The Halide Project Darkroom User Agreement.

Effective March 31, 2022

Welcome to The Halide Project! The Halide Project Darkroom User Agreement describes the services, facilities, and responsibilities shared by any person who uses THP facilities and equipment for any reason (hereafter referred to as Darkroom Users). THP has volunteers on hand for questions and assistance, but THP Users are expected to operate equipment independently with minimal supervision. 

A Darkroom User is someone who has the general knowledge, skills, and aptitude needed to work independently in the lab space with reserved equipment while sharing  communal facilities, with minimal to zero assistance from THP Staff and/or volunteers. Minimal assistance is limited to:

●  Setting up enlargers for printing each format (swapping lenses, moving condensers)

●  Introduction to Gralab enlarging timers

●  Introduction to the Exposure Unit

●  Print drying and flattening assistance

If a Darkroom User requires assistance in the form of knowledge, skills, or aptitude not covered by minimal assistance, they must  cancel any Darkroom User reservation requests and  schedule a one-on-one tutorial.
A reservation is defined as a confirmed time slot held for a Darkroom User and a particular piece of equipment and/or allotment of space intended to be used during that time slot. A reservation does not include or allow a guest to  accompany the Darkroom User.
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Before entering THP, utilizing its equipment, services, and facilities, and/or engaging with THP, all Darkroom Users must agree to the following:

Policies and Protocols

Health Precautions


Due to COVID-19 and its variants, mask policies change day by day. For THP’s most up to date mask policy, please go to the website to confirm information as staff may change the policy at any time. Any person who enters our space for any purpose, MUST wear a face covering fitted properly, covering both the mouth and nose for their entire duration in the darkroom. Darkroom Users who arrive at the lab without a face covering, or refuse to wear one in a manner which covers their nose and mouth, will not be allowed to enter the lab space. There will be no more than 5 Darkroom Users in the lab space at a time. Social distancing of 6 feet is to be practiced when possible.

We value honesty and hope you will take your health and the health of our Staff seriously.

General Safety

THP is not responsible for any injury to Darkroom Users caused while in the lab. Trimmers, scissors, and Exacto knives have sharp blades—be careful and follow proper procedure during use! Water and chemistry sometimes spills on the floor and can be slippery. Proper ventilation is to be used at all times. Photographic chemistry can cause long-term health effects, and it is recommended that you take necessary cautions in protecting yourself during processing, printing, and paper coating. Please use the gloves and goggles provided. If you are unsure about a piece of equipment or proper operating procedures, please ask a volunteer or THP Staff member for assistance.

Cleaning Policy

A Darkroom User must relinquish their equipment/workstation when the reservation ends, and clean up after themselves. This includes putting all enlarging equipment back into their appropriate places, clean processing equipment into the dryer and/or drying rack, and spills wiped up . Please help us maintain a safe and clean work environment.

Community spaces

Production tables, viewing boards, and light tables are considered community spaces. At this time they are not reservable and are to be shared equally among community members, volunteers, and staff. Please be aware of the space you are taking up, and cooperate if you are asked to consolidate your materials.

Equipment Reservations

THP provides access to a wide range of equipment and reservations can be requested for increments of 2 hour blocks depending on the reservation start time pending equipment availability. At this time there is no upper limit of how long a Darkroom User can use the space. THP staff will use their discretion when extending Darkroom reservation(s) before or after the reserved time allotment.

When submitting a request to reserve a piece of equipment, the lab will assess the availability of that equipment for the date and time specified. THP reserves the right to cancel a reservation at any time due to, but not limited to, technical malfunction, power outage, and unforeseen circumstances, even if the reservation has already begun or has not yet completed.

If there's a specific piece of equipment or space you desire, please let us know on your reservation request form. THP reserves the right to adjust equipment availability without warning at the discretion of the organization.

Darkroom Reservation(s) start and end at predetermined times as determined by the reservation’s time-slot. At the end of night, lights will be turned on regardless of whether the Darkroom user has finished printing. Darkroom Users are responsible for time management during their reservation time-slot and THP is not responsible for errors, exposed paper or film, paper or film damage, print failure, scan failure, or drying failure associated with these shutdown procedures.

All reservations must be made via our online system and confirmed by THP via email prior to attendance. If a Darkroom User needs accommodation in making use of our online reservation platform, we will make those accommodations on a case-by-case basis. When a reservation is requested, it is intended for the Darkroom User named in the request and that Darkroom User alone. Reservations are not transferable and do not allow for the inclusion of guests. At this time, additional persons other than those listed as the Darkroom User in a given request must submit an additional Darkroom User request to be welcome in the lab space.

