groping in the dark

Fuzzy Prints

Hoo boy. I haven't done much in the darkroom since developing the last of the film I had lying around and making some contact sheets a couple of weeks ago.

So tonight I was all excited to get at least a couple of good prints done, but instead it turns out that I've learned a new lesson. I had my chemistry all set up, I had a couple of negs picked out, set up my easel, did a couple of test strips, and then I noticed.

Dust.

Big fat goobers and hairy squiggles all over my print. Puzzled, I double-checked the negative and the carrier, blew them off with the dust gun, opened up the aperture to get a better look and there was still a ton of dust. I began taking the enlarger apart even though I had cleaned it when I had first unpasked it and had then kept it covered since, but I then noticed all of the dust inside. I wiped the condenser off with lens paper and used an anti-static cloth on the inside of the enlarger housing, but i was still seeing dust.

I gave up. If it was just a little bit of dust, it would have been one thing, but this was bad. Our house is so dry and right now in the middle of the winter that dust clings to every surface. I've found a couple of websites the offer some good advice on how to eradicate dust from the darkroom.

Here's how the plan will work for me:

• Clean everything out and paint - an all-new surface on the walls and shelves will be a good base to start from.
• Clean off all equipment - wipe down all equipment (trays, beakers, easels, power cords, etc.) with a damp cloth, vacuum out the enlarger with a mini-computer vacuum. Repeat, if necessary.
• Maintain a clean environment - frequently mop the floor (no sweeping or vacuuming, that only stirs up dust), wipe every surface before beginning new work, keep the enlarger covered and other equipment in enclosed containers wjere possible.

In the meantime, I'll book some time at the Community Darkroom to get some printing done.