Setup question

I've seen several posts where the color of a darkroom is mentioned but haven't been able to find much more info. If I missed a post could someone who knows the link post it.

My darkroom situation is that it is in my bathroom which is painted a light green. The enlarger is in the corner next to one green wall with a huge counterlength mirror behind it. I have seen it posted on here to have the wall by your enlarger black and I thought someone mentioned having the rest of the room white? Why is that? Will the mirror behind the enlarger cause a problem.

Before deciding to make my bathroom a darkroom also, I had been toying with the idea of painting it a dark green and would rather know now if I should or not. I don't have a problem hanging black material in the area of the enlarger.

I am only processing black and white prints if that makes a difference and I haven't even started that yet.

Thanks!

I guess the arguement is black cuts down on reflections from enlarger light leaks. The white reflects your safelight better giving you a brighter room.

You've got a small room likely so the safelight issue isn't likely to be big. I think before painting the room black I'd fix any enlarger leaks and then consider a piece of black painted cardboard or maybe just paper.

So I'm saying paint it like a bathroom.

I agree with Nick. The only potential problem I see with your current setup is the mirror. That, however, is easily solved by covering it with construction paper.

Office supply and crafts places sell black cardboard backdrops for science fair style displays. These are tri-fold and free-standing and should wrap around the back and part way around the sides of the enlarger. The black ones I've seen are pretty flat textured. This would block the mirror, be fast to set up, and easy to stow behind a desk, dresser, etc. when not in use. As long as the height is good for blocking the mirror from the enlarger head and/or easel, I'd think it would work well. Cost is about $4 or so.

Lee

I used to have a similar setup (I'm lazy... I never covered up the mirror) and never saw any effects on my prints however for the trouble of a piece of black card or paper, it's probably worth doing. One less thing to worry about.