Analog photography can produce some interesting effects, often entirely by accident!
The rise in the popularity of digital cameras has seen a decline in the numbers of those developing photographs at home. The upside to this is that a large quantity of secondhand darkroom equipment is out there for anyone wanting to create a photographic darkroom at home. A few basic pieces of equipment are all that is needed to produce your own photographs and start experimenting with different exposure techniques.
Shielding
Obviously it's important for your darkroom to be just that--dark. Film and photographic paper become discolored and unusable if exposed to light, so it's vital to block out all the light you can. Heavy black cloth is the most practical and logical solution, and it can be purchased by the yard very cheaply. It's also worth hanging a piece over any doors as well as windows, as the small amount of light that seeps in around the edges can be enough.
Vessels
Appropriate containers are important for storing chemicals and processing film. Film processing baths are shallow trays where prints will lie in the developing solution. For small-scale processing, they may also take the form of a spool in a sealed container. The film is wound onto the spool, then the container filled with developer. Stop baths are the same shallow tray shape found on commercial processing baths. It's important to use genuine developing vessels, rather than generic plastic trays. The developing chemicals can react with certain plastics.
Chemicals
Developing solution acts as a catalyst for the reaction that makes the image appear on the print or negative. Stop Bath solution halts the developing process before the image becomes too dark. It's possible to use water in place of commercial Stop Bath, but it is slow to work, so results can vary. Fixing solution binds the image to the print paper, once the reaction is complete, setting the image in place. All chemicals should be stored in airtight containers, preferably with a vacuum action that keeps additional air from entering as the solution is poured out. They should always be disposed of properly, not poured into drains.
Peripherals
A pair of plastic tongs is essential for moving prints from one tank to another. It prevents finger marks on the prints, as well as keeping the chemicals off your hands.
A drying rack is a useful addition, but a piece of twine strung between the walls and some clothes pegs will work.
Tags: processing baths, Stop Bath