It seems like we have wifes & girlfriends watching around when we're " hell hath no fury like a woman scorned"talking about closing our eyes ... keep them open!
Yep, my wife ain't afraid of anything. She lived in Philadelphia for 15 years running a gallery. One day some young hoodlum decided to snatch the cash box. She chased him down over a block and lit in to him. Scolded him, asking him what would your mother think etc. I think she scared him so bad he went straight after that. I know my match, I'm bigger but she's braver.
Mike
Yep, my wife ain't afraid of anything. She lived in Philadelphia for 15 years running a gallery. One day some young hoodlum decided to snatch the cash box. She chased him down over a block and lit in to him. Scolded him, asking him what would your mother think etc. I think she scared him so bad he went straight after that. I know my match, I'm bigger but she's braver.
Mike
One thing I learned very early in my life is that women are tough, and not to mess with them especially if they are defending their children because they are alley fighters.
This is not what really matters. The big question is: when you're there, in the dark, loading film in the reels... do you feel like you're not alone and, suddenly, someone will just whisper in your ears?
I load reels in a creepy closet in my 1930's house. A bloody clown always fades into view, so I keep my eyes closed. Really helps keep the bloody clown at bay.
I voted "I never noticed" because I'm not 100% sure, but I think I DO usually close them. I spool the film in a changing bag. Somehow it makes a strange kind of sense that closing your eyes helps visualize what you are doing, or at least concentrate a little harder on what your hands are feeling.
Concentration! That's why. I believe you have hit on the reason I close my eyes, if I close them, loading reels or holders in the darkroom in the dark. Also, as you said, perhaps it does help you visualize what you are doing. Do I worry about it? Heck no. If it works, don't fix it......Regards!
If I close my eyes, it is mostly to avoid eye-strain from trying too hard to see in the dark. I have spent many thousands of hours in the dark -- loading and unloading sheet film and developing sheets in open trays. My Jobo Expert Drums sure have made a difference!
I can 'see' my hands dimly in the dark. That is, my brain can form the image of my hands in front of me based on the position/muscles of my hands. A little spooky, but I can never see what my hands are holding (film, white trays), so it is not a matter of light leaking into the room. Perhaps I have spent too much time alone in the dark!