Why a bathroom makes a bad darkroom...

Ratman667 · Jan 16, 2011

Until I get my spare closet converted into a darkroom or get a changing bag, I have been using the bathroom. Tack a blanket over the door and stuff another in the crack at the bottom to block out light.

I was trying to load some film onto a spool when someone decided to ignore the sign on the door and barge in...

I stuffed the film under my shirt as fast as I could and slammed the door closed.

Over half the roll came out like this:

PICT0017.jpg by Ratman667, on Flickr

There weren't any great images on the film, I was mostly just killing time and money when I shot that roll, but I still got lucky with how well the still developed.

christopher walrath · Jan 16, 2011

If anything those marks indicate increased agitation, not exposure due to barging.

Ratman667 · Jan 16, 2011

Could be... However, I didn't do anything different this time and the other roll I developed with this one came out fine. That's why I assumed that it was from the unwanted exposure. However, I may be wrong... I just started developing my own film last month.

Nevertheless the moral of the story is the same.

Josh66 · Jan 16, 2011

I'm no expert, but to me it looks like what Ratman originally described. Assuming that the film was rolled up, not flat.

Looks like light coming through the sprocket holes of the layer(s) on top of the frame.

Ratman667 · Jan 16, 2011

^ That's what I thought as well. The film was rolled in my hand.

Overread · Jan 16, 2011

Next time lock the door

Or sing really loudly and offkey

Buckster · Jan 16, 2011

1. Changing bags are cheap.
2. Locks work really well.

Ratman667 · Jan 16, 2011

Ordered a changing bag a little bit ago.

My bathroom doesn't have a lock.

Buckster · Jan 16, 2011

Ratman667 said:
Ordered a changing bag a little bit ago.

My bathroom doesn't have a lock.

A hook and loop is about $1.29, so that might be something to consider.

Josh66 · Jan 16, 2011

Just make a recording of some really explosive 'bathroom activity' and play that when you're working with the film. Everyone will stay far away. :lmao: