Author Topic: I am a lucky girl... (Read 11523 times)

Britt Aximon · « **on:** August 24, 2011, 08:15:56 PM »

... to have a hubby sharing the same maniac hobby for analouge photography as me.

We have during the last year talked about were in the house to start a proper darkroom, not only for developing film, but also to be able to develop on paper. The most reasonable idea is to wait for the lovely son to move. But he is 18, and that could live at home for a lot of years yet.

Yesterday we bought the equipment, and today we started transfering the bathroom to a combined bathroom and darkroom. Gosh, I love this life!

And I don't know if this really shoud be posted here at all, but I am so excited! Sorry if it is to simple, but I had to tell somebody.

Nigel · « **Reply #1 on:** August 24, 2011, 08:27:19 PM »

That is very nice and one very large bathroom. Move that enlarger into my bathroom and I'd have to move the toilet out!

Karl · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2011, 08:32:44 PM »

You most definitely are! That looks great. Read my new post about my tales of community darkroom woe. What makes it harder is that I've got superb enlarger with an Ilford Multigrade head sitting in the garage. And a Meopta 6.

My children are 9 and 7 so not a hope of a darkroom for years. Every time I suggest a potential space it suddenly fills up with furniture, toys and unforeseen uses.

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2011, 08:37:15 PM »

Dearest Britt..that bathroom is to die for..my darkroom/exra bathroom is not nearly so luxurious..but then I live in a forest cabin which isn't so bad

I truly need an enlarger..I am inspired!!

sapata · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2011, 08:40:06 PM »

Yes you are!

God... you bathroom is larger than my kitchen...

Thom Stone · « **Reply #5 on:** August 24, 2011, 08:42:25 PM »

Great stuff. Really nice sized room, I'm sure you will get loads of use out of it. I'm like nigel, my bathroom is tiny but I just about manage with a sheet of mdf on the bath for the enlarger and trays, tiny sink to wash the prints in. I can only dream of a space like that, very much looking forward to see some results!

Britt Aximon · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2011, 08:51:19 PM »

Yes, that bathroom is wonderful! And, the only place in our house with space for an enlarger

I am lucky, I really am!

Francois · « **Reply #7 on:** August 24, 2011, 09:04:47 PM »

Very nice...

astrobeck · « **Reply #8 on:** August 24, 2011, 09:19:58 PM »

Excellently lovely!
Is this in a basement by chance, just wondering.
And I love that you showed us through a peep hole! I feel like I'm spying on your secret darkroom hide-away!

Now show us some prints!
:-)

Britt Aximon · « **Reply #9 on:** August 24, 2011, 09:26:21 PM »

Becky, it is not in the basement I'm afraid, so next step is to get the windows and the door lightsafe. And I'm afraid I have to learn HOW to make prints before I show any results

But, give me some weeks and I will show it

Miles · « **Reply #10 on:** August 24, 2011, 09:28:58 PM »

Middle boy now has a place at Keele, the loft will be mine after October

calbisu · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2011, 02:50:42 AM »

That's a nice looking place! I have never developed on paper. When I will be back home in Spain I am planning to erase the guests bathroom and make a darkroom

We also have a garden, so there is no need for a second bathroom

jojonas~ · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2011, 02:10:38 PM »

axia (and miles!): congrats! you're entering a wonderfull world~

Mojave · « **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2011, 04:42:57 PM »

This is great!!! Im sure you'll have no trouble blacking out the windows and doors. I started a bathroom darkroom group on flickr but havent done anything with it yet. This would fit right in though.

Have fun!

Thom Stone · « **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2011, 10:46:45 PM »

that is the one bonus of my tiny little bathroom. has no windows. aslong as the lights are out in the hall then no light tighting required. would still be awesome to have a permenant set up :-(

astrobeck · « **Reply #15 on:** August 25, 2011, 11:05:51 PM »

Britt, the blacking out can be made easy with some velcro and black light proof fabric on frames.
My bathroom/darkroom has a skylight in it, which is very nice, except for when I want to develop film.

