Local photographer Paul Green bought all the equipment for a darkroom through an online auction listed by Wakatipu High School.
The school is relocating from Gorge Rd to Frankton and not reinstating the darkroom at the new premises.
Mr Green now needs somewhere to put the equipment and is hoping an organisation or individual in Queenstown will be able to help him out by providing a space.
Although plans are uncertain at present, he is confident there is a market for a darkroom in the resort and has had positive feedback so far.
''People still want to be
able to take photos on their phones and put them on Instagram but they also want to mess around in the darkroom with processes they've never had a chance to play with,'' he said.
Mr Green personally bought the equipment but he wants the darkroom to become part of a trust that is not individually owned.
His wants it to be an educational space for learning more about photography through talks and seminars.
Eventually he wants it to be used for different types of visual arts.
The space would most probably operate on some sort of annual subscription or drop-in fee.
Anyone would be welcome, from tourists, to students, to established photographers.
Mr Green understands this would be the only community darkroom in the country and one of very few across the world.
This Friday at 6pm, Mr Green is hosting a meeting at Fluid, 10 Memorial St, open to anyone who would like to discuss ideas and plans for the proposed darkroom.
''We'll run it up the flag pole, as they say, and see who salutes it.''
