Darkroom Photography Process

Darkrooms have been used since the early 19th century to process photographs from film. From the initial development of the film to the creation of prints, the darkroom process allows complete control over the medium.

A darkroom is used to process photographic film, to make prints and to carry out other associated tasks. It is a room that can be made completely dark to allow the processing of the light-sensitive photographic materials, including film and photographic paper. Various equipment is used in the darkroom, including an enlarger, baths containing chemicals, and running water.

Master Photographer's photograph with genuine film only.

The films are then processed in a darkroom and prints made from the negatives in a darkroom. A machine called an enlarger, projects light through the negative onto light sensitive silver halide paper to make the print. The image on the paper can be manipulated during this exposure by using more than one exposure and manipulating the light beam to selectively change the image.

These are known to last many decades, probably hundreds of years, creating darkroom prints on the finest quality silver gelatin RC or fiber-based papers that are known to have a lifespan of over 150 years. These materials are similar to those being used in the mid to late 1800’s.