Stand or sit

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Hi,

Does it matter whether one stands or sits before his enlarger making prints? Seems like standing is more the usual way. Does it affect one's printing quality? Does anyone know of any studies being done on this subject?

Many Thanks,

Aaron

-- Aaron (ngaaron@singnet.com.sg), February 25, 2002

Answers

:-)

Aaron, Is this a serious question?? :-)

:-)

-- Huib Smeets (hsmeets@plex.nl), February 25, 2002.


I've rigged up a swing, so both my hands and feet are free for dodging and burning. Also, laying in a hammock greatly reduces wash times.

-- Chris Jordan www.jordanphoto.com (gazebophoto@hotmail.com), February 25, 2002.

Stand in front of the enlarger.....or.....sit in front of the computer; Hmmmm...maybe that's why digital is winning the war.

-- Jim Galli (jimgalli@lnett.com), February 25, 2002.

Aaron just has a HARD time making decisions. New generation, you know, you know, you know.

-- Alec (alecj@bellsouth.net), February 25, 2002.

When using an 8x10 Elwood most people kneel in front of it. As far as print quality vs. position sounds like a great MFA thesis.

-- Chuck Pere (jcpere@aol.com), February 25, 2002.


Yes there are studies (of similar situations, I don't know of any on the enlarger). Until fatigue sets in, standing is more efficient, thus presumably you also get better prints. A good compromise is a using a tall stool to rest your bumm between prints.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), February 25, 2002.

Aaron,

Everything matters. You apparently already know that planting you tongue firmly in your cheek is good. Some people think that if there are sparrows on the ground outside your door, that helps. Others hope for a halo around the moon. If I were you, I would stand or I would sit. But while enlarging I would not late at night lie down.

-- Michael Alpert (alpert@umit.maine edu), February 25, 2002.


I have a swivel stool, like dentists use. Like it a lot. You can get cheap, reasonable quality "models" at Costco for about $40. -jeff buckels

-- jeff buckels (jeffbuck@swcp.com), February 25, 2002.

Aaron, I kneel before the Elwood. It sort of makes darkroom work more spiritual. Hmmm, maybe I'll play a recording of Gregorian Chants next time I fire up the old 8x10 just for inspiration...........Cheers! -----John

-- John Kasaian (www.kasai9@aol.com), February 25, 2002.

Stand to compose, Sit to expose. A good habit to keep you from dancing into the enlarger during dodging & burning.

-- John Forrest Grunke (johngrunke@msn.com), February 25, 2002.


:)... it depends..

I use a stool at the big sink for developing films... I tried the stool for the enlarger didn't like it... It's important that you adjust the height of your enlarger.. too high you won't have a good view... too low you will strain your neck...

Kneeling in front of your enlarger is also good..if you pray at the same time while struggling with a "hard to print" negative... :) LOL

-- dan n. (dan@egmail.com), February 25, 2002.


I only have this dilemna walking into the bathroom.

-- Donald Brewster (dpbrewster@prodigy.net), February 25, 2002.

To: John - - Above:

Good poem. Reminds me of the Doctor version.

"Big Dr. - big incision Little Dr. - little incision Good Dr. - right incision Bad Dr. - indecision."

-- Steve Feldman (steve@toprinting.com), February 25, 2002.


Forget the enlarger posture, it is the grain magnifier that is giving me neckaches. If only they could digitize that.

-- Andrew Held (Heldarc@yahoo.com), February 25, 2002.

Thanks Bill, for that tall stool idea. I could use that tip.

Seriously, anyone else with some thoughts? In the book, "Art & Fear" the authors wrote that hemmingway had his typewriter at elbow level while typing on standing position. His ideas flow better this way. Similiar, some other artists found that a change in routine adversely affects their creative flows. I have found it true in my own experiences other than photography. Thanks.

-- Aaron (ngaaron@singnet.com.sg), February 25, 2002.



It depends on what you are wearing, If I am wearing a white shirt and black pants, I stand, if I'm weraring a black shirt and no ... well you get the idea. Dean

-- (dvlastor@sfu.ca), February 27, 2002.

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