Darkroom has many tools, materials and accessories. Numerous items, equipment and accessories are required to convert the film into colorful or black and white photographs such as sinks, washers, easels, safelights, enlargers and trays. Every item in a darkroom has a specific feature, function and place. Be careful while dealing with chemicals as they might be harmful for the skin and might also spoil the clothing.
All darkrooms need items to make life easier and make good quality prints. These items include:
- Gloves
- Ilford VC Multigrade Printing Filters
- Lightboxes
- Paper Flashers for contrast control
- Developing dishes
- Thermometers
- Film Wipes and Print Squeegees
- Dish warmers
- Print Tongs
- Air Purifiers
- Films.
- Chemicals. And so on.
Chemicals
Both powered and liquid forms of chemicals are available in the market. Most of the photographers use liquid rather than powered chemical because liquid chemicals are easy to mix without worrying about the powdered particles in the air, or stuck to the film. There are various types of photography papers available in the market such as dull, smooth, semi glossy, colored, black and white etc.
Paper
It doesn’t matter what type of photo (colored or black and white) photographers want to take, all they need is special paper to form enlarged photographs. Fotospeed, Ilford, Kentmere and Tetenal wholesale various sizes for black and white photo ranging between 4" x 6" up to 20" by 16". While buying black and white photo paper, search for paper that generate deep blacks and distinguishes between grey shades. There are many companies like Fuji, Kodak and Ilford which provide color photo paper. It is good to buy heavy weight photo paper; initially it might be expensive but it is worth in long run.
Print Tongs
To carefully tackle the film and photo prints without worry of damaging or touching chemicals use print tongs. Select from bamboo print tongs along with rubber ends, plastic print tongs, or steel. Specially covered tweezers help in moving film and paper. Plastic chemical mixers are easily available from photography shops. Waterproof thermometers double as a moving stick when required.
Gloves and Apron
Gloves are an essential accessory because they guard hands from dangerous chemicals that might harm or burn the skin. An apron will protect the clothes from drops and splashes of different material.
Timer
It is one of the most important darkroom items. A good timer must have both a minute and second hand. The hands on some timers are glowing so that they can be easily seen in the dark. It is good if the timer has an alarm buzzer.
Thermometers
Thermometers are also important items in a darkroom. While buying the thermometers ensure that it is accurate and reliable as the photographer should know the temperature of the chemicals used for developing purposes. A good quality thermometer must be fog and leak proof.
Squeegees
Squeegees eliminate additional water from RC or fiber prints to speed up the drying process. For glossy print papers it is good to use a roller squeegee.
Cleaning equipments
Cleaning equipments are as essential as the accessories that assist produce photos and negatives. To keep the area clean and free from dust use:
- Alcohol prep pads.
- Absorbent bench pad covers.
- Micro sonic cleaning solutions.
- Ultra sonic cleaners.
- Metal polish.
Darkroom accessories are available in various styles shapes, sizes, and
