I have a low ceiling, so the enlarger table is low. I have a very short stool that I use sometimes and not others. At the dry table and sink I have a cheap wood bar stool that moves easily. I probably stand 70% of the time and sit the rest.
Silence during worktime, no distracting noises. Noise I had with one of our movie film printers, an early 1920s Matipo. For me, photography and cinematography are to be kept quiet businesses. Concentration is most vital.
I've found silence to be distracting. Long periods of time with nobody to talk to or music/talk radio to listen to makes me tired and causes me to lose focus. Someone to talk to or sing along with (badly out of tune) keeps me awake and focused. To each his own, though
i use a office swivel chair on wheels i glide around my darkroom. cant imagine a darkroom without one. i usually stand when printing and sit for development.
To each his own. I personally happen to LIKE the silence. It's part of the little time I get to hear no one.
If I am only doing a single day printing, I too enjoy the silence.
However, if I am doing 3 or 4 straight days printing, I find I start to need something to listen too - I think its a bit of sensory depravation creeping in.
Martin
I find it easier to stand and expose as well, the raincoat doesn't bunch up.I will often stand to expose the print.
I find it easier to stand and expose as well, the raincoat doesn't bunch up.
I find it easier to stand and expose as well, the raincoat doesn't bunch up.
To each his own. I personally happen to LIKE the silence. It's part of the little time I get to hear no one.
I went sit-down on wheels, but for different reasons than most here. I have no inner ear balance(equilibrium problems), which means that when the lights go out I go down. I was told at Mayo Clinic that we have three senses of balance. 1. Is site. 2. Is feel. 3. is inner ear. You can get by fairly well without one, but not so well without two. So, when it gets dark I have lost both my inner ear and sight and that spells trouble. When I designed my 8'x11' darkroom I put in a linoleum floor and "bar" height counter, sink and enlarger shelf. I now use a cushioned bar stool on wheels and it works perfect. I have two 4x5 and one 6x7 enlargers along one side and the sink in on the end and it works just about perfect for me, but like I said earlier, I have no choice. I have two pull long pull cords for my lights, one by the enlargers and one above the sink. When I pull the cord for lights out a sensor on my safe-light automatically kicks the safe-lights on. The only time I stand is to focus my 4x5 enlargers and all I have to do is hold onto the counter with my left hand while I focus for a few seconds and I'm fine. I think I would go this route even if I didn't have my medical problems as it makes my time in the dark much less fatiqueing. Just MHO of course.
Thanks for posting this. It really highlights the fact that these choices are very personal. IMHO, one of the great qualities of analogue photography is how adaptable it is to each our particular circumstances.
As an aside, I notice that you have been a member here on APUG for more than four years, but this is your first post. I'm glad you joined in.
Who the heck doesn't listen to music in the darkroom?
Steve you need a new fixer formula if the fumes are that strong.
Who the heck doesn't listen to music in the darkroom?
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