Praying

Praying

  • Yes, I do pray while printing

    Votes: 6 18.2%
  • No, I don't pray while printing

    Votes: 26 78.8%
  • No, I don't pray, but I have a crucifix or icon (or other devotion sign) in my darkroom

    Votes: 1 3.0%

  • Total voters
    33

vicmortelmans

Well-known
Local time
7:37 PM
Joined
May 2, 2005
Messages
316
Hi,

very odd question probably, being used to polls on the amount of gear accumulated, but I wonder if anyone is praying when printing images. The idle time required for a print to develop or fix is sufficient for a decade, Fifteen prints get you a rosary...

:angel: :rolleyes: :angel:

Groeten,
Vic
 
We are instructed to pray continuously - so yes, and every where else too. More so when I’m driving!
 
When I used to print in the darkroom, I'd do all-night printing sessions until 7am or so. The choice of music was always crucial, by the end of the night it needed to have a beat quick enough to keep you awake, but not enough to over-agitate the trays. I always ended up in sync with it. As I recall, it usually ended up getting quite LOUD as well. At least, my swearing at the archival washer did!
 
Depending on the mood jazz, rock, classic, salsa, you name it.....
rather dance, or write down notes than pray

When prints are being developed is too late to pray, of course when you screw up exposure....
 
Last edited:
My ex-wife claimed that was what she was doing - I divorced her and never spoke to my so-called "best friend" ever again!
 
Quite often, not just when printing or even when I think that I may have screwed up
on the f-stop or shutter speed .:rolleyes:



Nikon FM3a, FM2
Leica M3
 
An interesting aside on the nature of right mindfulness. My immediate reaction was either pray or print, but then I started wondering about mixing them. Still strikes me as a bit impious, but I'm not sure it is.

Then again, what do I know?

Cheers,

R.
 
Last edited:
I always used a clock, but I suppose praying (if one is so inclined and the prayer is fairly repetitive) could substitute as a timing device.
 
freeranger said:
My ex-wife claimed that was what she was doing - I divorced her and never spoke to my so-called "best friend" ever again!

Ouch, funny bit.

No, If there are gods on Mt. Olympus they have better things to do.
 
Some whispered cursing, and I get good prints! However, I do kneel. My darkroom's ceiling is about 6'3", so the big Beseler enlarger has to sit on a very low table.

I also consider the darkroom my Sanctum Sanctorum.
 
So here is a Winogrand story related by Lee Friedlander in his intro to the book "Arrivals And Departures"...

..."In 1973, Garry went from Austin, where he was then teaching at the University of Texas, to Hartford, Connecticut, to print in Richard Benson's darkroom his pictures for the Double Elephant Press portfolio. Richard had found a Focomat enlarger like the one Garry used and set him up to match his familiar printing conditions. Garry arrived with a box that he said contained his darkroom tools, dodgers and burning tools. Out of the box, he pulled a bolo tie, a rosary, and a rabbit's foot, and hung these on the enlarger. Richard and I looked at each other in amusement. Garry saw us and said with his huge Garry smile: It can't hurt.
 
Back
Top Bottom