Film Shooters - Your Assistance Needed

[bayernfan]

Taking a poll for a product idea I'm working on.

Those of you that like to keep track of information as it pertains to shooting film (field notes, etc):

1. What information would you consider to be the most important and mandatory to record? In other words, which labeled sections would you find beneficial in a "field journal"?

2. What information would you consider to be the most important to convey to a lab regarding the processing of your film?

Thanks!

 

[mbisc]

I always develop my film, so I can't answer #2.

Here is what I currently record (in a tiny spiral-bound notebook):

- location
- date
- title for image (e.g. details on location etc.)
- f-stop, shutter speed, filter (if any) & lens

Camera & film applies to the whole trip or "project," so I don't repeat that for every image

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I do tend to shoot more than one film or speed so I would add

Film speed rating (if not shot at box speed)

 

[Deleted member 65559]

#2 First - Learn to process your own film. If you can cook an omelette...you can process B/W film. If you don't, you will never have ultimate control over your photographs.

#1 - what I record depends on my needs at the time: location (landscapes), person's name (portraits & events). Personally I keep track of lighting conditions, processing (n, n-, n+). Other than that, I spend more time being where i am and making the images.

 

[LCSmith]

I do not keep a record of what I am shooting when I am shooting film. If I did, I would record f-stop, shutter speed, and subject matter.

 

[sepiareverb]

I carry a notebook and when a roll comes out of a camera I note:

• roll number
• development needed (N, +1 etc.)
• film type and ISO
• camera/lens/filter
• place
• date

 

[css9450]

I probably need to start recording which lens I use. I have three different 35s for my Nikon S2, for example. These past couple rolls? I used all three of them.

 

[Doug]

I was going to say I don't record notes in the field, but in reflection that's not quite true. The notes have been made as a tourist in a strange place: Location, subject identification for each shot. Date, time, film, camera, lens for the general group.

I kept a note-pad and pen in my pocket and made notes as I shot. Then I kept a 4x6 numbered file card for each roll shot, with both general data and specific notes on the shots taken. The specific info usually comes from memory but if there are written field notes that is added too. I include development notes and which frames were printed, and the disposition of prints.

After 1984 (Macintosh!) I transferred the file card info to a database file, which I continue to use today. I do still occasionally make field notes on trips to track subject ID primarily, using those check registers that come with a new order of bank checks, usually receiving more than I need for banking purposes.

 

[valdas]

#1 camera/lens/film/f stop/exposure
#2 I do it myself. If I ask a lab to develop a color film, the only info they would need to know if they need to push.

 

[bayernfan]

#2 First - Learn to process your own film. If you can cook an omelette...you can process B/W film. If you don't, you will never have ultimate control over your photographs.

Does this apply to C41 and E6 as well?

I probably need to start recording which lens I use. I have three different 35s for my Nikon S2, for example. These past couple rolls? I used all three of them.

I have a habit of doing this as well .

Thank you all for the input so far. Exactly what I'm needing. I'm keeping a tally of items, those that are requested the most will definitely be included.

 

[rfaspen]

I'm no different than most posts so far:

1. Information:
Date
Location or overall shoot theme
Lens
Film (and speed)
SS and f-stop
important detail of the exposure if it seems warranted (e.g., "I was panning for the bike in front", or "I wanted to ensure shadow detail in the area to left", or "this portrait is Mike L. and he owns the bike shop")

2. Info for lab:
I develop all my B+W, so no info to pass because I'm the lab.
I have color developed by a lab. Usually nothing to pass along, but very infrequently a push/pull instruction.

Good luck with the product!

 

[ptpdprinter]

I don't keep field notes for my 35mm and 120 work. I keep temporary information on exposure and development for my 4x5 work.

 

[bayernfan]

I don't keep field notes for my 35mm and 120 work. I keep temporary information on exposure and development for my 4x5 work.

Yes, I understand. I envision needing to tailor the product for both roll and sheet film. Thanks.

 

[narsuitus]

I usually develop my own black & white film. However, one night, I could not because I was arrested with the rioters I was photographing. I had two seconds to pass my film to another photographer from my newspaper with the instructions, "push process two-stops."

 

[nukecoke]

1. date/camera/film
2. Haven't used lab for 8 years.

 

[shimokita]

General: Camera & film detail including ISO
Frame: lens, exposure, exposure compensation, filter, location (this might be general), frame detail (if applicable)

Info for development: ISO if not box, developer (or what lab to use based on which developer they use), develop only (no prints), don't mount (e.g. reversal film)

 

[pixelated]

I rarely record notes in the field, however, after processing I mark the negative sleeve with date, film, developer and dilution, and a either location or description of the event.

For rolls going to a lab, I do my own B&W, and I never push color film, so usually the only instructions are how I'd like the film cut (or not).

 

[znapper]

1. What information would you consider to be the most important and mandatory to record? In other words, which labeled sections would you find beneficial in a "field journal"?

Year - Camera - Lens - Film - EI - Developer - Development time
Everything recorded after development, never in the field.
For scans I record the same, a little more text only, sometimes tagging people or themes.
I keep a backup-record on scans by using the file-name, which contain the same information in short form.

2. What information would you consider to be the most important to convey to a lab regarding the processing of your film?

Thanks!

I don't use labs =)

 

[michaelwj]

I don't keep notes, apart form the EI I used for that roll. It helps when it comes time to develop the film at home, and ...

For C41 and E6 I use a lab, and I let them know if they should push (or pull) a stop or two.

 

[Erik van Straten]

If you start using film, you have to start an archive too.

Start an archive with negative stock sheets and number them. Note day, month an year every time you insert a new film. This is much more important than anything else.

Erik.