The darkroom at CHAW is the last community darkroom in the city of Washington, D.C. We offer regular drop-in hours and classes for black and white film development and printing. Come visit or inquire about usage at  photography@chaw.org

OPEN LAB SIGN UP

Sign up for an open lab session (only for darkroom users who have already completed an orientation at CHAW) 

FACILITIES

Monday-Thursday: 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Saturday: 9:00am-12:00pm

Orientation ($45) | Individual session ($20) | Scanning session ($10)|Current Photo Students (Free) 

For more information please contact: Olivia Weise at  photography@chaw.org

ORIENTATION

An initial orientation to cover general information and policies about space use and equipment is required before using the darkroom for open lab hours. This is not an instructional orientation, users must be familiar with general darkroom workflow and have adequate confidence in their darkroom skills to work in a community environment independently.

Fill out this form to inquire about orientation. The Photography Department will respond to orientation inquires within one week of receiving the completed form.

SCANNING SESSIONS

Here   is the link for the calendar to book a scanning only session.  Here are the scanner instructions. Scanning sessions are $10 with the expectation that you are NOT using the darkroom. If you have not done an initial orientation, email  photography@chaw.org. Scanning sessions for members are free. You must supply your own laptop and adapter if necessary for a USB 3.0 connection.

PRIVATE LESSONS:

Private lessons are available by request for all levels of students with Russell Barajas, Olivia Weise or other teaching artists. Lessons are $150 for 2 hours, or $125 each for a package of three lessons paid in advance. Please email  photography@chaw.org to arrange a private lesson.

Follow the CHAW Darkroom on Instagram:  @chawdarkroom.

If you are a current darkroom user with work you would like to showcase, you can submit a post for Instagram on  this form

FAQS

When is the darkroom open for open lab hours?

The darkroom is available for open lab Monday-Thursday 5:30PM-8:30PM and Saturday 9AM-12PM. If you have already completed an orientation at CHAW, you can sign up for an open lab session here. Our space is limited to four users at a time.

What is the orientation and why do I have to do an orientation before using the darkroom?

Orientation is a 30 minute overview of the CHAW darkroom space and guidelines. If you have specific questions about our equipment and facilities, this can be covered in orientation as well. Everyone is required to do one with the photography department chair to make sure our rules and systems are consistently communicated. 

Note: The orientation is NOT a darkroom lesson. If you have completed a darkroom class at CHAW, you still must complete an orientation before using the open lab hours.

How do I sign up for orientation?

Fill out  this form to inquire about orientation. The Photography Department will respond to orientation inquires within one week of receiving the completed form.

How do I sign up for orientation?

Fill out  this form to inquire about orientation. The Photography Department will respond to orientation inquires within one week of receiving the completed form.

I love film photography but do not have darkroom experience, how can I learn?

We offer monthly introductory darkroom seminars, which are published  here. If you complete the seminar, you can do an orientation with the photography department chair and then use the darkroom. You can also sign up for a private lesson (information above).

How can I find out when classes are posted?

If you would like to be informed when classes are posted, email photography@chaw.org to sign up for the email list. Classes are posted  here. 

The darkroom membership allows easier access to the darkroom at a lower cost than our single session open lab fee. Members receive a link to a subscribers-only booking calendar that allows them to book open lab sessions 30 days in advance of non-members.

General Info:

You will be charged on the day you sign up for the membership, automatically making you a member. You can start using your membership right away!

The membership fee is non-refundable. If you do not use all of your sessions, you still have to pay the fee.

You can pause your membership through PayPal if you don’t think you will use the darkroom for a month.

We can only process the subscription online through PayPal. Please email email  photography@chaw.org if PayPal is not an option for you.

DARKROOM EQUIPMENT

6 enlargers (various models that can accommodate 35mm, 120, and 4×5 film)

B&W Film Chemistry – All provided (EcoPro brand)

B&W Paper Chemistry – Stop Bath and Fixer only (Paper Developer not provided)

Two double sinks

Trays, tongs, measuring cups, thermometers

Negative carriers, contrast filters, easels, contact printers

Paper drying rack screens

Patterson and metal tanks and reels for processing film

Film changing room separate from main darkroom

Film drying cabinet

Large lightbox for viewing negatives

Updated January 2026