LANCASTER PHOTOGRAPHY DARKROOM

Lancaster Photography Darkroom

Whether you are very experienced, new to traditional photography or just fancy having a go, the Lancaster Photography Darkroom at Assembly Arts is available for developing and printing black and white photographs. Courses in all aspects of photography, including darkroom printing and processing, also run throughout the year. Access to the darkroom is £6.00 per hour for Assembly Arts Members and £8.00 per for non members. 


Darkroom Access Sessions

Monday
10.00 - 1.00pm
2.00 - 5.00pm
6.00 - 9.00pm

Tuesday
10.00 - 1.00pm
2.00 - 5.00pm
6.00 - 9.00pm

Wednesday
10.00 - 1.00pm
2.00 - 5.00pm
6.00 - 9.00pm

Cost £18.00/£24.00 per session


All sessions must be booked in advance online. 

A minimum 3 hour booking must be made. Users can make multiple bookings on any one day. 


Who can use the Darkroom?

The Lancaster Photography Darkroom is accessible to photographers with some experience who wish to develop and print black and white film photographs. Users will need to provide evidence of their experience of darkroom developing and printing.

Those who have successfully completed a photography course in the darkroom at Assembly Arts may book the facilities.

All users, regardless of experience, must undergo an induction session.  To apply and arrange a suitable time for an induction please email alan@assemblyarts.co.uk 



What does the induction entail?

All darkroom users must undertake an induction before using the facilities. Inductions take approximately 30 minutes and will cover familiarisation with darkroom equipment and building safety procedures. The induction is NOT a darkroom printing or refresher course.

How many people can use the darkroom?

The darkroom can accommodate a maximum of 4 people at any one time.  

What is provided?

Four enlargers with Schneider lenses are available for 35mm and medium format (6x7) black and white film printing. Processing tanks, measuring cylinders and thermometers are available for processing black and white 35mm and 120 film. The darkroom operates on a first come first served basis and the facilities must booked in advance. Darkroom users are expected to work in a safe and tidy manner.

Ilford multigrade developer, stop and fix chemicals are provided for conventional black and white printing and is included in the session fee. 

Developing trays can accommodate paper upto 16” x 12” size.

Film processing chemistry (Ilford developer, stop and fix) can be purchased at £3.00 per 600ml tank or users may provide their own. 


What do I need to bring?

Users need to bring their own film and paper. Paper can be purchased if required.  Any other 'non standard' chemicals must be supplied by the user.


How much does it cost?

 3 hour sessions are £24. Assembly Arts Members receive a 25% discount on all darkroom bookings and photography classes. Assembly Arts Membership is £10 per month and as well as discounts includes invitations to private views and access to special events and trips. More information about Assembly Arts Membership can be found here. If a user leaves early (ie before the end of a session) unfortunately no refunds for all or part of the session can be made.



How do I book?

If you would like to use the Lancaster Photography Darkroom please email Alan Morris at alan@assemblyarts.co.uk to arrange an induction.

Once you have successfully fully completed an induction you will be able to book individual sessions online via this website.

Booking in advance is essential as this secures your space for the session. 


Who runs Lancaster Photography Darkroom?

The darkroom is run by Assembly Arts Co-Founder Alan Morris. Alan has been taking photographs throughout his life, and set up his first darkroom at the age of 12. DBS checked, Alan is a highly experienced teacher and has taught all aspects of photography to people of all ages and abilities throughout his professional career. Alan has taught in a number of art colleges and institutions, including as Course Leader for the MA Entrepreneurship for Creative Practice programme at Arts University Plymouth, Course Leader BA(Hons) Fine Art Photography at the University of Gloucestershire and Curriculum Leader for the BA(Hons) Photography course at Blackpool.  He has a PhD in Digital Technologies and Photographic Archives, along with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).


Alan has a particular interest in social documentary and landscape photography.  Alan is very happy to give one to one tuition if there is a particular aspect of creative photography that you would like to explore. Please get in touch at alan@assemblyarts.co.uk or use the contact form. 




Terms and Conditions

Assembly Arts cannot accept responsibility for the loss or damage to personal property used in the darkroom or left when users are not in attendance. Darkroom users do so at their own risk. Assembly Arts reserves the right to refuse access to any users at any time. Assembly Arts reserves the right to make reasonable amendments to session times and equipment.
Sessions must be booked and paid for in advance and cancellations must be made at least 48 hours in advance. No refunds or credit can be provided after this time. If the session is cancelled by Assembly Arts the booking can be transferred to another date.