Up next in our Community Focus series: we're in London with Rapid Eye, founded out of love for printing in 1996! Find out more below.

SECTION 1 - BACKGROUND

LET’S START EASY. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE DARKROOM, WHAT IT’S CALLED AND HOW IT STARTED.

Rapid Eye started in 1996 by Lee Williams, born out of a love for printing. I was printing myself with a small team for a few clients but I also loved hosting other printers and photographers. Eventually a small community started to form and we let out some of the darkrooms, added processing, started a cafe and that’s basically the short story of how we became what we are today.

building

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?

Shoreditch - 79 Leonard Street, London, EC2A 4QS.

WHAT FACILITIES DO YOU HAVE? HOW MANY ENLARGERS ETC.

I like to think we have something for everyone. It’s all split between four floors, in the basement we do C-41 and B&W dip and dunk processing, digital c-types and we have our staff darkrooms. The ground floor is home to our wet room which has a large sink and a 20” paper processor so people could do anything in there from RA-4 to almost any alt process you could think of. We can also offer B&W wet tray printing on fibre papers which has been exciting. The first floor is the dedicated rental floor, we have four darkrooms and scanner booths available to rent to the public, it's also where we do color and b&w printing workshops. The top floor has another five darkrooms that we let permanently to photographers whose practice really revolvers around printing in the darkroom. In total we have around forty enlargers, eight roller transport paper processors, three dip and dunks, there's a lot going on.

 

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF PRINTING TIP OR ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?

Overexpose your negs slightly and master the pre flash - Chris Cooke, Rapid Eye Printer.

WHO CAN USE THE SPACE?

Everyone is welcome. Photography and the love and passion for analogue film is so universal and that's what we're about.

enlarger

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY FOR PEOPLE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU?

support@rapideye.uk.com, 02077299292

WHAT CAN THEY EXPECT WHEN THEY VISIT AND DO THEY NEED ANY EXPERIENCE TO COME ALONG?

Everyone here is super friendly and there's a lot you can get involved with. We love hosting so you can expect hot coffee, good chats, a lot of expertise and knowledge to interact with. We even have a shower in the basement (not that anyone visiting might need it) lol! We do ask that people do a darkroom printing workshop before they rent a room solo.

dip and dunk room

DO YOU CHARGE A MEMBERSHIP OR ANY FEES?

Memberships are optional with lots of discounts to be had, free to students and disadvantaged. Darkroom rental is per whole day or half day and can include dedicated flat bed scanner use for a small fee . You can get 15% off if you get an eye deal which are available for unbooked rooms the day before.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE COME ALONG?

People across all levels come here and that's a big draw. You can learn something from anyone, it’s the diversity that people really benefit from. The more the merrier! We are a community where you can do your work to the highest standard in the best company.

Also as far as BW services go we have the whole shabang.

https://www.rapideye.uk.com/pages/b-w-services

AS THIS IS AN ILFORD INTERVIEW IT WOULD BE REMISS OF US NOT TO ASK ABOUT YOUR FAVOURITE ILFORD DARKROOM PRODUCTS.

We love all ILFORD products. Our biggest seller in the darkroom is Warmtone 12x16 paper matt and gloss in resin and fibre based. A firm favourite!

fridge full of paper

SECTION 2 - SHOUT OUTS

We all need a bit of inspiration and love so this is your chance to tell the community about yours – from the darkroom printers whose work inspires you, the labs you trust with your film, your ‘go to’ film photography stockists, your favourite community darkrooms or just anyone in the community who you feel deserves a special mention.

GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO YOUR PERSONAL FAVOURITE RETAILER.

Process supplies! We’re local and they have been around for a long time supporting labs and photographers.

shop floor

ARE THERE ANY DARKROOM PRINTERS THAT YOU ADMIRE?

All of them, it takes a lot of dedication and we salute you!

GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHY/DARKROOM YOUTUBE CHANNELS.

Don’t really know any.. Maybe we should make some : )

AND FINALLY…

NOMINATE ONE OTHER PERSON YOU THINK SHOULD FILL IN THIS FORM AND WE WILL REACH OUT TO THEM.

Community darkrooms seem to be popping up all over the place at the moment. It’s a great thing. We have been helping some of those who need it and ask! It’s hard to choose, but i should champion a ex employee Agnes Costa who set up her printing studio in Paris called Flou, however I just realised its colour only… another great energy is the guys at Take it Easy Lab in Leeds. They seem to have a good thing going on!