[sarcasm]My fantastic day[/sarcasm]

[s|o|u|p| my antidrug]

Photography sucked today,I couln't have bought a break.My first 8x10 was off center and somehow came up missing missing,So I tried to make another one.I was in the darkroom and I dropped my negatives,not a big deal...until they got stepped on and scrached all to hell.So I was in sorta a bad mood by then.I tried to make another print,I get it exposed and drop it in the developer and wait....and wait....and wait...nothing,a white sheet with a few splotches of grey.I just wanted to cry.Ever since then,all I can think about is how badly I messed up.I dont know why its getting to me so bad,I just can't forget about it.

I was just wondering if those of you with more experience have days like this.I guess I would feel better if I knew I wasnt the only one who has days like this.

[shesells]

Hi, I can certainly sympathise with you. I've been there myself when I was taking a photo class. I finally went digital, thinking it would stop, but no.. My first day of a trip, my tripod fell with my camera attached and landed right on the sidewalk. I can't beleive it was ok. still holding my breath. Then I forgot to turn off the date function and ruined a bunch of pics from a place I've never been. Every time I go out, basically there is some goof up I do.. so welcome to the world of photography. The problem is, it means too much to us, so we are bound to make mistakes. i even dropped my telephoto lens (expensive) the very first time I used it lol. It was ok too but bent. Just keep plugging away.
Kit

[mtbbrian]

A bad day in the darkroom is FAR better than a good day at work!
Not only that, there are several of us here(myself included) that would die for a chance to get back into "the darkroom" and do what you are doing.

But to answer your question. Like a lot of artistic, creative, athletic endeavor you have your days when you "are on", nailing every move, making all the right corrections, etc.
Then there are days, when you can't get a thing right at all.
So don't dwell on the bad days, take a few days off from printing. Do something else!
Then get back into the darkroom!
Oh Welcome to PR.com! Make sure you post some of your images in the forums here, especially the Critique Forum!
Brian

[another view]

I just posted what I did today in Adina's thread "Give me your worst...". Hey, it's only money...

[mjs1973]

I spent about 5 hours in the darkroom the other day and walked away with next to nothing. I was drained and very dissapointed. But on the other hand, it made me want to get back into the darkroom and prove to myself that I could do it. I went back the next day and did everything that I wanted to do the day before, in about half the time I spent the day befor. I didn't see it as a waste of time, but as a great learning experiance. Take a breather and then get back in there and git-r-done!

Michael