14 0f 31

Just prior to closing down my last darkroom I had friend/photographer Bojan Furst come by and take a few photos of the action of the darkroom. These photos will find their way to my site where I will use them to reinforce the fact that I use film and I do everything by hand.

It was a great darkroom and was big enough for my computer and office as well although that didn't make it's way into these photos. No computers needed in a darkroom. :) I used this for a little more than a year. I knew I'd be moving on so I didn't fill the walls with test prints like I have done in other darkrooms. It seems plain to me. I'll settle in better in the next one.

My new darkroom is almost ready. Possibly by Monday evening which is the most exciting thing in the world. I have a great craving for the solitude.

Thanks Bojan for these photos!!

8 of 31 - A Post a Day in May

Today is Paula's birthday. Who is Paula? She was my bff back in the day and also the subject of this: the oldest darkroom made print that I have in my possession. Printed in the school darkroom where I first fell in love with the smell of fixer. I can't tell you where the other prints from that era might be - maybe Paula has them? We were 15 years old when this was made. She was a firecracker and was duct taped to the wall for reasons long forgotten.

Happy Birthday Paula!

Rice is Nice!

This post is a public thanks to Terry Rice ( www.terryrice.com ). He had some darkroom gear that was of no use to him and he asked me if I wanted it. I said yes, figuring that even if it was junk I might get a few bits and bobs of useful darkroom trinkets out of  it.

Well I picked it up yesterday and it is definately not junk!! 2- 4x5 enlargers, 2 Jobo processors with enough tanks and reels to get me through 2020, lightbox, film dryer etc etc. Score! This is a text book definition of *one man's junk is another (wo)mans treasure.* As a digital guy this darkroom gear was just taking up space for Terry. As a film gal this is useful equipment that will be used on a very regular basis. I've actually already used the lightbox to help go through this mornings negatives.I am thrilled.

So if you need a photographer and you don't like me (sob!) or you are getting married etc . . . call Terry!

Thank you Terry. If I ever have any old computer gear I don't need you will be my first call!!

Fun with safe lights

There is a lot of standing around and doing nothing in the darkroom. One minute for this tray, two minutes for that tray. The forced nothingness is my favorite part of the darkroom.

Often I use those spare minutes to write important stuff. Stuff like to-do lists, budgets, meal planning, journaling etc.Sometimes I read tech sheets or photography books or look up stories and rhymes for my other job. Yes I do that under red light, it's fine as long as I don't use a red or orange pen. ;)

Today I did a full day in the dark and during the stand around parts I did nothing important at all. I played with my music, I played with my kids camera. I danced. I sang. It was very stressful.

It energized me. I need to play with photography more. A lot more. I do love it. Even the mistakes. Especially the mistakes.