FAQ
What time do you open?
We have different hours depending on the time of year. Our current times are displayed in the left hand column.
Where can I park?
Paid parking is available across from the Menschel Media Center at Marion Lot and Booth Garage.
What comes with my Community Darkrooms membership?
You get access to our whole facility—from the black-and-white darkroom to the color processor to our state-of-the-art digital lab. If you aren’t sure how to use a particular piece of equipment, we’ll show you how.
Membership entitles you to significant discounts on digital prints and workshop fees, as well as other services. Also, year membership holders have access to the labs during semester and holiday breaks (please call us for the latest schedule).
What is supplied at the Darkrooms?
In the black-and-white lab we have all chemistry for developing film and making prints as well as lab towels and pressurized air. For color work, we have color viewing filters and a daylight-balanced viewing station. In the digital lab, computers are equipped with the latest imaging software. If we are making a digital print for you, you can choose from these papers. If you are printing on the Epson 4800, you must supply your own paper.
What do I need to bring with me?
Film, paper, and matt board are not supplied. Also bring CDs or other media for taking your digital work with you when you leave; the computers are cleared regularly, and you will lose work that is left there. CDs can also be purchased at the Darkrooms.
Where can I get photo supplies?
MQ Camera Center
mqcameracenter.com
226 Hawley Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13203
(315) 471-3103
Ra-Lin
www.ralins.com
625 Burnet Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13203
(315) 472-7872
Hendrick’s Photo Supply
www.hendricksphotosupply.com
221 Walton Street # 1
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 475-0141
North Plaza Camera Shop
www.npcamera.com
115 Lawrence Road East
Syracuse, NY 13212
(315) 454-4171
I need to have a print made from my digital file. How can I do that?
You can submit a file online for us to print for you. Just give us a call (315-443-2450) when you’re ready to send the file. Or you can drop off the file in person. If you want to make the print yourself, call us for a reservation to use our Epson 4800 printer.
Do I need to reserve any of the equipment if I want to use it?
Please call us to reserve shooting time in our lighting studio or if you want to use our Imacon scanner or Epson 4800 printer.
I don’t understand how my digital camera works. Can you help me figure it out and take better pictures?
We can usually troubleshoot on-the-fly questions pretty quickly. If you want to really learn how to make the most of your camera from the ground up, you should register for one of our workshops held three times a year. Or, we also offer mentoring services for in-depth, one-on-one instruction.
What else can I do at CD?
We hold a number of special events throughout the year, from guest lectures to openings for exhibitions organized through Light Work. Sign up for our e-mail list and we’ll send you a quick mail every month to keep you up to date on what’s going on at the Darkrooms.
Can I show my work at Community Darkrooms?
We have an online gallery for our workshops, and we’re working on an online gallery for members. We periodically schedule exhibitions in the Community Darkrooms hallway gallery. Let us know if you’re interested.
Do you have any workshops or classes that I can take with my children?
Check our online course catalog for the latest workshop listings. Many of our offerings are an ideal way for families and groups of friends to explore photography.
Is Community Darkrooms wheelchair accessible?
We offer a wheelchair accessible enlarger and wash sink in our black-and-white darkroom. The digital lab is also wheelchair accessible. The Menschel Media Center is wheelchair accessible at its north-west entrance.
