Do you keep a Journal? A photo one?

[mtbbrian]

So I have been reading Edward Weston's day books and I have been thinking keeping a journal, not so much like he did, which was more of daily happenings as well as his philosphies and what not.

I have been thinking of keeping one and keeping it stricly about photography, what photographs I want to, thoughts on photography, etc.

So I was wondering if any of you keep a photography journal.
What do you write in it?

If you keep a traditional journal too, speak up!

Brian

[drg]

I've pretty much always kept a journal or book of some type for work. With technical photography, like a lot of the architectural/construction documentation and industrial still work I've done, it has been a requirement.

Prior to the advent of cameras that recorded everything, exposure, ISO, lens (including the serial number), TOD, general weather including temp (focus changes with temp, etc), wind when outside, subject and/or brief description of like frames if not each one. I even recorded battery changes from time to time just to keep track of how long they lasted so as to catch a camera problem early. Had a D100 personal camera that played battery tricks.

The audio recording/memo option on some compact digital cameras is a nice addon as they can be tucked into a pocket. Or if you have enough memo capacity in your phone/pda/blackberry/edge device of choice, you can just record a voice memo or 50. I have one aquaintance who has digital recorder mounted right on their camera strap.

I also make notes when working about places I see that I want to revisit and shoot again. I use the record function to make a verbal not on a Canon G5 and take a snap too jog my visual memory as well. Besides, if driving you can hardly whip out the notebook and scrawl away. Sometimes just ideas for future shoots I will just write down.

The camera bags always have pen and notebooks (I don't use a pencil for obvious reasons).

CDP

[readingr]

When I started with my new Canon AE1 in 1980 I used to keep a log of photographs taken and settings. Then I went through a long gap where all I seemed to take were snaps which did not warrant a notebook.

Now that I have started again I do tend to make notes and use the computer to capture them. I always carry a pad and pen to capture ideas locations etc. The camera now records many of the details I used to log so its now just location weather etc.

I keep meaning to print out the notes with the contact sheet but not sure if the software I have allows that yet. Must find time to play with the software.

[Gerry Widen]

I have a small journal which I use to record exposures and notes. In my street shooting I often don't have time to meter so sometimes I'll meter after the shot to see how I did and make notes which might be helpful for developing the negatives. I took some subway shots that came out well and I used the settings next time. I'm however inconsistent and sometimes don't bother taking notes. I think it is a good idea however.

[Dzerzhinski46]

Dear Brian,

I keep exposure and aperture recordings for most of my pictures. That way I don't forget settings for difficult situations (quite irksome when I don't record the settings!). I also maintain (occasionally update more like ) a blog where I record my thoughts and philosophies about photography. If you are looking for a model, go to my website. Not the most stellar of examples, but it is the best I can do.

Dzerzhinski

[megan]

I keep sketchbook/journals. I go in spurts, though, like everything else. I'll be good about it for awhile, then it will gather dust. Then I'll get back into it. I need to get back into it, though, it keeps the creative juices going.

I did "morning pages" religiously for about a year, but stopped because I felt like I was wallowing and dwelling on stuff. I got to a point where I felt morning pages were holding me back and were negative!

(Morning pages are sort of a daily purge, for more info, see "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron.)

Megan

[mtbbrian]

(Morning pages are sort of a daily purge, for more info, see "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron.)Megan

Thanks everyone for responding! I think I was looking more for a reply like Megan's.
I have heard of Julia cameraon, but not that particular book.
For Christmas, I got myself "On Being A Photographer", you can find it at lenswork.com.

Yesterday, I wrote in my "Photo Journal" for the first time. I wrote about what I want to write about, and a few other thoughts on photography in it.

Brian

[megan]

Brian, someone sent me this link recently, and I thought you (and others here) would dig it.
It's one woman's online photo journal - and she shoots toy! A Horizon panoramic.

http://www.makinghappy.com/

enjoy. make happy. better yet, make photos.

megan

[Dzerzhinski46]

It's one woman's online photo journal - and she shoots toy! A Horizon panoramic.

Megan-

I ran across a book several months ago by Jeff Bridges (yes the actor, Hearts of the West , Seabiscut ). It was a book full of photos he did while on various movie sets. He is really quite a fantastic photographer, and the book is worth a look. Oh, and by way of making this relevant to the discussion, he used a Widelux for all the shots. All black and white too. Very cool book.

Dzerzhinski

[mtbbrian]

I do like this site Megan, thanks for posting it!
I have been shooting a lot more Holga stuff lately, I am at exposure 8 or 9. I think I will have some good images on it too!

I have heard of Jeff Bridges book, it seems like an interesting one.

I will have some more time to myself this next week and will continue to write in my photo journal.
Brian