Building the Future: Progress on the New Zebra Darkroom

As many of you know, our journey in expanding Zebra Dry Plate has been an exciting one. From the humble beginnings of a shipping container darkroom to now building a dedicated workspace under a 200-year-old hayrack, every step has been fueled by passion, hard work, and the unwavering support of our incredible community.

Progress Update

Since our last update, we have made significant advancements in constructing the new Zebra Darkroom / Workshop space. This project is an exciting blend of old and new, as we are preserving the historical integrity of the hayrack while transforming it into a state-of-the-art facility for dry plate production, workshops and innovation. Here’s what we’ve accomplished so far:

• Base Plate Completed: The structural foundation has been set, providing a solid base for the workspace. This was a crucial step in ensuring the stability and longevity of the entire build.
• Interior Construction Begun: Working within the existing wooden framework of the hayrack, we have taken great care to maintain its character while reinforcing it for modern functionality.
• Ceiling Installation: Half of the ceiling is already in place, defining the space and giving us a real sense of the progress made so far.
• Wall Structure Underway: The framework for the walls is taking shape, outlining the different areas that will house production, storage, and creative workspaces.

Priorities Moving Forward

With our dry plate coating machine scheduled to arrive in April, completing the bottom floor is our primary goal for the next month. This machine, measuring 4×1.2 meters, is a crucial addition to our production process, and we need to ensure we have ample space for both installation and operation.

This machine will allow us to further refine and expand our offerings, providing consistent, high-quality plates for photographers around the world. Having a dedicated workspace for it will make the entire process more efficient, allowing us to focus on craftsmanship and innovation rather than working around space constraints.

Additionally, once the bottom floor is fully operational, we will shift our attention to the second floor. The upper level presents exciting opportunities—our current vision includes an office space and, potentially, a creative studio. The high ceilings of the hayrack create an inspiring open area, ideal for capturing light and atmosphere in ways that enhance the artistic process.

None of this would be possible without you—our incredible community. Your support, whether through using Zebra Plates & Equipment, backing our Kickstarter campaigns, or sharing the magic of dry plate photography, fuels everything we do.

We’re deeply grateful for your belief in our mission to keep this historic craft alive and thriving. Together, we’re proving that art and tradition can still find a place in our modern world.

What’s Next?

In the upcoming blogs, we will dive deeper into the technical aspects of building and optimizing a darkroom. Some key topics we’ll cover include:

• Darkroom Ventilation: Creating an efficient and safe airflow system to manage chemicals and maintain a healthy working environment.
• Darkroom Lighting: Designing a controlled lighting setup tailored to dry plate production and creative work.
• Workspace Optimization: Organizing the space to maximize efficiency and maintain a seamless workflow.
• Building on History: Balancing the restoration of a historical structure with modern requirements for precision and productivity.

A Community Effort

This expansion is not just about gaining more space—it’s about preserving a historical structure while building a future for dry plate photography. The 200-year-old hayrack holds so much history, and it is an honor to give it new life as a creative hub for this timeless craft.

None of this would be possible without you—our amazing community. Whether you are using Zebra Plates & Equipment in your own photography, supported us through Kickstarter, or simply followed our journey with enthusiasm, your encouragement fuels everything we do. We are incredibly grateful for every comment, message, and story you share with us.

Stay tuned as we bring Zebra Darkroom 2.0 to life, step by step. More updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes details coming soon! We can’t wait to share more about this exciting build with you all.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible adventure!