Illford Photo: Defend The Darkroom

[David Spivak-Focus Magazine]

I received this press release today...thought it might interest some of you here...


ILFORD PHOTO ANNOUNCES UK CAMPAIGN TO ‘DEFEND THE DARKROOM’
*Leading monochrome specialist reaffirms commitment and backing for traditional photography

ILFORD PHOTO has launched a campaign to enhance the position, standing and future of the darkrooms in the United Kingdom and to safeguard associated creative techniques. Inspired by those involved in the analogue photographic industry, from manufacturers to the media, the campaign is designed to be a vehicle to establish a new future for darkroom photography.

By inspiring a new generation of darkroom users, raising the profile of darkrooms on the photo-education agenda and redefining the relationship between analogue and digital photography, ‘Defend the Darkroom’ will establish a new direction for photography. The campaign will inspire a new mindset that will unlock the latent potential of photography’s heritage to inspire a bold future of innovation, creativity and diversity.

Howard Hopwood, marketing director at ILFORD PHOTO commented:
“Interest in darkroom photography isn’t waning, but it is certainly being neglected by various parties. Our campaign is a watershed moment for the industry, designed to inspire a future of photography that reflects the coexistence of digital and darkroom technology.”

The campaign will take many forms and is essentially an ever-evolving project to bring the world of darkroom photography to the attention of the digital generation and inspire new ideas, new enthusiasm and new skills amongst a new breed of photographers.

Howard Hopwood, added:
“For too long now, darkrooms have been slipping down the agenda of educational institutions, regardless of continued support from photo-educators and those responsible for establishing the photo-education curriculum. Our campaign will highlight these problems and make the case for darkroom education.”

During the fast-paced digital revolution, digital technology has been seen by some as a replacement for analogue technology – but through this campaign ILFORD PHOTO is keen to show how the two can coexist as complimentary creative art forms.

“Darkroom photography is not standing still. It is not a relic of a bygone era. It is very much a part of the evolving world of photography. Our campaign will educate new and existing darkroom photographers about the technological developments from manufacturers that are shaping the future of darkroom

“The signature of darkroom is the physical control over the image; the art of the developing process. Skill and creativity in the darkroom is as much a part of photography as the taking of the picture,” added Howard.

Initial initiatives for the campaign include:

1. Development of a Photo Instructor Newsletter for UK educational establishments.
2. A series of ‘Darkroom’ Master Class events to promote and inspire the creative process.
3. Continuing sponsorship of Redeye, a project funded by the UK’s Arts Council which provides a travelling darkroom to enhance awareness of black and white photography to schools, colleges, local arts groups and the like.
4. Sponsorship of talented students to support and promote darkroom enthusiasts.

New initiatives will be announced on a regular basis all under the ‘Defend the Darkroom’ banner.

Already ILFORD PHOTO has invited twenty of the most highly regarded photography educators in the United Kingdom to the HARMAN technology headquarters in Mobberley, Cheshire, to highlight the campaign and learn about the latest advances in traditional photography. The event was organised by ILFORD PHOTO alongside Key Photo, the leading supplier of photographic products to education and the public sector. A key focus of the two-day tour and conference event was how the merger of darkroom and digital technologies is influencing a ‘new world’ of photography shaped by the coexistence of analogue and digital technology.

Matthew Finn, photography lecturer at Thames Valley University in the UK commented on the day:
“Since visiting HARMAN I can see they are committed to keeping black and white photography alive and it is up to me and other photo-educators across the country to also make sure it remains a widely used medium and not just a mere specialist niche interest.

“If this was to happen photography would lose an entire dimension. I support ILFORD PHOTO’s campaign to communicate the dangers of losing darkrooms, and the consequences of neglecting analogue photography.”

ILFORD PHOTO believes that analogue and digital photography should have an equal standing in the photographic arena. By lobbying for equal recognition in generic industry debate and discussion, the campaign will help analogue photography and darkroom photographers to gain the recognition they deserve.

[domenico Foschi]

That is wonderful news.
Thank you for posting this,
Domenico

[Glenn Thoreson]

Are they planning any programs for the U.S. and other countries?

[Merg Ross]

I was unaware that the darkroom needed defending, or how doing so will "establish a new direction for photography".

