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 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 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 . <EOS>