Darkroom Procedures

DARKROOM PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS

**FOR EVERY CLASS**

1. CONTACT INFORMATION: Darkroom Phone: (212) 998-5755

Blog: http://barneydarkroom.blogspot.com

2. EQUIPMENT CHECK OUT: If you would like to take equipment out of the building, you must check it out at the Cage. All equipment may be checked out for 3 days at a time. When you check out equipment, please bring your ID. Upon check out, you will sign a contract agreeing to our policies, and receive a slip of paper with your due date/time, a copy of the policies, and our phone number. Equipment may be re-checked out in person only, so long as no one else has it reserved.

3. EQUIPMENT RESERVATIONS: All equipment may be reserved in advance. This is not a requirement for check out, but helps guarantee equipment. Reservations can be made by visiting the Cage or calling at 212-998-5755. Equipment can be reserved as far in advance as necessary. If you do not pick up your reservation by 15 minutes past your reservation time, the reservation will be cancelled.

4. LATE RETURN POLICY: We have a very strict late return policy. You will be charged $10 for every half hour you are late, including the hours we are closed. NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are running late, you can call the Cage before your due time to extend your reservation up to a few hours with no fines. If you are already late, you may call the Cage to “stop the clock” on your fine. You are responsible for all lost, stolen, or broken items that are checked out under your name and will be charged accordingly for all replacement and repairs. 

All fines get processed at the end of every month and will be charged directly to your NYU Bursars account.

If you have a VALID reason to dispute your fine (ie. Personal/medical/family emergency that prevented you from calling the Cage), you may ask the Cage for a Review Board form to fill out and schedule a meeting to please your case in front of our Review Board.

5. OPEN HOURS: All open hours can be found on our blog. There is also a schedule of open hours posted on the front doors of the Darkroom and on the doors of each classroom.  Digital printing and film developing may occur in the main area any time we are open (so long as a class is not giving a demonstration. The darkrooms may be used any time open hours are posted.

All printing must be finished 15 minutes before closing – white lights go on in the Darkrooms, color processor is turned off, and digital printers are turned off at that time.

6. PHOTO STICKERS: These stickers signify you have access to the facilities and equipment. Please leave these on your IDs all semester. Stickers will be issued after approximately 3 weeks.  Until we get them, monitors will look up your name on class lists.

7. PHOTO STUDIOS: Rooms 201 and 206 are equipped with black, white, and gray seamless backdrop rolls. They may be used on a first-come-first-serve basis M-F during open hours. You must also allow students to enter the classrooms during this time. The studios may be reserved on Sundays only – during this time you may privatize the studio and bar others from entering.

8. DARKROOM SIGNAGE: There are signs posted around the facility. Please read these signs. They are posted for a reason. If you are confused or have any questions, please see a monitor in the Cage.

9. KEEP THE DARKROOM CLEAN! Please clean up after yourself, which includes throwing away your garbage and cleaning up any spilled liquids or chemicals.

**FOR ALL DARKROOM CLASSES**

1. WORKING IN-HOUSE: When you come in to use the darkroom for anything in-house, such as film developing and Darkroom printing, you need bring your ID and fill out a sign-in sheet.  This must be filled out COMPLETELY.  Write down your full name, ID# (the N #), Date, and circle “B&W” or “Color” depending on which lab you would like to use.  Check the box for the equipment you need (ie. “35mm kit” for an enlarger).  Write any extra lenses or negative carriers you need in the “Extra Equipment” column.  For developing tanks, check “Single” or “Double” under Plastic or Metal.  Be sure to check every accessory you need, such as scissors and can opener.  You must also sign the bottom of the form.  (You do not have to fill this out for digital printing)

2. ENLARGER STATIONS: Please use the enlarger that corresponds to your kit box to keep order in the Darkroom.  If you have a preference for an enlarger, ask the monitor if it is available. When you are done using your enlarger, remove your lens and negative carrier, turn off both power supplies, cover it back up with the plastic, and clean up anything left behind at the station. Remember to put all your items in the enlarger kit before returning it. 