However, if Ilford is commited to producing their fine silver products, that is welcome news.

[tim atherton]

I was unaware that the darkroom needed defending, or how doing so will "establish a new direction for photography".
.

Not sure about the second part, but on the first, if any high school or college which has an existing darkroom (and the majority do) goes through a major renovation, there is a good chance the darkroom will be cut from the programme

Even without major renovation, there's a reasonable chance the darkroom will be closed and converted to something else. You can pick up revolving darkroom doors at school board and government surplus sales for $20 quite frequently, along with enlargers and all sorts of darkroom stuff. At the University here, the University Photographer happened across this by chance and rescued more than a truck load of darkroom gear from a couple of dumpsters

And any such institution being built from new may well be built without a darkroom now.

[Andrew O'Neill]

Are they planning any programs for the U.S. and other countries?

The photography teacher at my high school (BC, Canada) invited the Ilford Canada rep to chat and to see his program (we have a full on darkroom and a great photography program)...anyways, she told us about this initiative by Ilford. We really couldn't see any direct benefits for high school programs...Photo Instructor Newsletter? There are many, many websites already devoted to photography lesson plans for teachers.
What would really help schools is a generous cut in the price of paper and film. We asked for this but the best Ilford would do was offer a student pack of 25 sheets and a roll of HP5.
There was a huge opportunity there for them but they missed the boat.
If this initiative is coming to Canada, I'm sure it'll go below the 49th...unless it's only for Common Wealth nations....:D

[Kirk Gittings]

Not sure about the second part, but on the first, if any high school or college which has an existing darkroom (and the majority do) goes through a major renovation, there is a good chance the darkroom will be cut from the programme

At the universities I have contact with, I have seen wet darkroom space cut down, but not cut out.

[davidb]

UNM has had some major changes.

The private darkrooms are being converted to private computer labs.

The color print processor (dry to dry in 3.5 minutes) has been removed.

The lab was open 9am - 10pm Sunday through Thursday and 9-5 on Friday and Saturday is now open 9-5 seven days a week. No night hours.

[tim atherton]

At the universities I have contact with, I have seen wet darkroom space cut down, but not cut out.

most universities with art departments still seem to have them on the whole(and most of them are pretty large institutions) , but it's more the community colleges and technical colleges where they were used for technical courses or evening classes (and accessible by others in the community) that seem to be losing them faster

The one I mentioned previously with the dumpster was the darkroom and lab used by a variety of users and different departments - engineering and such. I think the art dept still has one (although there is no art photography programme it has one of the major print making programmes - they do a bit of photography...)

[tim atherton]

BTW, I was just in our main film and chemical supplier - even last year, they stocked up on darkroom supplies and even 4x5 b&w film for the start of the school/academic year (we have one major university - about the same size is UNM as I recall, a major technical and trade school and a second polytechnic/college as well as several loosely affiliated colleges).

This year what is needed has dropped by over a third so far. The tech school and polytechnic/college both had a variety of photography programmes which used to have people starting off with film - apparently that no longer seems the case.

[SamReeves]

All I can say is good luck convincing the dean and leaders of colleges. I worked in education and the traditional process is a hard sell on the brass. Before I left the place I worked, they did get dough to renovate their darkroom. That was the good news. The bad news is that their budget was slashed and there was no money leftover to fill it with any toys.

The upshot is if you like the darkroom, be prepared to do it at home. :(

[Sylvester Graham]

I can't wait until ten years from now... when every other traditional manufacturer of any sort has dropped out of the game, and ilford is the only one supplying anything. Good times.

[Nate Battles]

The college I went to cut their darkroom two years ago and is stricly digital. Granted it wasn't much of a darkroom, but it's still a little sad. Good news like Tim said, you can find great deals on darkroom equipment :).

[perspexart]

I received this press release today...thought it might interest some of you here...


ILFORD PHOTO ANNOUNCES UK CAMPAIGN TO ‘DEFEND THE DARKROOM’
*Leading monochrome specialist reaffirms commitment and backing for traditional photography

ILFORD PHOTO has launched a campaign to enhance the position, standing and future of the darkrooms in the United Kingdom and to safeguard associated creative techniques. Inspired by those involved in the analogue photographic industry, from manufacturers to the media, the campaign is designed to be a vehicle to establish a new future for darkroom photography.

