ARCANE DARKROOM

I recently became the steward of my mentor’s darkroom. Sylvie Borel taught photography for 30 years and when she retired I took over her space across the hall from my studio in Bethnal Green. I’ve since turned her darkroom into a dual darkroom/photobook making space, and because I don’t have the time to use it weekly, have decided to open it to other artists, and hopefully, create a community of like-minded photographers sharing experiences, ideas and techniques.

The 25-square-meter darkroom is equipped for black and white processing and printing from 35 mm to 8 x 10. The space is ideal for a practitioner with some experience who wants to work in peace and quiet by themselves for a minimum of three days up to a month at a time. The space is also available to book for a workshop (2-day minimum) of up to eight people. In the future, I may be open to ongoing monthly memberships if we work in a complementary way, so if you have any interest in any of the above, please get in touch and I will arrange for you to see the space. If you’re a darkroom photographer, but haven’t printed for some time, Sylvie is available for refresher lessons and inductions.

You will have access to:

• DeVere 5108

• DeVere 203

• processing trays up to 20 x 24 inches

• Ilford processing chemicals

• paper drying machine up to 20 x 24 inches

• inner dark room for film processing and storage

• boards for coating papers with photographic emulsions

• 1x2 meter light box

• 2x4 meter magnetic sequencing wall

• A3 nipping press

• 2 x 60 cm softboxes

• pillar drill

• A0 guillotine