Remember Negatives? Develop Them At The New Gowanus Darkroom

For anyone who’s interested in exploring photography beyond snapping selfies on their phone, the new Gowanus Darkroom may be just the ticket. Just launched at 160 7th Street, Suite 212, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, the new space is a community-oriented darkroom, where neighbors can use traditional equipment to develop film and print photos, and where you’ll be able to see the work of photographers on display.

Rachel Jun, one of the co-owners of the space, tells us the decision to open a darkroom came from a general lack of places out there like this.

“I know how limited resources are for those interested in film photography and how difficult and expensive it is to produce work,” she says. “My partner Jonathan and I are both passionate about analog photography and wanted to bring it to the Gowanus community.”

Though some of us may remember loading film into cameras, it’s no secret that digital cameras have taken the place of that for most casual photographers. But Jun says there’s something special about analog that just can’t be replicated with the new technology.

“I think learning the ‘behind the scenes’ part of photography helps teach you about the subtlety of light and how to manipulate it,” she says. “The result is a warmth and intimacy that is unmatched by digital photography.”

Whether or not you’ve ever rolled up your sleeves to slosh prints around in fixer, the Gowanus Darkroom will provide an opportunity to give it a go now. You don’t need experience — they’ll be offering beginners and advanced classes, as well as ones on alternative processes — but for those who do know what they’re doing, you can either sign up to use the space by the hour, or register for a membership. They currently have enough enlarger stations where up to nine people can print at once, as well as all the materials needed to process your own black and white film — though you’ll need to provide your own paper. There’s also a film scanner and printer for those interested in printing their negatives on a 48-inch printer, and they’ll have an 8×10 mural printing station in the darkroom and lighting studio rentals in the future.

The space will also serve as a venue for work by artists who are using the darkroom.

“We plan on having a photography exhibit once a month for our members to participate in,” Jun says. “I think it’d be great to know that all the artwork at the show was actually made right here in our studio. Any photographers interested in becoming a member of our studio are invited to participate in the show.”

Jun says the neighborhood they’ve set up in isn’t just great for the studio, but for venturing around to shoot photographs, as well.

“Personally, I love finding new spots that feel undiscovered. Gowanus has plenty of nooks and dark corners to explore,” she says. “Jonathan agrees, and will photograph almost anywhere on a cold snowy night, where normally busy streets look desolate and abandoned. I love the quiet, solitary feeling and the contrast from the industrial hustle and bustle.”

You can snap a few photos of you own on your way to check out the space in person during their grand opening party, coming up this Friday, February 13 from 6-9pm. You can explore the darkroom, enjoy some art from local photographers, and have a drink with neighbors who you might run into again at an enlarger in the future.

“We hope our neighbors can look at us as a community, and come here to learn from each other and expand their own practices,” Jun says.