I went a little crazy with the printing this weekend. I spent a total of 14 hours in the darkroom...most of which was on a Saturday with no one there (just me and all the chemicals).Well to some, this may seem like a rather pathetic way to spend a Saturday...doing homework.But,I know that if you have ever fallen in love with the process of printing the way that I have, you know how easy it is to lose track of time in there. Every time I see the image appear in the developer, I have this moment that I can only describe as childish glee. It is like watching fireworks explode and it is simply...magical.
I realized that in the darkroom I can be alone and not speak to a soul for hours and be entirely comfortable with that. More importantly, I feel comfortable, in fact I love being alone with myself and my thoughts (something that does not often happen).
I have brought several people to the darkroom who have never been in one before, there response is usually: "Wow this is cool, but creepy" and I guess it is, but I love it. I love the softly, glowing, orange light. I love the smell of the appallingly, strong and poisonous chemicals, and the sound of the constantly running water. It is my favorite place to be on this campus and when I haven't been in it for awhile, I get an urge to go visit it. It is, as I discovered, my place in the dark where I can truly love myself...Have you found your dark place?
No comments:
Post a Comment