WELCOME TO VALE OF YORK DARKROOMS
Vale of York Darkrooms opened in April 2010, run by Peter Heaton, an Artist and Lecturer with more than twenty five years experience of working in the photographic medium.
Recent years have seen a tremendous rise in digital photography, but there is still a keen and growing interest in the art of traditional ‘film based’ photography, especially the ‘classic’ look and feel of black and white images. The art of darkroom / chemical developing and printing calls for a far more involved and personal interaction to produce an end result. It is a process with the emphasis firmly on a mix of creative and technical skills; a process which is often said to have something magical about it, and which rewards the time and attention spent on it with a feeling of satisfaction and achievement.
The darkrooms are situated ten miles north of York on the outskirts of the village of Stillington. Located in beautiful countryside on the edge of the Howardian Hills.
The Vale of York itself lies between the Dales and the Moors. The area is rich in historic buildings, Castle Howard, Nunnington Hall, Duncombe Park, Rievaulx and Byland abbeys all being situated less than fifteen miles away, as are the market towns of Helmsley, Easingwold, Malton and Thirsk.
COURSES
The darkrooms offer a varied range of Black and White photographic courses throughout the year. These are suitable for beginners through to the more experienced photographer, and cover traditional and experimental techniques.
The black and white darkroom is also available for hire to both groups and individuals.