AS220 Photo is the only photographic facility in Rhode Island that provides affordable public access to photographers at every level. The project began in August 1994 when a group of recent graduates found themselves without access to darkroom facilities and set out to fill the gap. Since then the Paul Krot Community Darkrooms have helped hundreds of working photographers practice their craft, and introduced new people to the art through our accessibility and affordable education opportunities.
In February 2011 the traditional photo program at AS220 expanded to include digital printing, editing, framing, mating and studio lighting in the newly renovated Mercantile Block. With the world of photography evolving at a rapid pace, we are proud to now provide affordable access to both industry standard and open source editing software and high quality inkjet printers.
**On the 2nd floor of 115 Empire Street, you will find:**
Group Darkroom with (3) Besler and (1) Omega Enlargers
Solo Darkroom with 8x10 Enlarger and Ilford D5500 Enlarger
Sprint Chemistry
Archival print washers
Trays, tongs, tanks, reels and accessories
**AS220 Photo Lab in the Mercantile resources include:**
(4) G5 Mac towers and CS3 w/23" widescreen monitors
(2) Epson Stylus pro 4000 color inkjet printers
Epson Perfection 4870 Film Scanner w/35mm, 120, 4x5 and slide holders
JOBO film processing system w/35mm-4x5 film tanks
16x20 Dry Mount Print Press
Bowens Esprit 500 Studio Strobe kit
Four light copy stand
Logan 660 Framers Edge mat cutter
Scrap/test Mat board
16x20 and under empty frames($5 each)
20x24 and over empty frames ($10 each)
Various size and finish photo and proofing papers
**paper costs include ink usage, printer maintainence and usage, of AS220 Photo computers and editing software*
We offer everything from hourly to yearly membership options to our users.
All photo memberships require a $40 annual Cottage Industry membership fee to be paid prior to use. With payment you receive a user ID and password to an online time reservation system as well as your orientation session.
The darkroom operates via a communal structure, with users contributing time in varying levels to the darkroom and helping us make the space accessible, available and interesting.
If you are interested in any of these memberships, you can sign up for them here
For your convenience, you can also sign up for a "subscription" service through PayPal, so your membership dues will be processed automatically each month. Just choose a membership option from the drop down menu and you will be directed to the PayPal site to set up your subscription account.
