Response to access to darkrooms

There is no substitute for your own darkroom. No matter how rudimentary, being able to print at your own pace, and knowing your own equipment, is essential to doing well at the craft. You should be able to pick up an older enlarger of some sort at a garage sale or flea market for $20-50. I've seen good usable ones for even less. With the same stuff, there is usually a disgusting box of old trays and maybe a plastic tank. Toss the tank and splurge another $40 on a stainless tank and some chemicals and paper. With some clever shopping, you should be able to set up the basics for under $100. Put the word out to friends, and any local photographers, and you may find that people have old equipment stashed away that they'd happily give away. People set up to process and print in bathrooms, basements, dorm rooms, etc. There's always a way if you really want to do it. Don't get the "equipment disease"- you can produce professional looking prints with some very primitive equipment. Let us know how you do and what avenue you end up taking.

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