Darkroom safety

A darkroom raises two separate safety questions.

Light safety keeps photographic paper from being exposed before you intend it to be. Personal safety covers the risks of handling chemicals in a confined, dimly lit room. This guide covers both, and how to set a space up so neither becomes a problem.

Making the space safe

Start with the room itself, before light or chemicals. Keep the floor dry and uncluttered, and make sure the space is properly ventilated.

A well-organised darkroom prevents accidents. It is also a great deal more pleasant to work in for several hours at a stretch.

Tips for creating a safe workspace:

• Keep walkways clear of cables and equipment.
• Use non-slip mats if the floor gets wet.
• Designate specific areas for enlarging, developing, washing and drying.
• Make sure emergency exits or paths are clearly marked and accessible.
• Install proper ventilation to reduce the buildup of chemical fumes.

Light safety

Darkrooms are not completely dark. They are controlled spaces where light is managed carefully to avoid fogging photographic paper. Most black & white printing papers are sensitive to parts of the visible light spectrum, but not all. Safelights give enough light to work by, without damaging the prints.

Safelight basics

• Red safelights are safe for most black & white papers.
• Amber safelights suit many variable contrast papers too, and are brighter to work under.

Colour paper needs complete darkness. Orthochromatic film and paper can be handled under red light only. Always check the instructions for the paper you're using.

Testing your safelight

1. With the safelight on, put a sheet of paper where you work and lay a coin on it.
2. Leave it for as long as a print usually sits out, about 5 minutes.
3. Develop it as normal. If you can see the outline of the coin, the safelight is fogging the paper.

How do I make a room lightproof?

• Check for light leaks around doors and windows. Use blackout fabric or foam weather stripping to seal gaps.
• Sit in the room with the lights off for five minutes. Any light you can still see will fog paper.
• Avoid using reflective materials (like mirrors or glossy surfaces) near the enlarging area.
• Position safelights so they do not shine directly on your working surface.

Personal safety

Darkroom work means handling chemicals and moving around in low light. The materials are safe enough when treated properly, and the habits below keep them that way.

Common safety tips

• Always wear gloves when handling chemistry, especially when mixing concentrated solutions.
• Use tongs for print processing trays to avoid prolonged skin contact.
• Store all chemicals in clearly labelled, lightproof containers away from food and drink.
• Ensure good airflow to reduce inhalation of fumes. Open windows or install an extractor fan if needed.
• Clean up spills immediately, especially near electrical equipment.
• Keep a basic first aid kit in the darkroom and make sure everyone knows where it is.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke where chemicals are used.
• Keep all chemicals out of reach of children and pets.
• Wear eye protection when mixing concentrated chemicals.

Disposing of chemicals

Take used chemicals to your local Household Waste and Recycling Centre. Most have a cupboard for household chemicals such as paint and bleach, and photographic chemicals can go there too. Check your council's website for what your local centre accepts.

• Keep each chemical in its own labelled bottle. Never mix them for disposal.
• If your area has no such service, pour small amounts down the drain with plenty of water. Your local water company can tell you what it accepts.
• Never pour photographic chemicals into a septic tank. They can stop it working properly.
• Scrap film and paper can go in your normal household waste.

This follows Ilford's disposal advice for home users in the UK.

Taking the silver out of fixer

Used fixer carries dissolved silver. If it is going down the drain, you can take most of the silver out first with plain steel wool:

1. Collect used fixer in a labelled plastic bucket or tub with a lid.
2. Push in a pad of plain steel wool. Stainless steel wool does not work.
3. Leave it for several days to a few weeks. The silver swaps places with the steel and settles as a dark sludge on the wool.
4. Check with silver test strips, sold for this job, that no silver is left in the liquid.
5. Pour the liquid away with plenty of water, and put the dried wool and sludge in your general waste.

The liquid still contains fixer, so keep it away from food and pets until you pour it away.