By inspiring a new generation of darkroom users, raising the profile of darkrooms on the photo-education agenda and redefining the relationship between analogue and digital photography, ‘Defend the Darkroom’ will establish a new direction for photography. The campaign will inspire a new mindset that will unlock the latent potential of photography’s heritage to inspire a bold future of innovation, creativity and diversity.

Howard Hopwood, marketing director at ILFORD PHOTO commented:
“Interest in darkroom photography isn’t waning, but it is certainly being neglected by various parties. Our campaign is a watershed moment for the industry, designed to inspire a future of photography that reflects the coexistence of digital and darkroom technology.”

The campaign will take many forms and is essentially an ever-evolving project to bring the world of darkroom photography to the attention of the digital generation and inspire new ideas, new enthusiasm and new skills amongst a new breed of photographers.

Howard Hopwood, added:
“For too long now, darkrooms have been slipping down the agenda of educational institutions, regardless of continued support from photo-educators and those responsible for establishing the photo-education curriculum. Our campaign will highlight these problems and make the case for darkroom education.”

During the fast-paced digital revolution, digital technology has been seen by some as a replacement for analogue technology – but through this campaign ILFORD PHOTO is keen to show how the two can coexist as complimentary creative art forms.

“Darkroom photography is not standing still. It is not a relic of a bygone era. It is very much a part of the evolving world of photography. Our campaign will educate new and existing darkroom photographers about the technological developments from manufacturers that are shaping the future of darkroom

“The signature of darkroom is the physical control over the image; the art of the developing process. Skill and creativity in the darkroom is as much a part of photography as the taking of the picture,” added Howard.

Initial initiatives for the campaign include:

1. Development of a Photo Instructor Newsletter for UK educational establishments.
2. A series of ‘Darkroom’ Master Class events to promote and inspire the creative process.
3. Continuing sponsorship of Redeye, a project funded by the UK’s Arts Council which provides a travelling darkroom to enhance awareness of black and white photography to schools, colleges, local arts groups and the like.
4. Sponsorship of talented students to support and promote darkroom enthusiasts.

New initiatives will be announced on a regular basis all under the ‘Defend the Darkroom’ banner.

Already ILFORD PHOTO has invited twenty of the most highly regarded photography educators in the United Kingdom to the HARMAN technology headquarters in Mobberley, Cheshire, to highlight the campaign and learn about the latest advances in traditional photography. The event was organised by ILFORD PHOTO alongside Key Photo, the leading supplier of photographic products to education and the public sector. A key focus of the two-day tour and conference event was how the merger of darkroom and digital technologies is influencing a ‘new world’ of photography shaped by the coexistence of analogue and digital technology.

Matthew Finn, photography lecturer at Thames Valley University in the UK commented on the day:
“Since visiting HARMAN I can see they are committed to keeping black and white photography alive and it is up to me and other photo-educators across the country to also make sure it remains a widely used medium and not just a mere specialist niche interest.

“If this was to happen photography would lose an entire dimension. I support ILFORD PHOTO’s campaign to communicate the dangers of losing darkrooms, and the consequences of neglecting analogue photography.”

ILFORD PHOTO believes that analogue and digital photography should have an equal standing in the photographic arena. By lobbying for equal recognition in generic industry debate and discussion, the campaign will help analogue photography and darkroom photographers to gain the recognition they deserve.



nice thread man

thanks for the news

-----------------------------------------------------
Canvas Print
http://www.fruit-art.co.uk

[JonathanPerkins]

Just to add a bit of optimism here, my son Tom (aged 16) is just starting his A-level courses at a sixth form college (ages 16-18) in Cambridge U.K. and they have a very well equipped darkroom, including a 5x4 colour enlarger. The majority of their photography work is traditional film and darkroom, with only a little digital & photoshop.

Tom's not doing photography A-level, but still has chance via one of the "enrichment" courses to use the facilities, and they are very happy for him to use his large format camera.

This may be an isolated instance, but at least in one UK school the students are being actively encouraged to use film and develop their darkroom skills.

