Quirks!

[Melvin J Bramley]

Whilst developing film, how many of you close your eyes whilst loading a reel in the dark?

 

[Brendan Quirk]

I may be a Quirk, but I keep my eyes wide open!!

 

[JerseyDoug]

I hadn't thought about it before but I am practically certain that I close my eyes when I load a reel in the changing bag. I say this because I have a very good visual memory and have absolutely no recollection of ever seeing the operation from outside the bag.

 

[awty]

I may be a Quirk, but I keep my eyes wide open!!

Yes, you are a Quirk. I to keep my eyes open when loading in the darkroom, as I have had the door not closed properly or left a dim light on like a LED. My eyes don't immediately adjust to the dark.

 

[Truzi]

When using a changing bag I either close my eyes, or look up and off to the side.

 

[Don_ih]

I keep them open and look at the numbers on the Gralab timers.

 

[Anon Ymous]

No, I don't.

 

[Ian C]

Usually not. But I think that we’ve all done this automatically from time to time. It seems to focus our attention on our tactile sense. Obviously, touch and sound are all we have to guide us in loading film in total darkness.

 

[Daniela]

I do and everyone else should too. That's how the photography goddesses know you're serious and bless you with magnificent pictures

 

[kykr]

I do too. For some reason it just seems to work better for me, and most of the time I’m using a changing bag.

 

[Neal]

I do too. For some reason it just seems to work better for me, and most of the time I’m using a changing bag.

+1

 

[Valerie]

I close my eyes if running into a snag in the bag. Helps me think better.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I was told to do that by a coworker amateur photographer decades ago. I found that that worked better for me and I still do it when I work with a changing bag. Part of the reason it works with a changing bag is that nothing in the room can distract me.

 

[fiddle]

hm, I keep them open. Its pitch black, cant see anything anyway. I usually load on my darkrooms counter.

 

[bimmey]

And I thought I was the only one that did that.

 

[MattKing]

I prefer Quarks: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/about-quirks-quarks-1.4348224
And I leave my eyes open

 

[Roger Thoms]

Eyes open, unless I’m having trouble, then I close them.

Roger

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

I prefer Quarks: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/about-quirks-quarks-1.4348224
And I leave my eyes open

A wonderful show, totally agree.
I still miss Vinyl Cafe with Stewart McLean.

 

[Rick A]

I had a friend in high school who learned to load film with his eyes closed. First time he loaded a roll in the darkroom he closed his eyes and spooled the film, then opened his eyes to realize the lights were still on. I leave my eyes open.

 

[VinceInMT]

Yes, I see better in the dark with my eyes closed.

 

[HowieP]

Don't close my eyes when loading a reel but sometimes do so when printing while agitating trays, usually while thinking about something unrelated. Have no idea why.

 

[Mal Paso]

Eyes open. I never replaced the changing bag and hope I never have to.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I keep my eyes open when in the darkroom or using a changing bag. I tell my students, who are struggling with the bag, to keep them closed. It seems to help ... and stops them from being distracted by their phones!

 

[Edgy01]

As my friend Spock would say, that is illogical. Eyes wide open.

 

[gordrob]

Eyes open, unless I’m having trouble, then I close them.

Roger

Same here