Evening star., 1948-11-21
Camera Ang|e les
Preparing the Darkroom for Work

washable paint will also make 1t
easier for you to swab down the
walls occasionally to get rid Of
chemical splashes.
Check Light Leaks.
Now that the place is clean 1t will
be advisable to close all openings
and make sure that no light leaks
have developed. It's too late after
you have logged a batch of film. A
tin OF plastic wood, can OF putty
and a roll of black tape will usually
take care of any leaks that have
developed because of expanding or
contracting wall panels. II light ap-
pears around the door 1t is time
that you put in new strip of felt
to make a perfect seal.
Did you work all last winter in a
sitting atmosphere? If so now Is
the time to install an adequate
ventilating system. The best setup
is q suction fan and outlet at one
end of the room and an intake with
light battle in the darkroom door.
This arrangement will keep a con-
slant flow of clean air through the
darkroom. 1t will also carry out
chemical fumes that are often HARM
full to unsealed boxes of paper and
Aim.
With the darkroom cleaned up
your next job will be to arrange
your supplies in a way that they
will be easy to locate when you need
them on a hurry. Papers and films
should be placed above bottles Of
chemicals and solutions. Liquids
should be separated from powdered
or crystal chemicals so that there
will be no possibility that they may
leak or spill into them.
And above all be sure that all
bottles are labeled correctly. There
is no place for guesswork when 1t
comes to mixing Photographic solu-
tions. II you have any poisonous
chemicals or solutions keep them in
safe place, we'll out Of the reach
OF children. Bottles Of acid are
particularly dangerous and should
be left in the well-padded cCn-
tainers In which they are packed
And 1t will be advisable to have
antidotes available in the case of
all accident.
Wiring Is Important.
Now let's take a look at some Of
the other equipment. Is your safe
light safe? Not only to the film and
paper. but to yourself. Check the
wiring and plug for frayed insula-
tion and faulty contacts. Also check
any other electrical equipment that
you may be using. Faulty wiring
near water is dangerous and should
be replaced, not fixed. II you have
previously had trouble with light
logged paper now is the time to
test the Safelight for that, too.
Close UP the darkroom. turn out all
other lights and place a test strip
Of paper on your printing easel and
another one on the spot where your
developing tray will rest. Develop
ment will reveal any Jogging from
the safe light.
We now suggest that you check
over your supply of films, chemicals
and papers. Now-before you begin
Operations-is the time to discover
whether you are out of hypo OF
hydroQuinone. In connection with
this check YOU might well examine
your stock of negatives You may
discover q number that will require
low or high contrast papers for
printing.
AS another tip. look around and
be assured that your pet formulas
are all at hand. And take a look
at your developing trays. If there
are rust spots or chipped places,
cover them with good grade OF
enamel paint to prevent rust stains
from running your prints. FerrC;ype
tins should be thoroughly cleaned
and waxed, then stored in rack
so that they will be safe from being
accidently scratched or bent out OF
shape.
Finally, after all is shipshape and
in first-class order. make up. your
mind to keep your darkroom this
way till the first breath of spring is
in the air. you grab up your camera
and are off again to shoot more
pictures.