Black & White Darkroom

With 30 enlarging stations in a 1700 sqft space, the Harvey Milk Photo Center operates one of the largest operational public black and white photo darkrooms in the United States.

As a member or day pass user, you have access to use this group space alongside other users. Our enlargers can enlarge negatives from 35mm up to 8×10, and you may print up to 16×20. Developing chemicals are mixed by staff and are accessible to all members in a communal sink

Features:

• 30 enlarging stations, with different types of enlargers, including: LPL/Saunders 4500II and C6600, Besler 23C and 67SC, and Omega Type D and Pro-Lab 4×5
• Staff and volunteers wash and dry prints for members. Members are almost certain to get their prints dried and ready to take home by the end of the day, if not sooner.
• Dedicated dryers for both Fiber and RC prints. Air drying is also available as an option for more sensitive papers.
• Communal developing chemistry is provided, mixed by staff every day. Developer is Ilford Multigrade Developer, Kodak Indicator Stop Bath and Ilford Rapid Fixer. Fiber prints are put into Heico PermaWash before being washed and dried by staff.
• A tall 8×10 negative enlarger is accessible upon request.

Please note:

• The darkroom can only be used once you have taken our orientation and become a member or purchase a day pass.
• This is strictly a black and white photo darkroom, no color processes are allowed.
• Enlarger stations are first come, first serve. You cannot reserve an enlarger ahead of time, and you must be physically present in the Photo Center to reserve a station.
• As the darkroom is a shared space that has light sensitive materials in it, you are not allowed to use any devices that cast anything other than red or amber light. This includes phones, smart watches, and flashlights. Every station has a safelight that can be switched on or off, and we provide red light flashlights at the front desk if needed.
• Fiber and RC prints have different cut off times and must be completed (fully developed and in water holding bath) by times listed above.

Darkroom Rules:

• No outside devices that cast light other than red or amber light. No exceptions are made for cell phones, even if the screen is red or dim.
• Please walk, never run.
• Please do not wash and dry your own prints, let the staff and volunteers handle this. This is to ensure you have more printing time and less water is used.
• Use your ears. If you want to listen to music while in the darkroom, please use headphones on a low volume or have one ear open.
• Wet areas stays wet, dry areas stays dry. Please keep all trays and wet papers away from the enlarging stations.
• Be mindful of the chemistry tongs. All tongs must stay with their respective chemistry tray. If a tong is mixed up, please let staff know.