worth of color printing paper, new in the box. The seller was glad to get it.

[@Lana-gz2wn]

Can you write everything used, or provide links to buy them?

[@idkthatsaname]

don't worry, sometimes even a small blurry detail can be a wonderful mistake that can add more words to a photo

[@mitchreyes6408]

Hi Nathan, what safe light are you using?

[@nathan_woodgate]

Mitch Reyes it’s a very old one from Paterson I believe, nothing fancy

[@randallstewart175]

It's a Paterson light, basically cheap crap like most Paterson stuff. Here, it's way too light, so he may have put a larger watt bulb in it to illuminate his video. If you are shopping, you want a light which uses a real filter so the light is "safe" and is directional on the developing tray, not have it shinning all over the darkroom. Freestyle sells this junk for $45; they sell a decent Premier unit for $46. They also sell a filter coated light bulb which works as well as the Paterson or better for less than $5.

[@pollux4447]

Or just use ledstrips

[@karliblackwell7043]

Good place for vampires to

[@blakeandrew2158]

Please blank out “hey Siri” thank you!

[@nathan_woodgate]

Sorry.....

[@randallstewart175]

Not at all clear why he is using Ilford film developer to develop his paper prints. Not a good example to set for learning beginners.

[@nathan_woodgate]

Happy with Ilford thank you, maybe you could explain more in your own video?

[@briandigiorgio5715]

Well, I didn’t know that one could USE film developer to develop prints...so I learned something. And the print turned out nicely, so the lesson may be that in photography there’s more leeway to experiment with chemistry than we expect.