Jonathan

[Jan Pedersen]

I can't wait until ten years from now... when every other traditional manufacturer of any sort has dropped out of the game, and ilford is the only one supplying anything. Good times.

I hope were being sarcastic with this statement? That's a pretty singleminded way of looking at the current state of traditional print making.

[Sylvester Graham]

I hope were being sarcastic with this statement? That's a pretty singleminded way of looking at the current state of traditional print making.


Sarcastic? Yes of course, a bit. But "singleminded" as well.

Although, I have to say... we're not talking about a religion here. We're not talking about some impending doom that's going to ruin all of our lives. We're talking about the production of THINGS. Who cares if I have an open mind or not, the conclusion of this ever-stupefying argument will eventually come round through facts.

I really, REALLY, don't want to have anything to do with the digital VS. traditional argument, I doubt I can add anything new and we've all heard every part of it before. But sooner or later people need to face the facts that traditional no longer has an edge in terms of practicality when compared to digital. Aesthetic (for artists), yes. Useful to the working imaging professional, no. That doesn't mean there's no market for it, but trying to re-inflate a sagging balloon, like Ilford seems to be doing, seems like a waste of time and money when they could be downscaling and settling into a long-term niche market. Something like where letterpress printing is today.

[Don Wallace]

I was unaware that the darkroom needed defending....

Universities and colleges with fine arts programmes seem to be keeping their darkrooms, even if they trim them a little. However, technical colleges, which were larger players than the art departments, are filling dumpsters quite quickly with darkroom equipment. I bought two enlargers, both of a quality that I could not have afforded 10 years ago (De Vere and Durst) for 50 bucks each, including Schneider and Rodenstock lenses.

Oh yah, they need defending.

[paulr]

the wave of universities ditching their darkrooms strikes me as odd. academia has always embraced the cutting edge, but it's also been a great bastion of historical methods. these same art departments teach lithography and charcoal drawing and stone sculpting!

i can understand the darkrooms shrinking, and maybe becoming "alternative" workspaces for advanced students, but it's surprising to see them vanish from so many institutions.

[davidb]

The UNM photo dept seems to be influx at the moment.

Photo 1 now consists of 8 weeks of photograms and pinhole and 8 weeks of digital.

I was told this is because the kids no longer have film cameras.

[Brian Ellis]

At the university where I taught a photography course in the fine arts college for a year (1999-2000) there used to be at least three darkrooms, one in the school of journalism, one in the student union for general student use, and one in the college of fine arts. The first two were eliminated right around the time I started. I don't know what happened to the one in the fine arts college. When I left it was still going but was facing a fight from other departements that wanted the space and the money. I think it's going to be a sad day for traditional darkroom printing equipment and materials if most high schools, tech schools, and colleges close their darkrooms. I think students are about the only single major customer group left for traditional darkroom stuff.

[Ted Felton]

All this talk about schools is interesting. I guess we're behind the times here in Arkansas. The community college where I teach photography just expanded the photography program. I just resurrected an unused darkroom so now we have two operating. The school also gave us extra money and bought us a new large-format camera plus other eqipment, and we took over three classrooms in order to expand; one for a new photo studio and two for painting and drawing.

[Nate Battles]

That's awesome! That same college I attended that expelled their darkroom was thinking about a new digital photography class. Get this, while my photo prof. was on sabbatical, he toured a few college photo programs. Some of these schools had completely switched to digital and were actually just emailing photos to the prof. and he would grade them and email them back. The class only met a couple times a semester! My prof. was really thinking of adopting this program, I tried to convince him that a photography class needs group critique. Well I don't know if he ever adopted that program or not, but it raises some interesting discussion.

[paulr]

... I tried to convince him that a photography class needs group critique. Well I don't know if he ever adopted that program or not, but it raises some interesting discussion.

photo class without a group critique sounds pathetic! why not just stay home and take a correspondence course?

[David Spivak-Focus Magazine]

Just as a follow-up to this, Ilford Photo seems to have some kind of new campaign that they want to launch. They recently contacted me to setup an appointment and have scheduled a meeting with me during PhotoPlus to talk to me about this new campaign. It sounds very exciting. I'm looking forward to meeting with their PR reps.

[Mark Sawyer]

As a high school photo teacher, I can offer the following: The state of Arizona changed its standards this year, mandating that all photography courses be digital. The amount of funding allocated to my program to make the change: $0.00.

