The Home Darkroom
Black-and-white printing is the next step after film processing. It requires a room that can be made totally dark (except for a special darkroom red light). You also need an enlarger and a counter or tabletop with space for several trays to hold the developing and fixing chemicals. Bessler, Omega, and Durst make good enlargers, and you can find used enlargers for relatively low prices. eBay is a good source; you can check out the pictures and then do research online for the models listed. A good, clean lens is essential. Having a sink and running water in the darkroom is very helpful but not strictly required; once your prints have been in the fixative they can be brought out of the darkroom to be rinsed.
eBay is a good source for used equipment, but also try classified ads, yard sales, and your local camera shop. Other equipment you will need includes:
Lightbox
Filters
Paper
Processing tanks
Scissors
Timer (preferably a Graflex with numbers that glow in the dark)
Thermometer
Trays
Tongs
Measuring cups
Proofing frame or glass
Burning and dodging tools
Paper towels
Squeegee
It is possible to pick up books that discuss the entire process and lead you through it step by step, which is absolutely necessary, particularly if you have never made a print on your own. Color processing is even more involved than black-and-white and takes several more steps. Neither process, however, is usually anything that beginning photographers want to tackle, and detailed information on how to do them is beyond the scope of this book. If you're interested in learning more about processing your own prints, it's a good idea to take a class and have a pro show you how to do it.
