Black Mountain Darkroom
A film photography collective in Abergavenny. Film isn't dead. Neither are we.
Get involvedWho we are
Six enlargers, one shared obsession
We're a small collective of film shooters who keep a community darkroom alive at the foot of the Black Mountains. Between us we run on grain, patience and a healthy disagreement about developers.
We meet fortnightly to look at each other's prints, run monthly print nights, and teach the processes most people think have disappeared. Bring your negatives — we'll find you an enlarger.
From the darkroom
Field notes, honest reviews and process write-ups from people who actually print.
How to buy a film camera on eBay without getting burned
Half the collective’s cameras came from eBay; so did most of our horror stories. Here’s the checklist we wish we’d had.
1 July 2026
Caffenol: we developed four rolls in instant coffee, so you don’t have to (but you should)
Instant coffee, washing soda and vitamin C really will develop film. We ran four rolls through Caffenol C-M and the results surprised the sceptics.
22 June 2026
Shooting Ilford HP5 at box speed, 800 and 3200: a practical comparison
We shot three rolls of HP5 across a weekend in the Brecon Beacons. Here's what each rating actually gives you.
16 June 2026
What membership gets you
Beyond the reading — what you'll actually have access to.
On the wall
Recent prints from members of the collective.
Come and print with us
New to film or twenty rolls deep, there's a spot at the bench. Drop by a print night and see how the room works.