from our "home remodeling" project library

Who Needs a Darkroom
Today's budding photographers may be asking themselves an important question – Do I need a darkroom?

While darkrooms are the mainstay of serious photographers who use film, they have become unnecessary for many who prefer digital photography and video work. With digital photography, there is no film to process and, thus, no need for a special photo production room to work in.

Digital photography and video processing has taken the world by storm, as it allows even novice photographers to quickly display and manipulate images. All that is required is a computer and a software package that allows printing and image adjustments.

Your Basement Can Still Be a Darkroom
This type of photo production room is easy to set up as part of a home office, den, basement or loft space. Those who process lots of images should consider creating a designated computer room. Many photographers turn their basement, spare bedroom or den into a computer room, complete with the incoming light that is detrimental to standard film development. These photo production rooms often have a large video screen, a wide desk area, and a color printer.

Those who still want to develop film the old fashioned way will need to build a darkroom. Among the important features to include are a way to block incoming light around the door and any windows; ventilation and storage for the chemicals; water and a sink for processing; and a storage rack for pictures.

In the end, the decision about whether to add a darkroom comes down to how you process pictures. Consider your lifestyle, budget and the layout of your home when deciding between a computer room for digital photography and a darkroom for film.