Photo logs... ?

[kkraczek]

For those that still use film, how do you record your settings? I find it tedious to write everything down, especially if I'm out and about. I was considering getting a voice recorder. Does anyone use pre-filled photo logs? I can't seem to find any. Thanks for any advice on how to make this necessary task easier!

[kkraczek]

C'mon guys, please help me out... do you actually stop after each photo and write down your info? Aren't there any shortcuts?

[Dave E.]

OK - I'll give it a shot. I used to write down exposure information in a small pocket sized notebook. I included date, location, subject, type of film, weather conditions, lens, filter type, etc.

I used the recorded data when viewing the prints and negatives when they returned from the lab. The lab also provided information on the negative density. I actually wrote the exposure data on the back of the prints for a while. I definitely believe that this helps improve your abilities in getting properly exposed film.

Now, with digital, the camera does all that for me. Now, I don't use the data, but I do pay attention to the camera's histogram on each exposure.

How's that?

-Dave-

[kkraczek]

EEK, so everyone really does stop after each and every picture to write all that stuff down? I'm definitely looking into a voice recorder...

Thanks for your help, Dave!

[Mig]

Well, let me put it this way. I had one of those little pocket sized notebooks too. My last entry is from St Patrick's Day......2001. Yeah. It was actually my second entry. I couldn't stick with it, so I just focused (no pun intended) on making sure I did a DOF preview so I could see the effects of the aperture/distance relationships, etc. I could pretty much figure out if I used too slow a shutter speed from the results. Admittedly it's harder to learn that way, but I was often just too busy shooting to document. One of the many (many, many!) things I love about the 10D, is having all that information at my fingertips.

I think a voice recorder definitely sounds like a good idea for you though.

Danielle

[kkraczek]

Well, let me put it this way. I had one of those little pocket sized notebooks too. My last entry is from St Patrick's Day......2001.

LOL! Well at least now I don't feel so bad! Thanks for the idea... it does sound more difficult, but the determined-to-do-as-little-paperwork-as-possible in me loves it. ;) Soooo... it's either that or a voice recorder, until I can afford a D-rebel.

[Pose]

I got a little log book when I signed up for NYIP. It has everything important in columns, so you just have to jot down a couple of numbers. I never use it though, guess it'd help for when I bracket.

[carney2]

Years ago I took one of those "It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium" tours of Western Europe. I wrote nothing down. It took me three years to organize those shots because I didn't know what I was looking at and/or where on the continent I happened to be. Some of them are a mystery to this day. I learned my lesson. I now carry a notebook and follow three simple rules.

1. I only make a record when I am doing volume shooting and there could be a mix-up (see above) or when I see a need for technical information (see below).

2. When doing "volume shoots," I will always record subject and place. This is not a terrible inconvenience because, like many of you, I will frequently blow an entire roll (probably much more) in one location. In this case, a single comment for that entire roll may suffice. Example: Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon N.P. @ Sunrise, 7/15.

3. When I am bracketing or taking serious control of a shot such that I will want to know how to recreate it, I will record the aperture, speed and other settings. Maybe I'm wrong, but this doesn't happen all that often.

[kkraczek]

Thanks for the help... the main reason that I still need to record EVERYTHING is that I'm still learning. This morning is a perfect example. I didn't bracket, and didn't write anything down. Guess what? My butterfly shots were underexposed. Drats! Once again, lesson learned.

I should be receiving my recorder tomorrow... hopefully that will make it easier for me!

Thanks again!