ABOUT BCD: Where we came from & where we're going.

film viewing, light table, darkroom

Our History

With just a handful of equipment, very little money and a dream, founder Lucia Rollow opened the Bushwick Community Darkroom in 2011. Her goal: to provide artists and residents with a vibrant, affordable space to practice, promote and preserve the art of film photography.

That dream developed into a retrofitted warehouse in the heart of Brooklyn serving hundreds of customers each month. After 8 years, in December 2022 we vacated that warehouse and have now relocated to a beautiful new facility at 334 Himrod St that will open to the public in September 2024!

BCD offers 24/7 access to darkrooms, as well as color and black-and-white film processing, education programs, and gallery shows.
lucia rollow with a 35mm hewes reel.

Lucia Rollow is a film photographer specializing in Gum Bichromate landscape prints who in 2011, founded the Bushwick Community Darkroom, Brooklyn’s premier photography destination. Lucia is a founding partner of SHIM/Photo (a global network for exhibition opportunities) and the United Film Lab Network (a global network of darkrooms and film labs).

Over the last 10 years Lucia has shared her love of analog photography, helping over 20,000 artists explore the medium. Holding a BFA in Photography from the School of Visual Arts and an MPS in Arts & Cultural Management from Pratt Institute in New York City, Lucia has contributed to panels at Sotheby’s Institute and Bushwick Open Studios. 

An active community member, she has helped her peers get featured in publications ranging from Vogue to Hunger Magazine to Nylon to the New York Times. Lucia lives with her 20 year old ginger tabby cat, Harold, in Bushwick.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and equitable community and advancing social justice causes.

We welcome community input and involvement.
It’s important to us that our members, customers, staff, and guests in our space feel welcomed and safe. We are proud to continue supporting artists of all backgrounds from New York and worldwide. Promoting diversity has always been an important part of our strategic planning and decision-making, and we have invested in diversity and inclusion training for our leadership team.

We are committed

It is the policy of BCD to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This policy relates to all phases of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, employment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, reduction of workforce and termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, the use of all facilities, and participation in all company-sponsored employee activities. Provisions in applicable laws providing for bona fide occupational qualifications, business necessity or age limitations will be adhered to by the company where appropriate.

As part of the company's equal employment opportunity policy, BCD will also take affirmative action as called for by applicable laws and Executive Orders to ensure that minority and historically marginalized group individuals are introduced into our workforce and considered for promotional opportunities.

Employees and applicants shall not be subjected to harassment, intimidation or any type of retaliation because they have (1) filed a complaint; (2) assisted or participated in an investigation, compliance review, hearing or any other activity related to the administration of any federal, state or local law requiring equal employment opportunity; (3) opposed any act or practice made unlawful by any federal, state or local law requiring equal opportunity; or (4) exercised any other legal right protected by federal, state or local law requiring equal opportunity.

The above-mentioned policies shall be periodically brought to the attention of senior staff and shall be appropriately administered. It is the responsibility of each supervisor of the company to ensure affirmative implementation of these policies to avoid any discrimination in employment. All employees are expected to recognize these policies and cooperate with their implementation. Violation of these policies is a disciplinary offense.

film developing sink

Additional hiring policies:

  • Selection of candidates for employee or volunteer positions is based on skills, experience, and ensuring a good fit for the community.
  • There are no educational requirements for applicants, however strong technical and communication skills are an important qualification.
  • We do not inquire about legal history during the application process