Illusions in the darkroom

tho60

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When I go to the darkroom, sometimes I experience strange illusions. As if there were small flashes, or I feel dizzy, or I "see" the darkroom equipment in total darkness.

What about this?
 
Not sure if this post is serious or not but here are my thoughts anyways:

I also feel I see things (like the Enlarger / Workbench / my own palm held up to my eyes) but this is just your brain telling you things are there because you know they are. I often hold my palm up to my eyes and I really feel I can see them but I can't - I think...

As for being dizzy and having actual illusions, not sure what to suggest. Make sure the room is ventilated, you are dealing with chemicals.

Ben
 
Balance is partially regulated by vision, so it's not unusual for some people to be dizzy in the dark. As for seeing the equipment in the dark, it's probably exactly as Ben has said. However -- have you light tested your darkroom lately? If there is light getting in somewhere (even a little bit), you'll start to see the darkroom after your eyes adjust to the darkness.

Dan
 
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This thread is not a hoax, nor I take drugs:) I have told what I experienced. I guess that small flashes are optical illusions caused by the total darkness.

I wondered whether other buddies have similar experiences or not?
 
I can see in (my) perfectly dark darkroom - until I have to see something that is not in its proper place. That is, I do not lose my spatial orientation, and do visualize my environment from that positioning and my memory. But I cannot visualize things that I do not have memorized...
 
I definitely remember wondering if I could see my hand in front of my face, or whether it was just my brain telling me it was there and making me visualize it. It makes sense -- not unusual at all. But -- I still do the coins-on-paper test periodically to make sure. Little light leaks can pop up at any time, usually where there are doors. People are not used to total darkness, and as animals, some of us instinctively avoid it and even fear it a bit. I still get a little creeped out in mine, even after hundreds of hours there.
 
I would be concerned about the 'flashes'. This could be a sign of problems with your Retina or Optical Nerves. Don't want to scare you, but I suggest a visit to your eye doctor for an evaluation. Losing your eyesight is bad enough, but if you're a photographer ...

Other wise, I sometimes think I can see things in my darkroom when everything is off, such as when loading film. That is just in your mind. As mentioned above, good ventilation is important, and, yes, being in total darkness can make some dizzy.

Good luck!
 
I would be concerned about the 'flashes'. This could be a sign of problems with your Retina or Optical Nerves. Don't want to scare you, but I suggest a visit to your eye doctor for an evaluation. Losing your eyesight is bad enough, but if you're a photographer ...

But when I go to bed, I do not experience such flashes in my bedroom. Only in total darkness.
 
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