Who we are
Dark Mode is a public darkroom run by Matter of Place Architects CIC from our studio at Basement No. 4 Upper Goat Lane, Norwich. We opened the darkroom as a contribution to the growing movement for analogue and traditional methods of art production. It is a space for photographers and artists who value the considered, chemical, and irreducibly physical nature of the darkroom print. The darkroom facility is managed by the MOPA team.
The Norwich Community Darkroom provided the fit out and equipment. They are anchor tenants of the darkroom and provide three weekly group. sessions. The programme is led by Jeremy Webb.
All eight enlargers are supplied with interchangeable timers, a range of masking frames for both large and small prints, focus finders, 35mm contact sheet printers, and paper safes for printing multiples in small batches.
We also have vertical print washing to supplement open tray washing in our large sink area, which also doubles as a space in which films can be developed alongside darkroom printing, if necessary.
The lobby area outside the darkroom space has a small seating area, kettle and fruit tea refreshments, standing coat rack and bag space, a film drying cabinet, Lightbox, heated electric print dryer, and guillotine; which is not fixed and can be moved into the printing space if required.
Slow art movement
There is a counter-movement in photography; away from the instant, the digital & disposable, making the process one of patience and physical work. Dark Mode is a darkroom that celebrates the relationship between photographer and photo; one that is deliberate and material in a way that no digital manipulation skills can replicate.
Dark Mode hopes to support slow practice: to give photographers in Norwich access to a serious facility, and support a community of people who believe that analogue skills are worth the effort.
FAQs
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Dark Mode is aimed at practising photographers and artists with existing darkroom experience. You don’t need professional credentials, but you should be comfortable working independently with enlargers and chemistry.
If you’re not sure whether it’s right for you, join Norwich Community Dark Room and come along to a community session first. -
Bring your negatives. Developer, fixer, and paper are available to buy in session quantities, or you’re welcome to bring your own. All other equipment is provided.
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Dark Mode enlargers (Tech specs)
Please check back here as the exact enlargers available will vary depending on their repair and maintenance scheduleThe enlargers of the darkroom are a rotating bunch of real characters; all with different personalities.
Quite apart from building Dark Mode to centre around VC (variable contrast) multigrade printing - although not exclusively that - we also try to create the right environment for the crafting of well-produced 10” x 8” b&w prints, as a great first entry point for newcomers & newbies to the great darkroom arts of black & white film photography.
1. Hannah. Durst M670BW takes 35mm negs and up to 6cm x 7cm Nikkor 50mm f2.8 lens
2. Stuart Meopta Magnify 4. 35mm negs and up to 6cm x 9cm. Meopta lens 50mm f2.8
3. Niki Gnome Alpha II. takes 35mm negs & up to 6 x 9. Ental Taylor Hobson lens f3.5
4. Palak. Meopta Axomat 5a takes 35mm negs Patterson 50/f3.5 lens
5. April. Meopta Opemus 6. takes 35mm and up to 6cm x 6cm. Meopta Anaret 80ml f4.5 lens
6. Mr Les. Durst M670Colour takes 35mm and up to 6cm x 7cm EL-Nikkor 75mm lens
7. Holly. Meopta Axomat 4a takes 35mm (lens TBD)
8. Jerry. Opemus 6a takes 35mm Aico 50mm lens 1:3.5
9. Bert (used to belong to Bert Hardy) takes 35mm. Currently produces circular prints
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All enlargers are supplied with interchangeable timers, a range of masking frames for both large and small prints, focus finders, 35mm contact sheet printers, and paper safes for printing multiples in small batches.
We also have vertical print washing to supplement open tray washing in our large sink area, which also doubles as a space in which films can be developed alongside darkroom printing, if necessary.
The lobby area outside the darkroom space has a small seating area, kettle and fruit tea refreshments, standing coat rack and bag space, a film drying cabinet, Lightbox, heated electric print dryer, and guillotine; which is not fixed and can be moved into the printing space if required.
We have technical precision and larger print sizes possible with our 2 Durst enlargers, several very good quality Meopta enlargers, well-suited to learners requirements for good, solid basics. We have older “veterans” like Niki and Stuart more suited to series and sequences of 5” x 7” test prints, multiples, photogramming, and experimental series, and everything in-between.
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We stock developer, stop bath, and fixer on site, available to purchase in session quantities. We do not charge a blanket chemistry fee — you pay only for what you use.
We have a selection of paper available to purchase. in future this will be available to pre-order via the booking portal. in the meantime, we will offer you a selection by email.
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Private hire is available Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Community sessions run on Wednesday evenings and all day Monday and Saturday — contact Jeremy at Norwich Community Darkroom for those hours.
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No. All users must complete an induction before their first session. Inductions run weekly once four people have registered — book yours through the Hire the Darkroom portal.
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Yes — up to four people can book a session together. There are four enlarger bays available.
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From September 2026 we will offer block bookings at a reduced rate. If you are interested in securing a regular slot, including institutional bookings, get in touch to discuss.
Contact us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!