About this project

UPDATE: WE MADE IT! Hello and thanks for clicking in. We've met our goal! I am honored and excited to see that friends, family, coworkers and perfect strangers all wanted to be part of making this darkroom a reality. I can't say thanks enough to those of you that have supported me on this journey.

To all of you that have not pledged yet and were planning to (or just found the project)... Please still pledge! There are plenty of awesome rewards to be had and your support would still mean a lot to me personally. I want you all to be part of making this real. Even $1 pledges get you access to updates and the "freebies" I've posted for backers only. Plus there is still plenty more project beyond simply building the darkroom, and since when does construction stay in budget?

YOU GUYS ROCK...KEEP ON ROCKING!
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My name is Jamie. I am an artist and photographer and I make color photograms.

This technique has its roots in the beginning moments of photography. In fact the earliest photographic images made in 1800 were photograms so you might say they "kick-started" photography. In today’s digital world darkrooms are going the way of the Dodo. As a result photograms and other alternative process images are becoming harder to find and harder to make when they were once a common darkroom exercise.

A Photogram is created when an object is laid directly on light sensitive material, exposed to light and then developed. Since there is no camera or negative involved, having a darkroom is critical. So when the one I was renting closed earlier this year, I found myself without my most important tool and unable to continue my work.

I searched for other existing color darkrooms facilities to rent but I came up empty. Color was never as easy or cheap as B&W and so there just aren’t that many color facilities around anymore. Then I had the bright idea to build my own. That way I have a place to work and it puts a resource back into the community. In the future, I hope to offer workshops on experimental darkroom techniques to keep building interest and awareness about photography beyond the camera.

I’ve spent the last four months gathering the tools needed, researching and securing a room with electricity but I ran out of money before I could to take it to the next level - into a working facility.

This is how I found myself at Kickstarter asking for your help and support.

I’m trying to raise $7500 to cover the cost of the last 4 major hurdles:

Plumbing – Running water is a must for mixing chemicals, rinsing prints and clean up.

Ventilation – photo chemicals are toxic and so are their fumes. Fresh air is critical to keeping my brain cells intact.

Heating and air – temperature is important in color photography for storing and developing.

***The processor*** – this is the most important piece of the puzzle. Without this I can’t develop my images.

When you support this project there is an immediate return on investment. All backers will receive my deepest gratitude, credit on my website and updates as the project unfolds. I also have a range of rewards including YOUR PICK of my signed and matted original photograms. And for the big prize I’m offering custom 11 x 14 pieces. You’ll get to consult with me on the color scheme and the plant material resulting in a custom work of art just for you.

To see more of my work, learn about photograms and become a fan on Facebook please visit my website: www.BlueNandina.com.

I hope that you are as excited about photograms as I am and that you’ll give a little (or a lot) to support me and make this darkroom become a reality. THANK YOU!