It’s dark, because exposure to light will damage the image on undeveloped film or printing paper. Literally a small room with a light switch, and all sources of stray light from the outside sealed. Some will have a special red bulb that can be used without damaging blue-sensitive B&W printing paper.
Then the operator has to manipulate things in the dark, like unloading exposed film from the cassette and putting it in chemical developing tanks. Reloading bulk film into cartridges. Printing developed film onto paper with an enlarger.
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