As I have two older computers, two Rebel XT's, 5 digital point-and-shoots, one scanner and my own personal printer for five classes a day totallling 167 students, we're just keeping the darkroom going out of necessity. The kids don't mind; they sit at computers all day anyway...

BTW, at the high school level, the classes are classified as vocational, although more than 90% of the students are taking it for their fine arts credit. Pretty much a complete disconnect from reality...

[efsawyer]

GREAT.

Keepin' the Faith.

efsawyer

[CG]

the wave of universities ditching their darkrooms strikes me as odd. academia has always embraced the cutting edge, but it's also been a great bastion of historical methods. these same art departments teach lithography and charcoal drawing and stone sculpting!

i can understand the darkrooms shrinking, and maybe becoming "alternative" workspaces for advanced students, but it's surprising to see them vanish from so many institutions.

There's the appearance educational institutions have an impetus to go only to the cutting edge, where the "action" appears to be. Too much trendiness and too many educational fads. Look at the parade of ways math has been taught.

C

[Andrew_4548]

It's great news from Ilford and let's hope it spills over out of just the college arena into other areas. In my local camera club, there's only two out of approx 25 that are still using film and darkrooms. Talking to Richard Ross of RH Designs a while back when I bought some equipment, he was saying that the UK is one of the few places where there's been a massive shift over to digital for both the consumer and pro end so it's become a marketing man's dream location for new / updated / whizzbang electronic "toys." Whereas places like the States are still heavily into the darkroom and film usage.

Let's see if I can find anything out at the upcoming Focus on Imaging show in February...

[Wayne]

As a high school photo teacher, I can offer the following: The state of Arizona changed its standards this year, mandating that all photography courses be digital.

Say what? And why??


Wayne

[Clay Turtle]

As a high school photo teacher, I can offer the following: The state of Arizona changed its standards this year, mandating that all photography courses be digital. The amount of funding allocated to my program to make the change: $0.00.

BTW, at the high school level, the classes are classified as vocational, although more than 90% of the students are taking it for their fine arts credit. Pretty much a complete disconnect from reality...
Having people in Arizona involved with education, I am really sorry to hear that news.
Oh, well the old hard sell tactics to sell the "DiGiTAL AGE", promoting what you want to sell via any misconception available. As with all things, both have positive & negative attributes, the real (significant) aspect is to understand these differences to make the best choice to effectly meet the (need) criteria.
WONDER WHAT CRITERIA they have in these actions?

[Noeyedear]

The photography teacher at my high school (BC, Canada) invited the Ilford Canada rep to chat and to see his program (we have a full on darkroom and a great photography program)...anyways, she told us about this initiative by Ilford. We really couldn't see any direct benefits for high school programs...Photo Instructor Newsletter? There are many, many websites already devoted to photography lesson plans for teachers.
What would really help schools is a generous cut in the price of paper and film. We asked for this but the best Ilford would do was offer a student pack of 25 sheets and a roll of HP5.
There was a huge opportunity there for them but they missed the boat.
If this initiative is coming to Canada, I'm sure it'll go below the 49th...unless it's only for Common Wealth nations....:D

I would think if they could supply materials cheaper they would. I can't think there is much profit in film paper and chemicals these days. The big savings for those that want to set up a darkroom are in the secondhand gear that can be picked up for scrap value, that's why I nave two Durst 5x7 floor standing enlargers now.
My daughters boyfriend just bought a Bronica off the bay, he wants to shoot film.
The kids are interested in film now, in fact some think they discovered it.

Kevin.

[Robert Hughes]

If Ilford or Kodak want to get back in the game with the next generation, they need to take the marketing lead of Apple Computers. Apples are desired by all students because Apple has been working the educational market forever. My daughter & I went to a public high school open house last night, where we were informed that every student would be issued a Mac Book - too bad she'd just bought her own, heh.

