Melbourne Darkroom culture came alive this Winter Solstice, as Loop Art & Photo Space opened its doors to a quiet but growing movement, one centred on slowness, presence, and the power of hand-made prints.
There were no velvet ropes. No gallery snobbery. Just nine artists – some seasoned, some barely dry from their first developer tray – hanging silver gelatin prints on the walls of our little art & photo space tucked away in Olinda. This was the first, and hopefully not the last, Darkroom Solstice show: an invitation to pause, to look, and to be part of something real.
The Heart of a Melbourne Darkroom
Darkrooms are not known for their glamour. They are messy, slightly damp rooms that smell faintly of vinegar and undeniable possibility. But to the Melbourne film photography community, they’re also temples. And for one night, that temple cracked open for everyone.
When Darkroom Solstice was first announced, submissions trickled in slower than an image in exhausted developer. The fear, quietly humming in the background, was that perhaps no one would submit work and no one would come. But then, as the deadline neared, that all shifted. The call was heard. People from all across the Melbourne (& Australia) film & darkroom community began showing up & sending in, or dropping off their handmade prints.
It was a mixed bag of contributors; some of the participants had just taken their very first darkroom class at Loop the week before. And yet, they were brave enough to exhibit work alongside longtime printers with decades of experience under their fingernails. No one batted an eye. There was no gatekeeping. Only encouragement.
It was proof of concept: inclusion.
A Celebration Under Silver Moonlight
The opening night was held on June 21st – Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s the longest, darkest night of the year, and the symbolism wasn’t lost on anyone. Guests arrived, dressed in all black coats and scarves, faces illuminated only by prints glowing under soft lights. This was our gentle nod to Hobart’s Dark Mofo, but with fewer devils and more Multigrade developer.
Adding to the whole vibe, Evelyn crafted some of the finest chocolate cupcakes, and good friend Tammy baked a selection of handmade camera cookies. Loop Member Jude added some additional flavour to the evening with a round of ETCH Sparkling for guests. And just when things felt complete, Ilford Imaging swooped in with a couple of boxes of their Multigrade RC Paper, a quiet thank you to a few of the contributors. It wasn’t flashy. It was just right.
What the Work Said
You had to be there. Writing about darkroom prints feels a little like describing music to someone with earplugs in. But still, there was detail. There was texture. There were moments printed with care, held up to the light like treasure. All of them carried the unmistakable fingerprint of the human hand – dodged, burned and coaxed into being in the red glow of a quiet room. You can’t fake that.
The Melbourne Film Photography Community Is Alive
By the end of the night, around 25 or 30 people had wandered through the doors – partners, friends, strangers, curious locals. They lingered. They asked questions. They admired. But it wasn’t about numbers; it was about energy. The kind that can’t be bottled, posted or liked. The kind that comes from people being in the same room, looking at things made with care.
This exhibition will remain on display until July 31st, 2025. If you’re curious what the Melbourne film community looks like, it’s hanging on those walls – come visit this weekend.