Due to Covid-19 and social distancing, our Darkroom is closed until further notice.
The Brewery Darkroom is available for developing and printing black and white photography.
Download our Darkroom access flyer here.
When is the Darkroom available?
Supervised sessions run on a Monday evening 6 – 8.30pm, approximately twice a month, alternate Mondays*
*closed Bank Holidays
Who can use the Darkroom?
The Brewery Darkroom is accessible to:
- Professional photographers or those with proven experience who wish to develop and print black and white film photography. Users will need to provide evidence of their experience of darkroom photography.
- Those who have successfully completed a darkroom photography course at the Brewery.
- All users, regardless of experience, must undergo an induction session.
What is the induction?
All darkroom users must undertake an induction before using the facilities. Inductions take approximately 20-30 minutes at the start of a session and will cover darkroom and building safety procedures and familiarisation with equipment. The induction is NOT a darkroom printing or refresher course.
How many people can use the Darkroom?
The darkroom can accommodate a maximum of 4 people at any one time plus the supervisor.
What is provided?
Four enlargers are available for black and white film processing. The darkroom operates on a first come first served basis and enlarging bays need to be booked in advance.
Multigrade Dec, Stop and Fix chemicals are provided for traditional black and white printing and is included in the session fee.
Developing trays accommodate A4 size paper.
There is a supervisor present at each session. The supervisor is not a tutor and can only provide support in an informal, non-professional capacity.
What do I need to bring?
Users need to bring their own film and paper. Paper can be purchased from the darkroom supervisor if required. Any other chemicals must be brought by the user and removed at the end of the session. Darkroom users are expected to work in a tidy manner.
How much does it cost?
There is no annual membership and users can pay per session. The first session including induction costs £25 for 2 ½ hours. Subsequent sessions are £20 per two hours.
How do I book?
If you would like to use the darkroom, please contact Kate Lund, Creative Learning Adult and Visual Arts Manager kate.lund@breweryarts.co.uk . Bookings and payment by credit/debit card can be made over the phone on 01539 725133. Bookings cannot be made online as verification of proven experience before your first visit is required.
Booking an enlarger bay at least 24 hours in advance is essential as this secures your space for the session and confirms our volunteer supervisors will be present. We will endeavour to ensure a supervisor is present at all advertised times. If a supervisor is not available, the session will be cancelled and your session fee can be transferred to another date.
If you are interested in joining any of our Photography workshops or courses please click here.
Terms and Conditions
The Brewery 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.
The Brewery reserves the right to refuse access to any users at any time.
Payment must be made in advance and cancellations must be made at least 48 hours in advance. No refunds/credit can be provided after this time, unless the Brewery Arts Centre cancels the session in which case the booking can be transferred to another date.