My husband made a wooden frame with some light proof black fabric stretched over it. It has the loopy velcro stapled around the edges. The recessed rim around the skylight in the ceiling has the hook side of the velcro on it. So whenever I need it dark, I just stick the frame over the skylight.

I know others use black plastic sheeting, but that stuff just creeps me out, so I opted for the black fabric.

Anxious to see what you come up with!

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #16 on:** August 27, 2011, 06:26:57 PM »

another idea is to use foam core board..light weight and cut to size it will fit right into the frame of the window..I also use velcro to keep it in place...

Britt Aximon · « **Reply #17 on:** August 27, 2011, 09:33:30 PM »

Thank you all for your support. The velcro is already in the plan, but the lightproof fabric didn't live up to it's namn. Still a bit of light through it. Next step is to mount black plastic from garbagebags on the back, or to use Forex or likewise light plastic foam to block light out. Not there yet, but working on it

Francois · « **Reply #18 on:** August 27, 2011, 10:13:49 PM »

Corrugated cardboard is surprisingly light tight... and costs nothing.
If a tiny amount of light still gets through, a good coat of craft quality black acrylic paint will do the trick

(you're lucky I removed a lot of gubelly-goop from this text... has anyone ever tried to squish an ant that is walking on their keyboard while typing?)

Britt Aximon · « **Reply #19 on:** August 27, 2011, 10:53:30 PM »

Francois, you are sooooo funny

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #20 on:** August 27, 2011, 10:59:03 PM »

Britt..I so agree..With Francois's wit he should be entertaining on the late show..oh..I guess you don't have that in Sweden but maybe he could find a home on the internet for his humor...we should spread him around!

Britt Aximon · « **Reply #21 on:** August 27, 2011, 11:18:54 PM »

Dont know if we have it on telly here in Sweden, but Francois makes me laught a lot at this forum. More Francois to the people of the world!!!

Britt Aximon · « **Reply #22 on:** August 28, 2011, 08:09:40 PM »

My first copies made, and it all works well. This is so great and so much fun.

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #23 on:** August 28, 2011, 08:13:16 PM »

show us!!

Britt Aximon · « **Reply #24 on:** August 28, 2011, 09:07:36 PM »

I will, Diane, but they are still drying

Britt Aximon · « **Reply #25 on:** August 28, 2011, 09:17:47 PM »

First pics drying in the shower. Well guarded by the octopus Artur

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #26 on:** August 28, 2011, 09:20:31 PM »

so Britt..what did you shoot these with? they look quite lovely!! and is this paper negatives or....

contact print..dying to know all about it!

Britt Aximon · « **Reply #27 on:** August 28, 2011, 09:30:24 PM »

The photos are by Rolleiflex and Holga, both mine and the lovely hubbys. The paper is: Kentmere VC Select Fine Lustre. Eeee is that an answer to your question?

We bought the cheapest in the store just to practice with.

Andrea. · « **Reply #28 on:** August 28, 2011, 09:32:41 PM »

Maybe cheapest paper but nice stuff all the same. They look lovely images.

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #29 on:** August 28, 2011, 09:35:14 PM »

ok..they are wonderful..since I don't have an enlarger yet I am always so eager to know all the details..did you put them on the paper and then develope the paper..?? I will have so many questions when we meet in Paris!! Must get an enlarger...

Britt Aximon · « **Reply #30 on:** August 28, 2011, 09:46:11 PM »

Yes Diane, we bought an enlarger this week, it's the one in the first pic in the tread. We developed the paper in some magical liquid, and suddenly there were photos. So glad you think they look nice, thanks Diane and Andrea.

Diane, Paris will be so wonderful, phototalk endless hours.

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #31 on:** August 28, 2011, 09:52:17 PM »

I hope the enlarger is easy to learn to use..a bit intimidating looking!!

