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.

[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.

[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....

[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....

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.