“The enlargement of a snapshot does not simply render more precise what in any case was visible, though unclear: it reveals entirely new structural formations of the subject“
Walter Benjamin
The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
Offering equipment and expert assistance, SW Darkroom is a sanctuary to produce exhibition standard work in a spacious and calm environment with minimal distractions. You can book the entire darkroom space for a whole day to do large silver gelatin prints (up to 54″), or book a four hour slot for printing up top 20″ x 24″. In addition to the darkroom space for black/white and colour printing, we offer Mac workstations, a flatbed scanner and a 44″ HP Inkjet printer as well as film processing. We are happy to announce the addition of colour printing with the installation of a Colenta RA4 processor. Contact us if you would like to come have a look, we would be happy to show you around the space.
SW DARKROOM
OFFERS
– Community workshops
– Artist talks
– Artist residencies
– Member discounts
– Technical Assistance
Facilities & Equipment.
FACILITIES
- Large Black and White Printing, up to 54 inches
- Colour Printing up to 20″ X 24″
- Print 35, 120, 4×5 or 8×10 negatives
- Four separate enlarger stations in darkroom
- 2145mm x 1585mm sink with troughs, custom made for the darkroom with large black/white printing in mind
- Multiple trays, all chemicals provided
- Alternative process printing, including platinum palladium
- Booking availabilities in 4 hour slots, or for the whole day
- Bookable technical printing assistance
- Film processing at competitive pricing
- Digital inkjet printing, up to 44” wide and large variety of paper stock to choose from
- Easy workflow areas; editing, printing and retouching
- Viewing wall in natural light, with comfortable seating area
- Kettle, coffee machine and fridge
- Library with photography, darkroom technique books and magazines for perusal
- Auto and Bike parking on site
THE EQUIPMENT
- Enlargers; a DeVere 504 with Dichromat colour head, a DeVere 203 with Dichromat colour head, a DeVere 504 Ilford Multigrade and a wall mounted DeVere 5108 with Dichromat colour head capable of producing 54” prints.
- Colenta RA4 Colour Paper Processor
- HP DesignJet Z3200 44-in PostScript Photo Printer
- Four Mac workstations, loaded with software and internet connection
- High res flatbed scanner
- Film Processing equipment
- UV light box for alternative process prints
Ethos.
The characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its attitudes and aspirations.
SW Darkroom is a collaborative printing space for fine art photographers. The philosophy behind thew Darkroom is a place for like-minded people to have access to a workspace in an inspiring environment.
Meet the team; Melissa Magnuson; RCA photography graduate/artist, Lewin St. Cyr; RCA photography department/artist, Ramona Guntert; RCA photography department/artist; Simon Ward; RCA photography department/artist, Frankie Magnuson; Goldsmiths University graduate, and Jacob Lazarus; Goldsmith’s graduate/artist. We are building a community and welcome you to join us.
The darkroom was constructed in a remarkable space that was neglected and forgotten in a Gothic Revival building, built by order of Queen Victoria in 1859 as a school for girls. Hidden away and accessible by stairs leading down from the historic rear courtyard, the darkroom reveals a thoughtfully designed and beautifully renovated space with separate areas for darkroom hand printing, a natural light viewing room, four workstations with Mac computers and 44” HP inkjet printer for digital files. With capabilities of producing large silver gelatin prints up to 54 inches, SW Darkroom is unique in the field.
Benefits:
-15% off all services excluding film processing, scanning and contact sheets.
-One free small format Black and White printing session – four hour slot.
-Early bird information on all artist talks and workshops.
-Members newsletter promoting opportunities in wider photography world.
Darkroom Printing
– Large format darkroom hand printing up to 54” Day rate, whole darkroom usage (for darkroom only) – £200
– Four hour time slots for darkroom hand printing (up to 20” x 24”) – £35
– Technical assistance for the day – add £150
– Colour or black/white printing Day Rate (up to 20 x 24) – £75
– Mac work stations/scanning/DIY film processing £12.50 per hour slot
-Technical assistance per four hour slot, add £65
Film Processing (Fill out form below)
Process Only
- 35mm / 120 per roll – £7.50
- 5×4 per film – £6.00
Scanning (Price per frame)
NB: We only scan high resolution of negative frames that you select, this is because we believe in attention to details.
- 35mm – £2
- 120 – £2
- 5×4 – £4
Process and Contact Sheet (Hand-Print)
NB: Please note, a ‘contact sheet’ is a print created with the negatives placed directly on top of the photographic paper, i.e not enlarged. Your negatives and contact should be ready within 3 days for collection.
- 35mm / 120 per Colour roll – £14
- 35mm / 120 per B/W roll – £16
- 5×4 per Colour sheet film – £7.50
- 5×4 per B/W sheet film – £10
Drop-off Form
Upon dropping off your film please ensure this form is filled out. You can either drop off your film at the darkroom yourself (if we are not there please place it in the red post-box at the bottom of the stairs) or you can mail it to us. If mailing please ensure that you put a return address in the case of a failed delivery. Thanks!
Large Format Inkjet Printing
Set up (for each file to print) – £20.00
Discounts available for larger quantity orders, 20% discount on multiples of same print.
Paper in stock
- Proofing paper
- Hahnemühle Photo Rag 188 GSM
- Somerset Velvet 300 GSM
- Hahnemühle Sugar Cane 300 GSM
- Clear film (to print negatives)
- Self adhesive vinyl paper for wall mount images (contact us for quote)
Turn around time
We endeavour to have your film and prints ready two full working days from drop off – e.g. drop off at 2pm Tuesday, collect after 2pm Thursday – but this may vary according to our schedules and the size of the order. To get an idea as to the current turnaround time, contact us: info@swdarkroom.com
Scan only is available from entire rolls of film, either uncut or cut in strips of at least 4 frames (35mm) or 2 frames (120) Please note, a ‘contact sheet’ is a print created with the negatives placed directly on top of the photographic paper, i.e not enlarged.
Contact Sheet Only (Digital)
We offer 15% discounts for students on all services (bar film processing and scanning). Please send a valid ID to apply discount.
News & Events.
SW Crit Sessions
Join us at SW Darkroom on a monthly basis as we host group Crit sessions. This is a very casual crit session where we will have open discussions about our WIP projects. Bring anything you’ve
Colour printing workshop – new dates added!
Our next colour printing workshops will be taking place on the 14th and 21st of October. The course costs £80 per person and will be limited to just 2 people per workshop . This workshop
IRI – Workshop
This is a two day workshop facilitated by Ramona Güntert. IRI, the workshop title, is inspired by the phenomenon of iridescence in which the surface of the material changes colour depending on the angle and
Black and White Printing Workshop
For all those new to darkroom printing or need a refresher course this 4 hour intensive introduction to printing black and white is run by Sara Marinangeli, our head technician. The course costs £60 per
Can We Dance Again? Exhibition!
SW Darkroom presents our first group exhibition, Can We Dance Again? showcasing the work of 14 artists who use the Darkroom as a space within their practice, working with both still and moving image. As we take
Update: We are open
Hello SW community, It’s been a while! Like most of you, we’ve spent the last year trying to keep up with everything happening in the world. Some of us created images more than ever, with others
Royal Victoria Patriotic Building
John Archer Way
SW18 3SX
Rear Courtyard Basement 3
Email: info@swdarkroom.com
Phone: 07851643621