Darkroom

The Darkroom provides a supportive and accessible space for beginners and experienced creatives to practice analogue photography. After consultation with The Disabled Photographers Society and Ilford Master Daniel T Wheeler, it is the first fully wheelchair accessible darkroom in the UK. Our technician is regularly on-hand to help you develop your artistic skills and practice, whether that be learning new skills or experimenting with alternative techniques and materials.

Our Darkroom offers the following:

• Regular access and technician support
• Opportunity to receive one-to-one technician support
• Access to a stock of film and photographic paper, available for purchase

Darkroom Access times:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am – 5pm

Technician support available on Thursdays and Fridays.

We also offer evening access on the first Thursday of the month until 8pm and occasionally we offer Saturday access when there are no workshops & courses booked in the Darkroom.

As a registered charity, we strive to make our fees as affordable as possible whilst ensuring we are able to invest in maintaining our facilities.

There are no memberships to the space, instead every first-time user is required to book a one hour induction. During the induction you’ll make a print from start to finish with our technician Emily and use each of our enlargers, helping you to become familiar with the space and cover all health and safety requirements.

The induction fee is waived for any first-time users booking the space within one month of attending a Darkroom printing workshop.

Inductions must be repeated after a year-long absence from use of the facilities.

Once you’ve had your induction, email Emily@the-arthouse.org.uk to book in to use the Darkroom, you can opt for a half day or full day session.

All chemicals are included within your booking fee, you will need to bring your own photo paper or purchase some from us for an additional cost.

If you’re a complete beginner and wanting to delve into the world of photography, we can help!

We have a variety of workshops and courses covering all aspects of photography that are suitable for beginners. Our tutors will guide you through the whole process ensuring you feel confident and able to continue with the process going forward.

View Workshops & Courses

Darkroom One-to-One

Not sure if you’re ready to work independently, why not try a One-to-One session?

This is a great way to gain an insight into the space.

For more information, please contact our technician – Emily@the-arthouse.org.uk

Find out more 

Emily Ryalls is the Darkroom Technician at The Art House, Wakefield. In this short film she talks about her work as an artist, the joy in pushing photography as a medium and the way that creative community fuels her practice.

If you would like to learn more about Emily and her practice, take a look at her website here.

This video was filmed and directed by local photographer Simon Wiffen.

Facilities

• 2 x Devere 203 enlargers
• 1 x LPL 7451 5×4 (colour head) enlarger
• 1 x LPL VCCE VC7700 6×7 enlarger
• 1 x Durst M670 6×7 B&W enlarger
• Custom designed and built wheelchair accessible darkroom sink with integrated archival wash
• Print drying rack on adjustable pull rope
• Paterson developing tanks (ranging from small to 8 x 35mm tanks)
• MOD54 developing tank
• All the darkroom essentials (including contrast filters, filters, tongs, trays, thermometers, measuring jugs, focus finders)