Bushwick Community Darkroom — Local services in New York

I thought about the consequences of posting this review (for this business) for a while before posting this but because my experience was so nightmarish and because of the amount of money photographers spend on getting their photos developed--not to mention the sentimental value each film has--I am posting this after much thought as a fair warning to future customers.

To be fair, this could be a rare occasion and maybe I just had bad luck in terms of timing, but it took me almost a month to receive all my scans back after submitting 8 rolls. But each time I emailed them for information on the status of my films, I was met with silence for a few days, until I followed up again, or my initial questions were evaded multiple times and previously answered questions were repeated. I think it's great that this is a community-run darkroom and I wish I could be more supportive, but I also think if I'm spending over $140 to get my films developed and scanned, the customer service should have been more indicative of the prices they put on their services. After weeks of sporadic responses from them, and days of trying to track down what happened to my last 120 film, I finally went to pick up the scans and ask them in person what happened to my last roll because I wasn't receiving any helpful responses via email (someone would instead constantly reply that my scans had been uploaded when I was asking them an entirely different question).

Instead, I was shown a blank roll, told it was probably my fault even though the rolls I took on that same day with the same camera (which had no operational issues that day as far as I could tell) were developed perfectly fine elsewhere. And the person handing me my film just laughed and told me, "that sucks" and mentioned I could probably receive partial credit for it if I emailed them. I understand mistakes happen. I understand maybe I could have made that mistake and somehow really produced a blank roll. But what really bothers me is that I was given half-hearted, default apologies of "we apologize for the inconvenience" instead of an honest answer and explanation about why the scans that were initially uploaded weren’t even my photos and why it took so long. If people find this community darkroom helpful and productive, that's great. I hope it really is an educational and welcoming community. But this was my experience and I think people should know as much as they can if they're going to be spending significant amounts to get their film developed because beyond the question of whether my film is "good enough" to be missed or not, those memories were really important to me and my family, and the people I love in those photos are never going to be the same with everything they've endured, and the joy that those photos were meant to spark are always going to be missing in our chapter. And yes,...

responce to owner: I have complained more times than once even laying film out on light tables to show yall, and I don't see how any business professional or otherwise would publicly announce the content of their communities photos. I shoot film and travel often and know to always have it hand checked and kept cool. Simply put when you only shoot film on trips then never get to see the photos it's pretty sad. don't trust BCD with your film. I really wanted to like this place and support local but after 4 large mistakes 4 separate times I'm moving on.

They have used the wrong chemicals, processed reversal film normal (TWICE - even taking the reversal film and not telling me they don't process reversal), scratched, dirty negatives, super low res scans and instead of learning from their mistakes and maybe offering a free roll or two they say sorry and give you a refund.

Good for the quick disposable camera but if ya got anything you care about go to vista crc or just ship it to thedarkroom(dot)com for the same...

I am sorry to join the chorus of disappointed and frustrated people as the concept is an exciting one. Unfortunately it can be at best considered very poorly run. I submitted a photograph which was to be exhibited in Miami and paid $100 I didn’t hear anything or re piece anything in response Recently I purchased a yashica 127!format Very old but fun. I exposed 3 rolls to test it an my ability before forging ahead Lucia assured me they could process the film I paid $42 and received a post paid mailing label After 6 weeks I have recieved no negatives back. I emailed Lucia and she told me she had no idea what happened Here I am weeks later - no test negatives and out 300!dollars inc. film I am sorry to hear the lab is in difficult financial circumstances but unfortunately I am not surprised and must begin again Somewhere else Good idea - poor execution. Ps called within posted hours - no...