The DARKROOM COOKBOOK, Third Edition

6 THE DARKROOM COOKBOOK
Air Inlet
Air Flow
DRY SIDE
WET SIDE
Trimmer
Enlarger
Dev. Stop Fix
Filter
Faucet
Filter
Fan
Air Flow
Paper
Safe
Figure 1-2 A possible darkroom confi guration. The enlarger may be placed in the middle or at either end and the trays arranged accordingly. Fresh air should
enter from a passive vent over the dry side or in the door. (Thanks to Brian MacNeil of Canada.)
Another photographer whom I know has a small, walk-in closet. He built shelves, put
his enlarger at one end, stacked trays on a tray ladder, and added a paper safe and rotating
drafting stool. He turns from his enlarger to his trays and back. When a print is fi nished, he
carries it outside and places it in a washer which sits on a plywood board with a 2 � 4 foot
frame over the bathtub. The washer and frame are stored in the darkroom when he’s not
printing.
From a practical point of view, a permanent darkroom should not be much smaller than
6 � 7 feet. For safety and comfort, the minimum open space to stand and move about should
be at least 30 inches wide.
Figures 1-2 and 1-3 show two possible darkroom confi gurations. The size of either darkroom
can be increased to accommodate a longer sink, drying cabinet, and the addition of a
utility bench.
Archival
Washer