Closing my eyes in the dark

Sim2 said:

When I had to load an E6 dip & dunk machine I found out that I would get dizzy and fall over if I closed my eyes, not good in a pro lab. Although pitch black, if I kept my eyes open - no falling over. Go figure. Used to be in there for hours sometimes, ah memories.

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Been there. Nightmares? Day after day, it gets OLD FAST.

Vaughn said:

I was using a changing bag in the lobby of the Bright Angel Lodge on the rim of the Grand Canyon. I kept my eyes open while reloading 4x5's. One of the bell boys eventually came over and asked what I was doing (my hands were still deep in the changing bag). I had to resist the desire to say, "I'm a heroin addict and I would like to shoot up with some privacy, thank you!"

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I heard about a guy who motorcycled through Central Asia, shooting movie film, I believe. He used a changing bag but found out in a fairly unpleasant way that the locals in at least one place believed that the only way to conjure the devil was with your hands in a black bag. Why else would anyone have their hands in a black bag?

So, next time, tell the bellboy that you are conjuring the devil and see how long it takes to get out of there.

I don't know whether he had his eyes closed or not; nor do I know for sure the story is true. But I like it.

If I have difficulty loading a reel in a changing bag, sometimes I close my eyes to concentrate on the feel of the process. Since I didn't have a changing bag when I first got my reels, I learned the process by loading a sacrificed roll in daylight but with my eyes closed.

I keep my eyes open in the darkroom and also when loading in a changing bag. I do need to concentrate though, so I usually focus on something in the room and stare at it. Maybe I wouldn't get so many funny looks if I would just give in and shut the eyes.

Wear sunglasses.