Britt Aximon · « **Reply #32 on:** August 28, 2011, 09:57:08 PM »

Well... I am lucky to have this engineering husband. He do all the reading in manuales, and I do the testing. So.... no, it was not difficult

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #33 on:** August 28, 2011, 10:05:15 PM »

What size paper were those images printed on?

Britt Aximon · « **Reply #34 on:** August 28, 2011, 10:07:13 PM »

(Reading on the box again...) 5" x 7"
and that is 12,7 x 17,8 cm *LOL*

Francois · « **Reply #35 on:** August 28, 2011, 10:20:49 PM »

Diane, don't worry about the enlarger. It's just a camera in reverse. The lightbulb is your shutter.

BTW Britt... really nice pictures (and I really love the octopus... IKEA?)

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #36 on:** August 28, 2011, 11:56:57 PM »

Francois..always so reassuring..I know who to call on for help when I get mine!!

Francois · « **Reply #37 on:** August 29, 2011, 03:03:39 PM »

With Leon and me on hand, you're in good hands

jojonas~ · « **Reply #38 on:** August 29, 2011, 03:16:23 PM »

it looks like you're getting along well with your enlarger!

haha! I see a fav among the hanging~<3

Mojave · « **Reply #39 on:** August 29, 2011, 03:32:21 PM »

Quote from: Diane Peterson on August 27, 2011, 06:26:57 PM

another idea is to use foam core board..light weight and cut to size it will fit right into the frame of the window..I also use velcro to keep it in place...

Holy smokes, that's a great idea! And that stuff is cheap.

Francois · « **Reply #40 on:** August 29, 2011, 03:42:42 PM »

For one of my walls in the darkroom, I ran out of materials and ended up using some corrugated cardboard box from a futon frame. Surprisingly it works!

Britt Aximon · « **Reply #41 on:** August 29, 2011, 06:23:31 PM »

Quote from: Francois on August 28, 2011, 10:20:49 PM

BTW Britt... really nice pictures (and I really love the octopus... IKEA?)

Yes, Arthur the Octopus is from "Hej Då"-land IKEA.

Magnus · « **Reply #42 on:** September 02, 2011, 07:59:55 PM »

...and I'm a lucky guy to be married to such a lovely girl

(married to Britt, "axia")
It's a wonderful thing to be able to share your biggest interest with your partner who understands the joy of using a Rolleiflex or why some Holgas are more fun to use than others (or why the bathroom suddenly had to be converted to accept a complete darkroom... ), or why it's necessary to own four Ensign Ful-Vues (they're soooooo cute

)

Since this is my first post here I would like to take the opportunity to say "Hi" to all the nice people here at filmwasters

LT · « **Reply #43 on:** September 02, 2011, 08:07:56 PM »

Hay Magnus - glad we managed to iron out the wrinkles. My apologies again, and welcome to FW.

Miles · « **Reply #44 on:** September 02, 2011, 08:19:11 PM »

Welcome indeed !

I've got a Ful-Vue too, my first MF camera.

They are just dandy !

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=42222152@N06&q=ful+vue&m=text

There's a chap on Flickr called "Fulvue" who has many too ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31324280@N02/

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #45 on:** September 02, 2011, 08:43:36 PM »

Magnus..welcome!! I also have a ful-vue..they are so art deco...I don't think I have run any film through mine yet however!! Do you have images you can share?

Britt Aximon · « **Reply #46 on:** September 02, 2011, 08:54:24 PM »

Yay, Magnus you made it!

Diane, how a bout us bringing a ful vue each to Paris.... I have never shot with any yet, but they are so wonderful designed. A friend om mine calls them "The Darth Wadar-camera" .

Francois · « **Reply #47 on:** September 02, 2011, 08:54:41 PM »

Welcome Magnus!

Magnus · « **Reply #48 on:** September 02, 2011, 09:04:02 PM »

Thanks all!

Diane, here's a Ful-Vue shot.
Ps. Britt is in the picture

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #49 on:** September 02, 2011, 09:07:11 PM »

I love it! and I know which one she is!!

Author Topic: I am a lucky girl... (Read 11523 times)

astrobeck

astrobeck