Community Focus - Shoreditch Academy Posted On 7th October 2025 To Magazine & Community Focus
Let’s start easy. Tell us A little about the darkroom, what it’s called and how it started.
The darkroom is a central part of the activities of SAIM (The Shoreditch Academy of Image Making).
SAIM was established in 2020 as an independent photography school by its two founders Ian Jackson and Adrian Mott. Both with long careers as commercial photographers plus extensive experiences as postgraduate University teachers.
As a private London school SAIM’s unique offer is a permanent darkroom and studio facility available to students.
What is the best piece of printing tip or advice you have ever received?
- The 5 P,s ( Perfect Preparation Prevents Poor Performance)
- Test,test,test and more tests.
- Mark the back of your final print with a pencil to save confusion later.
- Make notes.
Where are you based?
We are based in Shoreditch, London.
The Shoreditch Academy of Image Making
Back Building
148 - 150 Curtain Road
London
EC2A 3AT
What facilities do you have? How many enlargers etc.
Darkroom with 5 enlargers 35mm to 5x7. Deep tank processing of 35mm, 120, 5x4, and 10x8.
Dry mounting press, Film drying cabinet. Print washing system.
Who can use the space?
Students part time of full time. Guests who have completed basic darkroom training.
What’s the best way for people to get in touch with you?
Via our website www.theshoreditchacademy.com
What can they expect when they visit and so they need any experience to come along?
We have evening darkroom sessions and some weekend sessions., Ideally all students should complete our basic darkroom introduction Including health and safety.
Do you charge a membership or any fees?
There are differing fees to cover training courses and darkroom use. Check out our website for more information.
Do you have any social media?
Instagram: @shoreditchacademy
Tiktok: @theshoredticacademy
Facebook: Shoreditch Academy of Image Making
Why should people come along?
We are fervent supporters of analogue photography and we are keen to support others in their exploration and development. Encouraging their experimentation.
Give a shoutout to your personal favourite retailer(s).
Process Supplies & Analogue Wonderland
Are there any darkroom printers that you admire?
Gene Nokom, Winston Link,Bob Carlos Clarke
Shoutout your favourite photography/darkroom YouTube channels.
Tim Layton & Naked Photographer
Nominate one other person you think should fill in this form and we will reach out to them.
Peter Smith (Tokyo)
As this is an ILFORD interview it would be remiss of us not to ask about your favourite ILFORD darkroom products.
Chemistry - ID 11, Perceptol,
Darkroom Papers - Multigrade Papers
Films - HP5+, FP4+ Delta Professional Films.
About The Author
Adrian Mott & Ian Jacko Jackson
Adrian Mott
Director / Photographer
Adrian has been in the photography business since 1969 over the years he has successfully run a number of photographic and creative businesses. As a professional photographer. He has worked with major international brands in fashion, architecture, advertising , magazines, newspapers, image libraries, book publishers.
His work has been published numerous times internationally and he often guest lectures around the world.
Adrian’s academic career covers more than 40 years.
30 years as a Senior lecturer and Course Director for University of the Arts London, writing and developing a series of courses including the MA in Commercial Photography and other post graduate courses. He has now retired from UAL to concentrate on the development of SAIM.
Ian Jacko Jackson
Director / Photographer
Born in Hull, England, in 1966, Ian J Jackson’s fascination with photography began when he picked up his first camera at the age of 12. Captivated as much by the ‘process’ of developing photographs, as taking pictures, his love of the dark room’ inspired him to pursue his passion for photography, first at the London College of Printing, then at St Martins School of Art.
In 1992, he set up his own ‘Cibachrome’ dark room in a studio in Shoreditch. Here he began to develop a unique extraverted photographic style – underpinned by his exceptional talent for transforming the everyday mundane into the unique combined with a skill for innovative image manipulation.