Mirror in the Bathroom (Darkroom)

Simplicius · Apr 30, 2008

As stupid questions seem to be my speciality, here goes. I am about to set up my first darkroom, got 90% of what I need now. Yippee! The planned location is the second bathroom. One concern it has along one wall an inbuilt mirror 10 foot by 3 high, it also has that warm tone glass, that tries to make you look better than you are.

Is it paranoid to wonder will the safelight reflections bouncing of this mirror at all angles change in wavelength so much that they may become unsafe ?

Or do I have too much times on my hands pondering such things.. smirks :rolleyes:

Simplicius :confused:

David Grenet · Apr 30, 2008

Simplicius said:
Or do I have too much times on my hands pondering such things.. smirks :rolleyes:

Yep. Now get into that darkroom and put that time to good use

Kent10D · Apr 30, 2008

The only thing I'd worry about would be scaring the cr*p out of myself when I turn the lights on.

bdial · Apr 30, 2008

Nothing to worry about for the safelight, I'd think. The mirror can only reflect and refract the wavelengths present in the first place.
There could be some problem with stray light from an enlarger though, depending on where everything is placed. Even then, the major problem would be if it reflects back to where the easel is, you might need to mask the offending area of the mirror.

RoNinHeart · Apr 30, 2008

Another "The English Beat" fan?

JBrunner · Apr 30, 2008

Just blow a piece of paper on a safe light test. You should anyway.

removed account4 · Apr 30, 2008

RoNinHeart said:
Another "The English Beat" fan?

that's what i was thinking!

MattKing · Apr 30, 2008

bdial said:
Nothing to worry about for the safelight, I'd think. The mirror can only reflect and refract the wavelengths present in the first place.
There could be some problem with stray light from an enlarger though, depending on where everything is placed. Even then, the major problem would be if it reflects back to where the easel is, you might need to mask the offending area of the mirror.

What he said.

Although it may be easier to mask the offending area of the enlarger.

I've got a similar situation in my bathroom/darkroom, and it seems to work out fine.

And when the lights are turned on, it seems so much more spacious.

Matt

tac · Apr 30, 2008

And I thought this was going to be a thread of self-portraits in the bathroom mirror. . . .

Paul Howell · Apr 30, 2008

I use a second bathroom with a large mirror, the issue is not the safelight but the white light from the enlarger, my Drust has very little white light that comes out from the bulb assembly, but my Omgea D condenser head has a fair amount of light from the negative stage. I painted my mirror black with poster paint.

PVia · Apr 30, 2008

Just check for stray light from the enlarger. I have an Omega D5XL with dichroic head and there is a little line of light that projects on the walls, no matter how much adjustment I've done. So I made some black cardboard deflectors for the 3 sides and taped them on there and made sure that the light didn't bounce down to the baseboard or to the walls...very easy to do and reassuring.

Neanderman · Apr 30, 2008

Paul Howell said:
I painted my mirror black with poster paint.

If you don't want such a permanent solution, go to the fabric store and get a piece of black cloth large enough to cover it and some adhesive Velcro strips. Put some small pieces of the hook side on the top edge of the mirror and the loop pieces in the corresponding spots on the fabric. Stick it up before you start, take it down and fold it when you're done.

Ed

phenix · Apr 30, 2008

These architects! They should design custom bathrooms, with mirror lock-up.

walter23 · Apr 30, 2008

Simplicius said:
As stupid questions seem to be my speciality, here goes. I am about to set up my first darkroom, got 90% of what I need now. Yippee! The planned location is the second bathroom. One concern it has along one wall an inbuilt mirror 10 foot by 3 high, it also has that warm tone glass, that tries to make you look better than you are.

Is it paranoid to wonder will the safelight reflections bouncing of this mirror at all angles change in wavelength so much that they may become unsafe ?

Or do I have too much times on my hands pondering such things.. smirks :rolleyes:

Simplicius :confused:

Safelight won't change wavelengths. Enlarging might cause some fogging though as light bounces around in the bathroom - might be a good idea to hang a dark curtain in front of the mirror while using the enlarger.

Kirk Keyes · May 1, 2008

Mirror in the bathroom
please talk free
The door is locked
just you and me.

Simplicius · May 1, 2008

RoNinHeart said:
Another "The English Beat" fan?

but of course, classic song , classic era

Gary Holliday · May 1, 2008

You can watch yourself while you are printing

RobC · May 1, 2008

Paul Howell said:
I use a second bathroom with a large mirror, the issue is not the safelight but the white light from the enlarger, my Drust has very little white light that comes out from the bulb assembly, but my Omgea D condenser head has a fair amount of light from the negative stage. I painted my mirror black with poster paint.

What do you like in it now?

Mirror in the Bathroom (Darkroom)

Simplicius

David Grenet

Kent10D

bdial

RoNinHeart

JBrunner

Moderator

removed account4

MattKing

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tac

Paul Howell

PVia

Neanderman

phenix

walter23

Kirk Keyes

Simplicius

Gary Holliday

RobC

Mirror in the Bathroom (Darkroom)

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