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)

OFF-HOURS
DARKROOM USE
$25 / HOUR

The darkrooms will be available to rent any day up to 7 pm with a 48-hour advance booking or reservation. 

You must book at least 48 hours in advance to reserve your time in the darkroom.

For example, if you want to book the darkroom for Wednesday afternoon you must schedule it not later than the Monday before. This gives Photo Retro time to get someone into the shop and ready for you. No short-notice bookings will be available.

To reserve private darkroom time, please email INFO@PHOTORETRO.BIZ with the subject header of "Darkroom By Appointment" so we'll know it's for after-hours rentals.

Darkroom Equipment available 

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
    • You can bring in your own chemicals to use
  • 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.