It’s getting increasingly difficult to find good black and white printers – I mean people who stand in darkrooms with their fingers in chemicals, not plastic boxes that sit on your desk. I have used Robin Bell in Fulham, who is of course great, but I could really do with someone more close by. In Valencia for instance.
What happened to all those people who spent their lives producing good B&W prints? Have they all retired?
Good question Paul. I’m still too young to retire but in answer to your question, digital killed all that. I still miss printing up my own mono and colour images on the Leitz Focomat though. I’d print up to 20 12″x16″ prints from an assignment, then drive them the 180 mile round trip to The Guardian’s office in London. The good old days!
So what did you do with the darkroom John? Did everything vanish down the eBay pipe, or is it still in some unused and cobwebbed wing of Robertson Towers, awaiting the great day when the Heyward decide to mount a retrospective and want original prints?
My current problem is I think I’ve found a good venue for an exhibition in Valencia, but I need to get some prints made. I’m having real problems finding someone with the kit and the knowledge. I really don’t want to print in London, but I might have to.