Community darkroom or private darkroom. Your choice?

Would you rather have a darkroom all to yourself, or share a community one and be social?

I prefer a darkroom for my self, and be social somewhere els!
Bertil

I do prefer the private darkroom, allows you to spread out stuff here and hide junk there. Your music, your wine and no time limits. A walk up the yard to the house, clean up tomorrow if you wish.

I have done both over a period of time. I started out in a community dark room and enjoyed interfacing with people who gave me pointers and critiques. Then I set up my own darkroom that was not subject to hours. Later, I got access to a color lab which was very advantageous. All of the equipment was maintained with fresh chemistry. That situation died and now I am doing mostly B&W my home darkroom that I have maintained for 25 years. It is good from the standpoint that I know my own equipment and it is set up for me. I would never do color but now that is more easily done with inkjet. I miss the social element and must seek it separately by showing prints online or to local photographers.

Good morning;

For most of my weird things, I need my own equipment. Many of my things are not found in a rental or community darkroom. However, I do admit that when it comes to large format, then I do rent darkroom time since I do not yet have an enlarger for LF.

I had not considered the possible social aspect. It has not happened yet, except for the initial instruction and check-out period with the darkroom operator's staff.

Enjoy; Ralph, Latte Land, Washington

Hello all, this is my first post!

Its an exciting time at the moment as I have just set up a community Darkroom, to encourage work with the physical space but also provide a location where photographers can share work and ideas. We will be organising talks and discussion groups to explore work, techniques, anything related really.

Personally i prefer to work on my own within the darkroom, i find the space and time very calming, i have found though that the community aspect helps to keep the work flowing, the ability to discuss ideas and get feedback is quite valuable.

It would be great If anyone has advice or ideas regarding community Darkrooms they have worked in.

With thanks

naomi

ive been in both situations, and prefer the personal one. i have had it that i used a community darkroom, but was the only guy in there on the majority of occasions.

Hi All

I've done both, and personally I prefer working in my own environment which I've created to suite my needs. I recently had the chance to get a Durst L1200 4x4 enlarger which is really nice to work with. Presently I have a Durst M700, that I'd like to find a good home for. Its a nice enlarger as well, can work with negs up to 6x9.
So anyone out there how's not set up with their own enlarger, now is the time so speak up.

Have a nice day

Marc