Data Entry

A couple posts back I mentioned that I carry a notebook around with me to record data on photos that were shot with film. I got a few questions about it and figured a post might be helpful for anyone else who may want to do something similar.

For me, it’s really helpful to get a roll of film developed and be able to look back on the data I recorded for each frame. If a shot was successful, I’ll know what I did right. And if a frame blows, I’ll have at least some idea of what may’ve gone wrong.

At first, I started out with really good intentions, as pictured above. My first few rolls were meticulously gridded out and I made sure to pen everything in neatly.

Then, things sort of went downhill. I got lazy. I’d be scribbling stuff down while Chris or others waited on me. Or on a train. Or, as evidenced by my impatiently huge letters, at the beach not wanting to worry about being tidy. :)

Still, no matter if I write it down nicely or in my natural styling of chickenscratch, I’ll always be sure to document the following information:

1. Camera & Lens, if applicable.
2. Film
3. Date Loaded / Finished. Not hugely necessary as I also write down the date each frame was taken, but it’s helpful when flipping through in a hurry.
4. Frame #
5. Subject – A small description, usually just a few words like “Sunglasses bench” or “Felix bathroom rug.”
6. Date / Time. Usually the time is an approximation, but if I want to return to a scene and get the same or similar lighting it’s a big help.
7. Shutter / Aperture settings, if applicable.
8. Light Quality, if outdoors it’s usually just a note about the weather. “Sunny,” “Overcast no shadows,” “Sunset,” etc. Indoors will read “Natural,” “Morning,” “Magic Window,” “Incandescent,” etc.
9. Never Eat Shredded Wheat. Every great once in awhile I’ll note what direction I was facing when I clicked the shutter. I don’t dedicate a whole column to it – I’ll just draw a circle with an N, S, E or W inside.

This is a roll I’m yet to finish. My film shooting sort of came to a dead halt once winter rolled into town, which is nice because when I do shoot I have time to be neat and tidy yet again.

And if for some reason I don’t have my notebook with me when I shoot a frame, I’ll write the info down on a scrap of paper, receipt or in my phone and transfer it over.

Yep… I’m that anal. :)

Since writing this post I collaborated with my best friend to create a custom exposure log, which he now sells here. It’s bigger than the pocket-sized Moleskine notebooks, but the layouts help me when I’m frantically scribbling information down.