A method for operating a bending press, in particular a press brake, wherein the bending press comprises - a first platform with a first tool mount and a second platform with a second tool mount, wherein one of the platforms is movable relative to the other platform for performing a working movement, - a safety device for creating a light barrier, in particular laser light barrier, extending between the tool mounts (11, 12) transversely to the working movement of the movable platform, which light barrier, in a cross-section, forms a light field, wherein the safety device has a first mount, which carries a light emitter for creating the light barrier, and a second mount, which carries a light receiver for receiving the light of the light barrier, and wherein the first mount is arranged on a first side of the first platform and is adjustable relative to the first platform by a first adjustment drive, such that the position of the light barrier relative to the first tool mount can be changed in the direction of the working movement of the movable platform, - a controller that is connected to the first adjustment drive, characterized in that before a bending operation or a series of bending operations, the controller brings the first mount into a working position by controlling the first adjustment drive, in which working position the tool tip of a bending tool held by the first tool mount lies within the light field formed by the light barrier, preferably in a predefined first region of the light field, and that the controller brings the first mount into the working position depending on the shadow of the tool tip detected by the light receiver. - a first platform with a first tool mount and a second platform with a second tool mount, wherein one of the platforms is movable relative to the other platform for performing a working movement, - a safety device for creating a light barrier, in particular laser light barrier, extending between the tool mounts (11, 12) transversely to the working movement of the movable platform, which light barrier, in a cross-section, forms a light field, wherein the safety device has a first mount, which carries a light emitter for creating the light barrier, and a second mount, which carries a light receiver for receiving the light of the light barrier, and wherein the first mount is arranged on a first side of the first platform and is adjustable relative to the first platform by a first adjustment drive, such that the position of the light barrier relative to the first tool mount can be changed in the direction of the working movement of the movable platform, - a controller that is connected to the first adjustment drive, before a bending operation or a series of bending operations, the controller brings the first mount into a working position by controlling the first adjustment drive, in which working position the tool tip of a bending tool held by the first tool mount lies within the light field formed by the light barrier, preferably in a predefined first region of the light field, and that the controller brings the first mount into the working position depending on the shadow of the tool tip detected by the light receiver.