It is the responsibility of the Darkroom User to provide up to date contact information for all reservations. When making reservations, be sure to double check both the phone number and email listed so we are able to contact to confirm the reservation and reach out in the event that the reservation needs adjustment. Also ensure that the correct piece of equipment and the correct time slot for the reservation has been selected. If a reservation is incorrectly scheduled, whether it be for the time slot or reservation type, THP will not be able to accommodate the Darkroom User in gaining access to the lab space or having access to desired equipment.

Materials Policy

Darkroom Users must provide their own materials, including but not limited to: Negatives, Darkroom Paper, Alternative Processes chemistry and brushes/ coating rods, Negative Sleeves, and Archival boxes. Certain film and paper processing chemistry will be provided by THP, but are not guaranteed to be available or guaranteed to suit the specific needs of the Darkroom User. Darkroom users are welcome to bring their own materials, but must remove them at the end of their reservation. THP is not responsible for any materials left or forgotten in the space for longer than 24 hours. 

Fees and Discounts

Darkroom User Fee Breakdown

The Membership Fee is $15 a month for individuals. The hourly rate for Darkroom use is suggested $12, with a minimum or $5 an hour. This fee grants you access to the following equipment and services for the duration of your reservation:

  • 1 Enlarger Station or

    • Dektol or Sprint print developer, Sprint Indicator Stop Bath, Sprint Rapid Fix

    • Includes access to the ventilated sink, trays, tongs, vertical print washer, and chemistry associated with

    • 1 Microsight grain focuser, pencil, dodging and burning tools, and 6x6 Ilford Multigrade filters

    • A wide variety of lenses and negative carriers for film from 35mm  up to 4x5

    • A 11x14 Saunders easel, 8.5x11 Printfile contact proofer, and a variety of 16x20 and 20x24” easels

    • Drying screens, Omega Arkay drum dryer, and Seal heat press

  • 1 Film Processing Station or

    • Includes access to a variety of Paterson, Metal, Yankee, and Jobo tanks and reeks for film from 35mm  up to 8x10

    • HC110 Developer, Sprint Fixer, filtered water

    • Temperature controlled, ventilated sink, measuring and mixing equipment, beakers and thermometers

    • Archival washer for reels and sheet film

    • Drying cabinet

  • 1 Alternative Processes Station

    • Ventilated coating table with 20”x60” glass surface

    • Variety of brushes and glass rods for coating paper

    • Process-dedicated drying screens

    • 30x40”, 4 bay exposure unit with a variety of contact frames

    • Ventilated sink with process-dedicated trays for developing and fixing

Payment

THP requires that Darkroom Users remit payment in full for Darkroom fees and services at the end of a reservation. Our hourly rate is pay what you can on a sliding scale from $5 to $20. THP accepts cash, credit cards, Apple Pay, and checks at this time.

Policy Violations

User Agreement Violation Policy

THP and its Staff reserve the right to determine if and when any Darkroom User disregards these policies, as outlined in this agreement.

Darkroom Users found in violation of any part of the Darkroom User Agreement will first be given a verbal or written warning.

Further action will be taken in the event that THP Staff determines a Darkroom User continues to violate any part of the Darkroom User Agreement throughout the remainder of their reservation. In cases of any violation deemed excessive, THP Staff reserves the right to ask Darkroom Users to leave the premises. In the event a Darkroom User is asked to leave, the Darkroom User is still responsible for paying the full Hourly Rate or extraneous fees they’ve incurred. Additional steps, measures, or assessments may be required of a Darkroom User to regain access to THP in the event of violations of the Darkroom User Agreement deemed excessive by THP Staff.

Code of Ethics

The safety of THP Staff and community members is important to us. Physical, emotional, and mental harm and/or discriminatory practices by a Darkroom User will not be tolerated for any reason. If a THP Staff member determines a Darkroom User is causing harm or abuse to themselves, THP Staff, THP volunteers, and/or fellow Darkroom Users, THP Staff reserves the right to remove this Darkroom user from the space immediately and evaluate the health of the working relationship between THP and the Darkroom User prior to future reservation(s) being made. Some examples of harm or abuse are: inappropriate or aggressive language conveyed verbally or written, harassment, unwanted physical contact, unwanted sexual advances of any kind, and physical harm with the use of a weapon. If a Code of Ethics breach occurs, the Board of THP will be notified and an incident report approved by the Board will be kept on file. Additional steps, measures, or assessments may be required of a Darkroom User to regain access to THP’s facilities, services, and programs in the event of any breach of the Code of Ethics.

THP strives to maintain a safe and friendly environment for everyone within the space. All Darkroom Users are expected to adhere to this Code of Ethics with respect to the equipment and facilities as well as THP Staff, THP volunteers, and all persons within it. All Darkroom Users have read and understood the THP Darkroom User Agreement and agree to be bound by its terms.