Photographic Darkroom Change Bag

Taking photos with pinhole cameras is a fun thing to do but loading the photographic paper into the camera needs to be done in total darkness or with only a red light. This is limiting as after taking a shot the camera needs to be taken back to the darkroom to remove the film. With a photographic darkroom change bag the camera can be loaded and unloaded 'in the field' enabling you to take more shots.

Change bags can be purchased from photographic supply stores, but why spend $30 to $50 on one when you can easily make one yourself.

3 black rubbish bags

Black electrical tape

7 Clothes pegs

4 large rubber bands

Tools:

Pair of scissors

Hold a large black plastic rubbish bag up to the light to check no light comes though. The ones I used were almost light proof but slightly transparent, so I inserted 3 bags into each other making the completed 3 bag combo completely light proof.

You need to be able to put your arms into the change bag, so make two sleeve opening by cutting the two corners off the bags. Make the the opening just big enough for your hand to slide in.

Make short sleeves using some black electrical tape. Place a couple of large rubber bands around these sleeves.

So the 3 bags won't move out of alignment stick them together with black electrical tap. Tape the 1st bag to the second and then the 1st to the third at a couple of places at the edge of the sleeve. Do the same at a few places along the bag's main opening.

Check the bag is light proof by looking into it and holding it up to light .

To use:

1. Place the stuff to work on in the bag
2. Peg it it shut
3. Insert your arms though the sleeves

I placed in the change bag, a beverage can pinhole camera along with photographic paper, black electrical tape and small scissors.

The bottom of the bag was folded onto it self a couple of times and secured with 7 clothes pegs.

By inserting my arms into the sleeves, I was able to put the photographic paper into the pinhole camera and secure the lid with black electrical tape in complete darkness, while being outside.
There was enough room in the bag for 6 beverage can pinhole cameras to be loaded together.

Some photos taken with pinhole cameras - which had photographic paper or instax film placed in them while in the change bag, demonstrating the bag is light proof.