FOTOVERKSTEDET

Fotoverkstedet is a non-profit organisation and a darkroom collective dedicated to supporting practitioners of analogue photography and its members’ practices. It is Bergen’s only publicly accessible artist-run darkroom, providing workshops, exhibition opportunities, and residencies through collaborations.

Fotoverkstedet was established in 2017 and was located in Isotop. It inherited the equipment from the University of Bergen and Bergens Tidende. Fotoverkstedet has relocated into Damsgårdsveien 229, Laksevåg, since Nov 2025.

Fotoverkstedet has received funding from Bergen Kommune in 2017 and 2026.

Bergen / Norway

  • Residency Offer:

    3 weeks in Apr-May, 2027

    Sustainable Theme:

    Fotoverkstedet will invite a photographic artist who wants to learn about sustainable processes and will offer the photographic artist a workshop on the theme.

    Residency Apartment:

    A small cabin with bathroom, toilet, and simple kitchen located at Fløenbakken. Need to be booked as soon as possible to ensure the availability.

    Residency activities:

    • You will be offered a workshop about a technique involved sustainable photographic processes

    • You will have a guided tour in the darkroom and a welcome gathering with darkroom members on arrival

    • You will get recommendations for the galleries and openings to visit in Bergen

    • You may be invited to do a presentation or workshop at Fotoverkstedet, or similar art space

  • Fotoverkstedet has 6 members now and a calendar booking system for the members working privately and collaboratively.

    Fotoverkstedet is located in Laksevåg, western part of Bergen, accessible by bus from Bergen centre about 15 mins. Neighbour art collectives include Den uferdige institusjonen, Isotop, and Bergen Fellesverksted.

  • In the Darkroom:

    • LPL Diffusion Modular Enlarger Model 7452 for B&W with filters inside

    • Durst CLS 501 with LED light

    • Durst Phototechnik Pictochrom for printing on metal plate wall

    • Free use of old/ expired paper

    • Two large sinks with taps and shower heads

    • Red safelights and white light controlled by 3 remotes

    • Film development tanks and reels for 135 and 120 mm, frames for 8x10 inch.

    • Drying cabinet for films and prints

    • Printing equipment e.g. paper easels up to 60x70cm, focus finders, etc

    • Paper cutter (90cm)

    • A metal plate wall for large size printing

    • Developing equipment e.g. paper trays up to 60x70cm and tubes 60cm in length, beakers,

    • measuring cups, tongs etc.

    • Archival washer (up to 58x66cm)

    • Jobo AutoLab 1000

    • A speaker for music

    • Upcoming colour print processor Termaphot ACP 302

    • Ventilation will be installed by 2026.

    *Artists are responsible to prepare their own chemicals and dispose of the waste; no shared chemicals in the darkroom yet.

    In the Light room:

    • Drying screens for all kinds of prints up to 70cm x 90cm

    • Large glass working table 200x160cm

    • Cutting mat (120x80cm)

    • Paper cutter (180cm)

    • Wall light box

    • Light table

    • Epson scanner V850 with film holders for 135, 120, and 4x5

    • Storage

    • Kitchenware: kettle and fridge

  • Instagram:
    @fotoverkstedet.bergen
    https://www.instagram    .com/fotoverkstedet.bergen


    Address:
    Damsgårdsveien 229, 5160, Bergen

    Contact person:
    Lexy Liangzi Xiao
    Email: xiaoliangzi_lexy@126.com
    Telephone: +4740179387