LANCASTER PHOTOGRAPHY DARKROOM

Lancaster Photography Darkroom

Whether you are new to traditional photography, very experienced or just fancy having a go, the Lancaster Photography Darkroom at Assembly Arts is available for developing and printing black and white photographs. It's great fun and there is nothing like processing and printing your own photographs. There's nothing wrong with digital cameras and smartphones of course. But if you print your own photographs from film that you have processed you'll be REALLY proud! (And be able to impress all your friends!) 

If you haven't experienced the magic of the darkroom before, fear not!  Help is at hand. We run courses in all aspects of photography, including darkroom printing and processing, throughout the year. So why not give it a go?  Courses and workshops in photography make great presents as well. So why not share the joy?  You'll score some massive brownie points and they'll love you for ever! 

We also run darkroom sessions for groups. Whether you want to celebrate a special occasion, provide a team building opportunity for colleagues or just have some creative fun with mates, why not get in touch and we can organise an usual and unique experience. 


Here's how it works. Access to the Lancaster Photography Darkroom is booked via Assembly Arts. The cost for a 3 hour session is £20.00 for Assembly Arts members and £24.00 for non members.  If you haven't been to Assembly Arts you must come and visit.  As well as the Lancaster Photography Darkroom, Assembly Arts has silk screen printing facilities, a ceramics kiln, a lovely Art Room where courses are held and a contemporary art Gallery. It's also home to professional artists who have their own spaces in the beautiful old dance hall on the first floor.  It's great!   


Darkroom Access Sessions

Much as though we'd love the darkroom to be available all the time, here is when we're open: 

Tuesday
10.00 - 1.00pm
2.00 - 5.00pm
5.30 - 8.30pm

Saturday
11.30 - 2.30pm
3.00 - 6.00pm

The cost is either £20.00 or £24.00 per session - which you can book in advance online.  A minimum 3 hour booking must be made but you can make multiple bookings on any one day.  (Warning! You may be tempted! Being in the darkroom is very addictive and time just flys by!)


Sound great! So who can use the Darkroom?

The Lancaster Photography Darkroom is accessible to anyone with some experience who wants to develop and print black and white photographs. New users need to provide some evidence of their experience of using a darkroom and anyone who has completed a photography course in the darkroom at Assembly Arts may book the facilities.

All users need to do an induction session.  To arrange an induction please email alan@assemblyarts.co.uk or complete the Contact form below.  



What does the induction entail?

 Because everyone is different inductions vary in length of time depending on an individuals previous experience.  It covers familiarisation with darkroom equipment and building safety procedures.  Obviously the induction is not a darkroom printing or refresher course and you can of course enrol on one of those at any time. 


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. (Don't worry if you don't understand that. It just means that they're pretty good.)  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 so the facilities do need to be booked in advance.  We do like things clean and tidy so its great when darkroom users work in a safe and tidy manner (hint, hint...)

Ilford multigrade developer, stop and fix chemicals are provided for conventional black and white printing and is included in the session fee. So you don't need to bring any chemicals if you are printing!

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


When processing your film you may want to bring your own  film processing chemistry or this can be purchased at £3.00 per 600ml tank. 


What do I need to bring?

You'll need to bring your own photographic paper but this can be purchased on the day if required.  You can also bring your own 'non standard' chemicals if you wish.


How much does it cost?

 3 hour sessions are £20 for Assembly Arts Members who receive a 20% discount on all darkroom bookings and classes. Assembly Arts Membership is £10 per month (£5 Under 25s/students) 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. For non members the cost is £24 for 3 hours.  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 at alan@assemblyarts.co.uk to arrange a visit and an induction or use the Contact form below. 

Once you have completed an induction you will be able to book individual sessions online via the Assembly Arts website.

To avoid disappointment booking in advance is essential as this secures your space for the session. Bear in mind also booking slots close 1 day ahead. (This is so we know who is coming in  and we can get things nice and ready for you)


Who runs Lancaster Photography Darkroom?

The Lancaster Photography Darkroom is run by Assembly Arts Co-Founder Alan Morris.  Alan has been taking photographs practically all his life - he got his first camera (a Polaroid Swinger) when he was 8 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 BA(Hons) Fine Art Photography at the University of Gloucestershire and Curriculum Leader for the BA(Hons) Photography course at Blackpool.  He was Course Leader for the MA Entrepreneurship for Creative Practice programme at Arts University Plymouth and has a PhD in Digital Technologies and Photographic Archives, along with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).  


Alan loves social documentary and landscape photography.  He is very happy to give one to one tuition if there is a particular aspect of creative photography that you would like to explore. Just get in touch at alan@assemblyarts.co.uk or use the Contact form below. He'd love to hear from you. 




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.