As the world becomes more and more digital, there are still some diehards in the analog world we leave behind. Vinyl records are making a comeback, and cinematography continues. Although the entry threshold of records and turntables is low, photography is more complex, especially when developing films. However, with the right equipment, you can narrow the gap from digital to analog through the darkroom setting, which can take digital photos and convert them to analog printing.
The creator of the project [muth] has been engaged in this work since the discovery of 4K monochrome display. These displays are usually used in resin 3D printers, but he believes they can be used to develop photos. However, this is very different from the traditional darkroom method. The monochrome display is in contact with the photosensitive paper and then exposed. Black pixels block light, while white pixels allow light to pass through, creating a digital to analog negative. With some calibration, you can know exactly how long each “pixel” of the paper is exposed. The device can create black-and-white analog images from digital photos.
[muth] pointed out that this method is not as good as professional printing, but we don’t expect it to be so. It uses a unique method to create excellent black-and-white photos, which we think can produce amazing results. The 4K display needed to replicate this method is not too difficult to find, so it is quite easy for those who are willing to build a small darkroom to experiment. For those who want to go further, take a look at some other darkroom buildings we have seen in the past.