How to Build a Darkroom
Having an area in your home where you can develop film is convenient and cost effective. You can easily build a darkroom by finding a small space in your home that is relatively unused. You will be able to develop your own high quality photos any time you like.
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Things You'll Need
- White paint
- Black gardening plastic
- Weather stripping
- Caulk
- Shelves
- Pegboard
Instructions
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Choose a small room already available in your home to build a darkroom. It will need running water, so choosing a room with this source is most cost effective to avoid paying a plumber to run water lines to your darkroom. A small bathroom or a garden shed with a sink can be ideal.
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2
Paint the walls white when you build a dark room. White reflects light from the safe light without damaging your developing photos.
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3
Block out the entry of any light into your darkroom since it can damage developing photos. Visit your local home and garden store and ask for heavy, black gardening plastic. You may need two or three layers to completely block out the light from windows and doors.
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4
Test the room for areas that may leak light into your darkroom. Do this while the sun is up during the day. Close the door to your darkroom and sit for about five minutes in the dark. There should be no signs of light. Hold a pencil in front of you as you move toward any signs of light. Mark the area with the pencil so you can take measures to block that light from the area later.
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5
Use weather stripping around doors to block light that leaks in through cracks when you build the darkroom. Use caulk to close up leaking light around walls and light fixtures.
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6
Check to make sure you have enough counter space to set up your supplies and a tub.
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7
Install a few shelves and a pegboard to hold various darkroom supplies.
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