HDB storeroom or "bomb shelter" as darkroom

[glchua]

I'm in the process of shifting to a new place and I have this "bomb shelter" available to set up my darkroom (printing BW, 8R and maybe 12R max). The space is enough for me and I don't need running water as I'll be washing prints outside. The problems that I can see are that there is only one port right at the top for ventillation and cooling the room to a comfortable temperature. I wonder if any one here could give me some advice.

Thanks in advance!

 

[waileong]

You'll get really hot in there.

 

[enivre]

well, people have done it in their toilets so I don't see why it's not possible. Will be tight, but not impossible. Just not sure if you can fit all the trays in there comfortably.

Since there's ventilation it's not TOO bad already, if the room directly outside the shelter is air-conditioned you can try turning on the aircondition there so that the shelter will be slightly cooler. ;p

 

[leekch]

Just wanted to add in;
1. if no fresh air go into the room, no air will go out of the room. Thus you will most likely need 2 air vents

2. chemical smell that flows out of the bomb shelter room will flood your living room, unless you can direct that smell out of the window

You might want to re-consider.

Regards.

 

[waileong]

Nothing is impossible. But comfortable is a separate matter. I can spend 8 hours at a stretch in my darkroom. How long will he spend there before he gets uncomfortable.

Trays are not a problem, you actually can get by with the one-tray method if you know how.

well, people have done it in their toilets so I don't see why it's not possible. Will be tight, but not impossible. Just not sure if you can fit all the trays in there comfortably.

Since there's ventilation it's not TOO bad already, if the room directly outside the shelter is air-conditioned you can try turning on the aircondition there so that the shelter will be slightly cooler. ;p

 

[catchlights]

the smallest darkroom can work comfortably is 5'x7', one side is dry a area with 5' long table, another side is wet area 5' long sink, center is a 2' by 5' area for you to move around, this is not a make shift darkroom.

FYI, HDB bomb shelter has two vents, it's not light proof and will not let air flow in and out without any ventilation fan, unless you want to invest on a air con in the bomb shelter, or else you need to get two ventilation fan with "light tight louver".

 

[waileong]

These recommendations may apply to you, but do note that it's not a must to have a sink in the darkroom (I don't have one), and certainly no need for a 5 foot one (although it would be nice). In fact, if I want to have a sink, I'd go for 10 foot so I can put at least 6 trays for my 11x14's.

If you're short of space, you can use a processing tank, or the one-tray method.

There's also no need to have a 5' table, as long as it can hold your stably will do, a 3 ft table more than enough. Some people even bolt their enlarger to the wall so they do without a table, they can get by with a round stool to put the easel on.

The airvents and the doors are the major problems-- light leaks! If you seal them, you'll suffocate unless you install aircon. I don't know if anyone sells those darkroom ventilation fans in Singapore, but installation will be quite expensive as it involves hacking the wall-- not sure if HDB will allow that for the bomb shelter.

the smallest darkroom can work comfortably is 5'x7', one side is dry a area with 5' long table, another side is wet area 5' long sink, center is a 2' by 5' area for you to move around, this is not a make shift darkroom.

FYI, HDB bomb shelter has two vents, it's not light proof and will not let air flow in and out without any ventilation fan, unless you want to invest on a air con in the bomb shelter, or else you need to get two ventilation fan with "light tight louver".

 

[catchlights]

there won't be any light leak problem on the bomb shelter door, (the door is so thick and have a rubber gasket), and have two vents available, at one side of the vent fix a ventilation fans which can find easily at Kelantan Lane, another side fix a "light tight louver" which can buy from delta. this only need some simple DIY work, don't need to hack the wall, btw, the wall is about 1 foot thick.

 

[waileong]

Delta what?

 

[catchlights]

delta1

an america brand of darkroom and photography products.

another company call Doran enterprises inc, have some cool darkroom stuffs too.

 

[moon]

The most important thing is an Air-Con. Else you can't even stay inside for more than 30 minutes.

 

[waileong]

Then it's probably not available here... Singapore shops were never big on darkroom stuff commonly found in US, like sinks, paper safes and revolving doors.

delta1

an america brand of darkroom and photography products.

another company call Doran enterprises inc, have some cool darkroom stuffs too.

 

[enivre]

I think you can forget about buying sinks/revolving doors/light proof air vents etc from the stores in singapore.

Your best bet is to DIY something simple.

 

[glchua]

Thanks for this discussion so far. I can make available the other air vents to have a two port ventilation system. But the ports are quite close together and would not allow a complete circulation. Preventing light leak is not a big problem even with ventilation available. To me, the smell is okay, it is only acetic acid and the vapours are not that toxic. Stand alone air cooling unit is what I thought might be feasible to cool the room air.

My initial plan is similar to catchlight but not to install louvers. Just a tube attached to the venting ports to block the direct path of light and yet maintaining the air flow. KDK do sell some exhaust fans for home use that need minimum installation work.

Just like what waileong said, my target is to be able to work comfortably for at least 5-8 hours. I do some darkroom printing work at SAFRA and I find that it is the minimum time to get something I like out. SAFRA darkroom, although comfortable and well equipped, do not allow me to use it for extended time and in the evenings.

 

[pai]

SAFRA darkroom, although comfortable and well equipped, do not allow me to use it for extended time and in the evenings.

actually you can use it at night on weekdays except friday. now they're having classes on wed and thurs, so i'm not sure about that. but mon and tues should be no problem. why not drop andy an email to check?

 

[greg]

you need among other essentials..

- ventilation
- air con

enjoy, not slog.

 

[Andy Tay]

SAFRA darkroom, although comfortable and well equipped, do not allow me to use it for extended time and in the evenings.

Hmm, SAFRA's darkroom opening hrs are:

Mon - Fri
9.30am - 12.30pm
2.30pm - 5.30pm
6.30pm - 9.30pm (not available for Fri)

Sat
1pm - 5pm

Thats the official timing. The breaks in between are for the staff (me:sweat to have my lunch, dinner. But I don't normally chase members off for the dinner slot. (5.30pm - 6.30pm) I'll just grab a quick bite and let members cont. I've also stayed beyond 10pm when members are still printing.

 

[glchua]

Thanks Andy. Previously I was told there were no evening slots and Saturday mornings only. Recent change?

With these hours, I may not need to set up my own darkroom.

 

[ratboy]

if i was in your situation : )

1 ) get ( buy or DIY ) print dev drums.
2 ) light proof bomb shelter
3 ) focus/compose the print with door open
4 ) close door so room is now light proof
5 ) check focus and composition etc
6 ) do exposure, and load paper into drum
7 ) process the paper in kitchen or anywhere convenient.

something like tat ....

 

[Andy Tay]

Thanks Andy. Previously I was told there were no evening slots and Saturday mornings only. Recent change?

With these hours, I may not need to set up my own darkroom.

All along there have been evening slots, perhaps the guy who told you was mistaken. Currently on Thurs nites, the darkroom is not available thou. We're having a Monochrome course. Class size is quite big, 12 pax (we have 15 enlargers). So might be a bit cramp for members if they come.

As for the Sat morning, I believe that was the timing when SAFRA Photographic Club was still located in SAFRA Bukit Merah. The staff were still working 5.5 days week back then. Thus the morning session. Now it's 1pm-5pm for Sat.