After many years of color in 2011 I have switched to the B&W. With Fred Newman’s help I calibrated my workflow. The negatives are looking great. I’m currently using 4x5 and 6x7 cameras and I’m really enjoying shooting. But I have no space to build my own darkroom, my L1200/ VLS501 combo is sitting in the basement together with other equipment (trays, easels, chemistry, bottles, etc.). Once for a while I take all this stuff to my kitchen and I’m working overnight. I know that work in the well build darkroom is pure joy but in my case it’s very painful experience. When I put together “kitchen conditions” and fact that I’m newbie in the darkroom… I want to throw all stuff trough my window.
One of my friends is photographer and printer (this is his job). His prints are truly amazing; I would have lock myself in the darkroom for the next 10 years to get to his level. Should I focus on making negatives and let him make the prints? How many of you are working in that way?