3. EYEWASH STATIONS: There are eyewash stations in both darkrooms and in the film developing area.  Pull down and the water will flow.  Use this immediately if you get chemicals in your eyes.

4. There are dust cloths and liquid film cleaner available from the cage.  You are responsible for supplying negative sleeves and canned air.

**FOR B&W CLASSES**

1. FILM DEVELOPING: Tanks and reels need to be completely dry before returning them to the cage. Either dry with a paper towel, or put them at the bottom of the film dryer while your film dries. This is not only to help the monitors but fellow students, because film cannot be loaded onto a wet reel.  If you have been given a wet tank or reel, ask the monitor for a dry one.
2. When developing film, you must keep the chemicals and tanks in the film developing area and over the sinks. Do NOT walk around with your full film tanks.

3. PRINTING: Please attach the lens board gently but tight enough to the enlarger so as not to damage the enlarger or to risk the lens falling out.
4. There is a contact printer in the top drawer of each station.  Return it there when you are finished.  If you happen to be missing one, inform the monitor.
5. The second drawer is designed to store your paper while at the station.  It has an additional flap to reduce any possible light leaks.
6. The tongs in the trays are all labeled according to the chemical they are to be used with.  Please return tongs to the proper tray to avoid contamination.
7. Allow prints to drip before moving them over to the next tray.  This will make chemicals last longer and will also avoid contamination.
8. Do not handle the prints with anything but the tongs until they are washed with water. Wash skin immediately if you come in contact with chemicals to avoid skin irritation.
9. RETURN YOUR TRAYS TO THE DARKROOM, under the sink, when you are finished with it.  Trays cannot be left outside the darkroom.  Also, do not leave your trays at your enlarger station as they are not waterproof.  Return them below the sink.

10. DRY RACKS: Remove your prints from the drying rack as soon as possible after they are dry to make space for other people. Dry racks get emptied at the end of every week. All unclaimed prints will be thrown away.

11. RC PAPER DRYER: Paper loaded into the RC dryer must be 8x10 or larger and only RC paper – no fiber paper.  Anything smaller will jam the machine.  If a jam occurs, turn off the dryer and inform a monitor immediately. Dry prints also get stuck on the rollers. Please make sure your print is damp enough to go through the dryer.

**FOR COLOR CLASSES**

1. PRINTING: Please attach the lens board gently but tight enough to the enlarger so as not to damage the enlarger or to risk the lens falling out.

2.     COLOR PROCESSOR: Paper loaded into the color machine must be 8x10 or larger. Anything smaller will jam the machine. If you think the color machine has jammed, please inform a monitor immediately.

3. PAPER SAFE BOXES: Return paper safe boxes to your enlarger station when you are finished with them. They cannot be left on the color machine or in the print finishing area.

4. ENLARGER KITS: All kits include a grain focuser, a lens, and a negative carrier. Remember to put all your items in the kit before returning it.

**FOR DIGITAL CLASSES**

1. PRINT STATIONS: There are currently 6 digital print stations. Room 201 has two stations: two iMacs with an Epson P800 printer and two 12x17” flatbed scanners.  Room 206 has one stations: one iMac with an Epson p800. The main Darkroom area has three stations: two iMacs with an Epson P800 printer and one 8x10” scanner and one iMac with an Epson R2880 printer. 
2. PRINTING: All computers are password protected and we keep all of the mice in the Cage. To use a print station, bring your ID to the Cage and a monitor will give you a mouse and log you in. If you find any problems with the printers or scanners, including low ink, please report it to a monitor immediately.
3. INK AND PAPER: Ink is supplied by the Darkroom, but you must bring your own paper. Inkjet photo paper is the only paper allowed (Epson is the preferred brand with our printers). Absolutely no plain printer paper.