[Drew Wiley]

Some of the art programs around here now teach digital only, and some teach both.
The problem with getting employment, however, has more to do with versatility and
people skills than a single line of technique. An assistant of mine who could draw, print
reasonably in the darkroom, understood Photoshop, and was good at schmoozing with
fatcats got a top adv position at 200K a year. His multi-media portfolio unlocked the
doors. By contrast, there are thousands of people in this area who are experts in PS;
students in particular are lucky to get any job right out of school. Proof of flexibility is
a major asset to the corporate hiring mentality. Computer skills alone aren't enough;
and everyone around has a digital camera (except for me - I'm still waiting for a
digital darkcloth!). Failing to offer traditional technique in art school is about as smart, in my opinion, as the high schools cancelling vocational shop programs. I don't
personally care what other people choose; but there's nothing like a shoot-it-then-
print-it regimen to help develop visualization skills which remain valid even as the
technology behind graphics or advertising employment steadily evolves.

[Robert Hughes]

I'm still waiting for a digital darkcloth!
What a great idea! Black with white 1's and 0's on it - of course reversible... LFPHOTO.INFO could market these to all us photo Luddites that are behind the curve! :D

[Brian Ellis]

I would think if they could supply materials cheaper they would. I can't think there is much profit in film paper and chemicals these days. The big savings for those that want to set up a darkroom are in the secondhand gear that can be picked up for scrap value, that's why I nave two Durst 5x7 floor standing enlargers now.
My daughters boyfriend just bought a Bronica off the bay, he wants to shoot film.
The kids are interested in film now, in fact some think they discovered it.

Kevin.

Actually film and paper are potentially very profitable. There's little money being spent on research, little money on advertising and promotion, they've recouped the cost of factories and equipment long ago, basically other than the cost of labor, repairs, and materials it's all profit. If you look at Kodak's K-1s filed with the SEC you see that Kodak is losing its rear end on digital and making big money in traditional stuff. They don't give a sufficiently detailed statement to know exactly what is included in "traditional" but it clearly includes film and paper, I'm just not sure what else is in there.

[Bruce Watson]

This thread dates back a couple of years now. Has something new happened? Else, why resurrect this thread?

[Sal Santamaura]

This thread dates back a couple of years now. Has something new happened? Else, why resurrect this thread?Because, if someone wishes to discuss a subject already in the database, it's more appropriate to use an existing thread than start a duplicate one.

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showpost.php?p=541314&postcount=141

[Kirk Gittings]

Some of the art programs around here now teach digital only, and some teach both.
The problem with getting employment, however, has more to do with versatility and
people skills than a single line of technique. An assistant of mine who could draw, print
reasonably in the darkroom, understood Photoshop, and was good at schmoozing with
fatcats got a top adv position at 200K a year. His multi-media portfolio unlocked the
doors. By contrast, there are thousands of people in this area who are experts in PS;
students in particular are lucky to get any job right out of school. Proof of flexibility is
a major asset to the corporate hiring mentality. Computer skills alone aren't enough;
and everyone around has a digital camera (except for me - I'm still waiting for a
digital darkcloth!). Failing to offer traditional technique in art school is about as smart, in my opinion, as the high schools cancelling vocational shop programs. I don't
personally care what other people choose; but there's nothing like a shoot-it-then-
print-it regimen to help develop visualization skills which remain valid even as the
technology behind graphics or advertising employment steadily evolves.

In my somewhat limited experience, its the art programs that are still offering both traditional and digital options whereas the tech schools are just down to digital.

[Drew Wiley]

Kirk - the largest program in our neighboorhood here is CCA in SF, which I have a high
opinon of because the instructors are all people actually succesful in the business
aspect of what they teach. But they teach only digital now, whereas UCB pushes film
quite heavily in the Arts Dept, and even teaches 4x5 use. For some reason I run into
a lot of these students or they get referred to me with questions. It seems that a lot
of them are intested in film on the side and are trying to make up for a shortfall in the
educational system itself. Also there seems to be a strong tradition around here in
which film and darkroom are still identified with fine art - the lasting legacy of AA, the
Westons and the many others who still define the West Coast school of photography,
of which I am perhaps identified too. As I've mentioned before, around here if you're
out on the trail with a view camera and tripod, folks treat you with respect. They don't
walk in front of you without asking. By contrast, if you're out with a Nikon or DLSR
you get sneered at. Probably that's just a local phenomenon - though it applies to the
high Sierra too and some of the other wilderness areas - but I find it informative.