If I build it, will they come?

[Luis-F-S]

If you enjoy the darkroom do it for yourself and if you get any B&D folks it's a plus. I had my darkroom in "storage" for 8 years when we moved to our new house 11 years ago. Then I told my wife that I wanted to build a darkroom and she said I'd never use it. I told her if it stayed in boxes I would surely never use it. So we made a compromise, she got a new closet, and I got a new darkroom. Never regretted the decision. L

[angusparker]

How do YOU feel about darkroom work? That's the only guarantee you've got, something you can fall back on. If you're not enthusiastic about it, how will it be a
magnet to others? But logistically, it sounds rather skimpy or under-equipped for a teaching or workshop environment.

I agree, either build it for yourself or make it expandable with workshops in mind. You will be marketing the local photographic opportunities and your skills in the darkroom. Alt Processes are a great addition although I think having the option of creating digital contact prints from either digital or analog source material is a must these days.

[Frank_E]

Is Photographers formulry still offering workshops? I attended a Daguerreotype workshop there in Montana back in 2006. There was a small dorm, maybe 6 rooms, meeting areas and a group darkroom with hugh lab sinks for conventional or alternate processing . An adjacent B&B offered three meals a day in a family-style dining room setting. Tthey also accommodated other craft workshops such as weaviln and quilting.Tried to find their website but maybe things have changed in ten years!

Photographers forumlary are still offering workshops and still have the same B&B arrangement I did a platinum palladium (with digital negatives) workshop with Kerik Kouklis last August. Great workshop. What I did hear in passing was that often workshops there can get cancelled because there isn't the minimum enrolment registered for a particular workshop but I have no idea what percentage that might be. I got the impression that there was less interest in traditional analog workshops and more interest in the type of workshop I did (i.e. various types of alternative process photography).

the web site to their workshops is linked below:

http://www.workshopsinmt.com

I plan to take Christina Anderson's Gum Bichromate workshop this coming August.

[LeeSimmons]

Hi BKP,

The west coast is a great part of the Canada and very inspiring for landscape photography. About 8 years ago I embarked on a "of the heart project" and in retrospect would definitely make a different choice.

I would look very closely at your business plan and and expected return.

Some food for thought. I have been rediscovering my love for analogue photography over the past few years. I shoot large format and develop my film. I then scan for digital output. While silver based output has definite craft appeal my main interest for analogue printmaking is in alternate processes.

I would be interested in Platinum workshops or the like. As previous posters have mentioned a digital neg opens up to all the digital shooters and a much larger market.

Good luck

[Jim Fitzgerald]

I will be offering Carbon workshops in Vancouver Washington once we get settled. I would suggest that you start with workshops and build from there.

[A_Tabor]

"At the edge of Civilization", just how far out is the location, and what is the transportation access like? What is it going to cost me and how long is it going to take to get to your location?

Is it a casual drive from a regional airport and up a decent highway to get there, or am I going to have to rent a 4x4 and pack camping gear for the three day drive up old dirt logging roads to get to your property, or maybe charter a helicopter (Which may or may not be able to make the trip in due to weather)?

Either option, and anything in between, does have a place in the market, but how you market will depend on where on that spread you're at.


Are there any other B&B or adventure tourism going in your area? A safer bet might be to build the darkroom mainly for yourself and your own uses, but with expandability and classes in mind, and then team up with existing tourism offerings. If you can prove there is a demand and people want to come for it, then consider expanding and directly offering accommodations for guests yourself. If you have the property to scatter small 1-2 room cabins around, ideally each with a view of something interesting out the front door, then you can build something that a lot of people would pay decent money to visit, even if they're not coming for photo related stuff.

[BKP]

Thank-you all, who have posted your honest comments. I feel honored to be part of such group. After reading many of your prompt replies, which all offer sound advice. I think I'll go ahead and finish it. More for personal use and perhaps someday one of you might come by for a visit. Main tourist attractions near by include: Telegraph Cove, whale watching(Orcas mainly) grizzly bear tours, Cape Scott Park. Salmon fishing in summer. Port Hardy is the nearest airport. Thanks for all your appreciated comments...bk

[cowanw]

Keep us informed please.

[Jody_S]

I have 20 yrs experience working in NYC in labs and studios.

I don't know how much the 'workshop' people make in any given year, but it's not peanuts. I think your idea only works if you have plans for solo and group workshops, 1-on-1 training or collaboration on printing, guided photo shoots with evening developing sessions, etc. And keep in mind your clientele is not necessarily the people on this forum. Perhaps you could reach out to a few people in other areas of NA and ask if they would care to share a few words on their business model?