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.

Membership includes the following:

• Free induction (inducting you in using our enlargers and equipment)
• Regular access to our Darkroom and technician support
• Priority in booking out your work bay and enlarger
• Storage for member’s paper/work
• Discounted one-to-one technician support at £18.50 p/hr
• Stock of film and photographic paper, available for purchase
• Discount in our Coffee House

As a registered charity, we strive to make our membership fees as affordable as possible whilst ensuring we are able to invest in maintaining our facilities. We offer a regular and student print membership which are renewed annually:

Student memberships are suitable for students that are still studying or are within 2 years of graduating. We require proof of eligibility in the form of a student ID or graduation certificate.

Once you have joined a member, we charge £7.50 per hour for access or bring your own plant based chemistry for £4.50 per hour.

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 for a membership, why not try a One-to-One session?

This is available for both members and non-members and 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)