Shops / Shop of the Week
Shop of the Week: Jack’s Lab, St Philip’s Marsh
Jack’s Lab is an independent film processing lab run by a small team of photographers who are passionate about Bristol’s creative community.
They specialise in processing and developing various types of film, including black and white, colour, slide film and cine film.
Founder Jack Ford started Jack’s Lab in 2021, with the vision of creating an “inclusive space for all levels of film photographers”.
Jack told Bristol24/7 that the idea for business sparked during lockdown, when other film developers were closing down.
He said: “I shoot as a photographer and I needed somewhere or someone to develop my film. I could develop my black and white film but needed to develop in colour, so I taught myself how to do that. It became something I did for myself, then friends, then friends of friends.”
Trust the process is the Jack’s Lab mantra –
Fellow photographers Jack Tolhurst and Rosie Warwick make up the rest of the trio that Jack described as “just three mates working together”.
Before founding the lab, Jack worked for over a decade in London but decided to relocate to Bristol for the creative scene.
He explained: “In London, I felt as if I had to prioritise getting ahead of others rather than building a sense of community.
“In Bristol, everyone is ready to help and support each other. There is no gatekeeping here – we are happy to share all the knowledge that we have gained and continue to gain with other people.”
He added: “I think Bristol is absolutely ideal and perfect for what we’re doing and looking to achieve. There is such an amazing creative community here.”
Behind the scenes in the film development process
Jack’s Lab also runs Photo Club Bristol for the wider film photography community, setting up social meet-ups, exhibitions and photo walks.
“For us, Photo Club Bristol is a way of connecting with and giving back to the Bristol community,” Jack said proudly.
With support from the rest of the team, Jack’s Lab team member Rosie also helps run GIRLS Camera Club, an inclusive collective for women and non-binary analogue photographers.
Jack’s Lab’s reach even extends to a monthly podcast run by the trio, Voice Notes from the Lab, that talks all things photography.
Jack’s Lab even sell their own merchandise
From holographic stickers to hand-drawn posters, vibrant and graphic images cover the company’s attic space.
But Jack’s Lab doesn’t just make merchandise to get the brand name out there.
Jack explained: “If we can do little bits of merch, whether it’s T-shirts or tote bags or mugs…it’s all to keep the film industry alive which can be very volatile.”
Jack’s Lab’s recent collaboration with Easton-based micro coffee roastery Radical Roasters highlights their commitment to inclusivity
Looking to the future, Jack said finding a new space would better support their work: “We’ve been looking to find a larger space for a while that will allow us to grow and do more of what we do.”
He added with a smile: “I would like to be able to offer more from a print side of things. And also more coffee collaborations, because we love coffee…”
All photos: Alexandra Hill
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