About Darkroom

Welcome to Tallinn’s only contemporary darkroom, open 24/7 to everyone!

The dream of our darkroom’s creation is deeply rooted in the personal journey of our founder, Toomas Järvet. His studies in visual anthropology in Barcelona ignited a passion for analogue photography that he now shares with you.

Explore the possibilities of our darkroom and book a time for either independent or group work. If you have never encountered the world of analogue photography, our darkroom masters are ready to assist everyone.

What to expect?

Booking the darkroom includes the responsible use of all the tools and chemicals available in the darkroom.

You need to bring your photographic paper. However, if arranged in advance, you can purchase it at the Darkroom. Before your session, please ask what paper is available for purchase.

All the necessary equipment to develop and enlarge B&W film from 35mm and medium format up to 5 x 4’’

  • Enlargers:
    Durst Laborator 1200 CLS501,Durst M670 ja LPL Color C7700 
  • Estonian only MACO Ecomat dryer 50×60 cm for natural (fibre-based) photographic paper. Selection of trays for 35mm and medium-format film. Development tanks up to 50×60 cm. The wet and dry areas are well-equipped with all the necessary tools.
  1. Follow safety precautions when handling the chemicals by wearing proper protection and using special equipment and tools. Touching the chemicals with bare hands may harm your skin, spoil the photo, and contaminate the chemicals.
  2. Use a specifically designated trays, tanks and tools for handling different chemicals. Respect the labels on trays and tools.
  3. Leave the darkroom clean and tidy for the next booking.
  4. Always use tools according to the label, i.e. there are separate tools for different chemicals to avoid cross-contamination.
  5. Keep the dry working area dry. Anything wet, such as wet photos, trays, etc., should be kept away from the enlargers and dry workspace.
  6. Never mix or pour chemicals at eye level, as the splash can damage your eyes.
  7. Respect our no-food policy. Eating in the darkroom is violating the safety rules.
  8. Wash your hands after working in the darkroom.
  9. Do not allow other people into the darkroom without prior agreement.
  10. If something is broken, missing, leaking or there is something else that requires urgent attention, please contact us immediately by calling +372 50 10 777 or emailing pimik@dokfoto.ee

Remember that you are sharing this space. Be considerate of others, responsible for using the facilities, and aware that we must work together and do our parts to make this space function properly.

Prices

1 hour – 12 €

3 hour – 30 €

Starting from 4-hour session, every additional hour – 9 €

1 hour with instructor  juhendajaga – 50 €

Booking

Explorer
10 hours a month – 70 €

Friend
25 hours during 2 months – 150 €

Master
50 hours during 3 months – 250 €

Individual basic course
4 hours – 100 €

Basic course for a group (2-4 persons)
4 hours – 60 € /person

The booking is valid only after payment. You can pay for the darkroom booking by card or bank transfer.

For visitors

Telliskivi 60a/5, Ground Floor

Look at our location on Google Maps

Adults 7 €
Concessions* 5 €
Supporters’ ticket 15 €
Documentary Photo Club Membership 25 €

Both the Museum Card and the Tallinn Card are accepted at the Documentary Photo Centre.

Free admission is available to children and students up to 18 years old, members of the Documentary Photo Centre Club, visitors with disabilities and their companions, and war refugees.

*Discounted ticket (with relevant documentation): Full-time teachers and lecturers, university students, pensioners, conscripts of the Republic of Estonia, and members of the Documentalists’ Guild (based on a provided list).

Opening Hours:

Wed–Fri: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Sat-Sun: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Visits outside regular hours are possible for curator tours, school groups, group and private visits, special events, and more.

toomas@dokfoto.ee
ph: +372 5010777

Building of the darkroom and refurbishing the gallery of the Centre for Documentary Photography has been funded with support from the National Foundation of Civil Society and the Estonian Ministry of the Interior for 14 361.88 EUR

Back up

© Kõik autoriõigused kuuluvad Juhan Kuusi Dokfoto Keskusele ja lehel esindatud fotograafidele. Sellel lehel oleva info reprodutseerimine, säilitamine/salvestamine otsingusüsteemides või edasiandmine mistahes kujul või viisil: elektrooniliselt, mehaaniliselt, kopeeritult/paljundatult, salvestatult või teisiti, on keelatud autoriõiguse omaniku eelneva kirjaliku loata.