Personal Digital Darkroom

Why a digital darkroom?

First of all this is a misnomer. You actually don’t need a darkroom. All that you need to have is a space for a printer and if you’re still using film, a film scanner. You need not set aside a large chunk of your time in developing your pictures since color and tonal adjustments are simple and precise. Although there still are complexities in colors using digital printing unlike the black and white darkroom printing, the print output of this new process is fast approaching perfection and the quality is getting better.

The development of cheap digital cameras has made printing of pictures without the aid of PCs a possibility. Unlike the technique mentioned above which still use PCs to edit the images, printers like the Epson Stylus Photo 785EPX photo printer can produce good-quality digital photos without using computers. Printing is easy as you only need to insert the camera’s digital media card and presto you have your photo.

Why make your own prints?

• Control:you get exactly what you want
• Convenience:You don't have to take film to a shop, then return to pick it up, then make more trips for enlargements.
• Cost: Making your own prints is cheaper
• Quality: New printer models can make outstanding outputs

Of course the choice will ultimately be yours whether you opt to use PCs to edit your images or to print them directly. After all it will be your handiwork.