Combining the power of light and chemistry to make art.

Friend of the darkroom

$200 / YEar

"Friend of the Darkroom" membership helps us defray the costs of operating Photo Retro's darkroom while keeping our hourly rates low. 

Let's face it.  Operating a darkroom costs money. Chemistry, equipment, and other operating costs have only gotten more expensive since digital cameras tanked the film photography market 20+ years ago. Plus, we like to keep our expert staff happy and well-fed. 

Your contribution helps Photo Retro to cover the costs of operating, maintaining, and improving Southern New Hampshire's only public darkroom. Membership includes 9 hours of free darkroom time per calendar year (a $108 value!).  You also gain access to special events, news, and info.  And swag.  Because we all love membership swag.

Darkroom rental after the free 9 hours are at regular hourly price

Hourly
Darkroom use

$16 / hour

​
  • Reserve darkroom time above.
  • Time slots are available in 1, 2, and 3 hour sessions. 
  • If you need more time, book multiple consecutive appointments.
  • If it's been a while since you've been in a darkroom, we recommend reserving a minimum of 2 hours for a production darkroom session. 
  • Bring your own photographic paper or buy a box when you arrive.
  • We stock Arista.edu photographic paper in matte or glossy. 
  • Available sizes are:
    • 5x7 (25 sheets)
    • 8x10 (25 sheets)
    • 11x14 (10 sheets)
    • 16x20 (10 sheets)

Darkroom supplies available on-hand

Each darkroom has three enlarger stations:
  • Beseler 23c II for use with 35mm and 120 format negatives  (condenser)
  • LPL C6700 Dichroic (diffusion)
  • Omega D2 for negatives up to 4x5 (condenser)
Printing filters
  • Ilford Multigrade and Kodak Polycontrast filter kits for Variable Contrast printing
  • Color filters for RA-4 printing
Easels for standard print sizes
  • Doran 4-in-1 style easels
  • Speed EZ style easels.
  • Adjustable easels available too!
Trays for printing all sizes, tongs, etc.
Print dryer and blotters

We stock the following supplies to support your darkroom work:
  • Chemicals that we provide:
    • HC-110 dil B for B&W film developing
    • Arista Rapid C-41 and E-6 kits for color negative and positive developing
    • Ilford Multigrade Developer for B&W Paper developing
    • Kodak Indicator Stop Bath
    • Ilford Rapid Fixer
    • NOTE:  We'll be transitioning to Sprint Chemicals in early 2022 for B&W Paper Developing
    • You can bring in your own chemicals to use as well!
  • Developing Equipment available for use:
    • Paterson and Stainless Developing Tanks for 35mm and 120 format
    • Stearman Press SP-445 Tank for 4x5 sheet
    • Stearman Press SP-810 for large format sheet film
    • Jobo CPE-2
  • Plenty of tanks, trays, etc to support printing up to 16 x 20
    • Reserve a station in Capa's Room for print sizes up to 8x10
    • Reserve a station in Cunningham's Room for print sizes up to 16 x 20
  • If you have any specific requests, please ask via the Contact Us page!

Tap your inner alchemist

Making prints in the darkroom is a magical experience.
Whether you're new to darkroom work or coming back to relive that magic,
​our darkroom is here for you to explore your photographic creativity.