Notebooks/Journals

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sweathog

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Hello guys and girls.

I set myself a standard this year, that I would endevour to keep a journal of all things photographic I did this year. For me this includes settings (e.g. ISO) and weather/lighting when I'm shooting, darkroom timings and measurements to general mullings on photography.

I doubt I am the only one here who does it; I'm asking if you do, and if so why do you do it?

Tom
 
I record the following into the smaller Molskine hardcover notebooks. Have done this for the past ten years or so, using those old red chipboard dimestore notebooks at first.

• Roll Number: this is the number the negative page & proofsheet will have
• Film + ISO
• Development intended-: N, or N- (sun), or N+ (cloudy)- any pushes or pulls noted here too.
• Camera body/Lens/filter: to be more able to track down any camera/lens troubles. I started this after one of my 3 F4 bodies needed a meter repair and I didn't know which one it was.
• Place/Subject

This has been a great tool, no more confusing films come developing day- especially when there are 11 rolls of HP5 and I have only 10 spaces in the tank and I need to run one in particular.
 
I record my thoughts and ideas for the future, but not shooting/developing details etc.

I find this really usefull when Im travelling, as I will write my thoughts about a place down in the eveing after Ive been shooting, and if I go back to the same place at a later time these thoughts are often really helpfull, especially if I had noted that perhaps a different time or weather etc would be better for the place.
 
Moleskine. However, I usually only use it to record directions to a shoot, or names/addresses/emails of people I've promised photos or scans to. When I shoot an event (for fun, not working), I will get names and so on if I can so that I can match 'em up later when I upload to Flickr or otherwise put 'em online.

Moleskines are great because they slip in a pocket, but they open flat and can be written on without finding something flat to lay it down on. Very convenient, rugged, well-made. Not really that expensive, either.
 
I use cheap notebooks I can buy in bulk at an office supply store. I then enter the info in an excel spreadsheet.

Bob
 
If I am testing film, then I'll make some detailed notes on whatever is handy. Seems like that's all I'm doing these days since I have so much outdated stock to sift through...

Otherwise I'll make any notes I need as to processing/etc by marking the roll with a sharpie as it comes out of the camera. I never really write much down. I don't keep track of exposures, or what camera/lens I used for a roll, etc. Those kind of records never interested me all that much.
 
I always like the "http://www.riteintherain.com" FIELD 353 4 5/8" x 7" spiral bound. Pages are completely waterproof & you can indeed write in pencil on it in the rain. Thick poly covers (stiff enough to write on).
robert
 
My darkroom diary is pretty long-lived also. I'm into the 8th volume, not including individual sheets used for final print notes.
 
(Muses to himself: What, I'm not the only one here not watching the Super Bowl?)

I've been thinking about this myself, and I might get hold of a nice little journal dedicated just to this . (Yeah, perhaps a Moleskine, although I've been sort of leaning towards Excompta as a more-consistant and, pardoxically, cheaper alternative ).


- Barrett
 
I carry a small Moleskine notebook and a fountain pen. It's two books in one. Front towards the back I do some journalling. Starting at the back page and working towards the front I keep photo notes. Nothing extensive, but because I use several film cameras I like to keep track of what film is in each one, where I was shooting, any special information such as which lenses I used, and when the film has been developed by me or taken to the lab, I tick off the entry as a completed roll. I add developing data to the rolls I process myself. It doesn't take long once you get into the habit of doing it.

Gene
 
The Moleskin seems to be very popular! I use one to record lens and exposure info when doing night photography, but rarely for daytime shooting.

I keep far more extensive processing notes in a "darkroom cookbook" file on my computer. It's proven to be invaluable as a resource and quite a simple pleasure as a diary.

-J.
 
I have a darkroom log -- dates, devs, temperatures, times -- and when you're shooting there are obvious reasons to note down where you were or the names of people to send pics to. If I'm testing a camera for a magazine I (sometimes) note what lens I was using, too.

On the other hand, I've never been able to see any point whatsoever in recording exposure detail, because unless you are working under controlled lighting with a fixed subject you're never going to take exactly the same picture again. Nor have I ever met a professional who could see the point in it.

I can imagine a tiny advantage in recording how you modified your exposure reading -- 'incident minus 1/3 stop' or whatever -- but what do you learn otherwise?

Cheers,

R.
 
I'm with Roger on recording exposure settings, I tried it but then realised I either forgot to do it most of the time and for those that I did I didn't know what to do.

However, I have found recording what I metered off quite handy.

I used to like Moleskines a lot, but they are expensive and only the 'Sketchbook' type has paper good for use with a fountain pen (well, mine anyway). I now use the little books from Muji (99p each) which have nice paper, are stitched spine and you can glue lots of stuff inside without them falling apart.
 
Roger Hicks said:
...I've never been able to see any point whatsoever in recording exposure detail, because unless you are working under controlled lighting with a fixed subject you're never going to take exactly the same picture again...Cheers,

R.
Click to expand...

I've seen folks who do this, make a negative then spend a good deal more time writing it all down, thus missing the next three images. Shame. There was someone much read years back who advocated this approach- write everything down that you do for a year or some such- seems like the opposite approach I take with students. I have them shoot a lot and make all the mistakes they can, then look at the successes & mistakes side by side. After a few weeks they are seeing the reasons for the mistakes, and a week later starting to prevent them. The shoot & note method seems like it would make shooting a lot of film impossible.
 
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For a beginner or student to be able to look at a picture and also see the exposure settings used is very helpful in the basic understanding of camera fuctions, but beyond that I cant see the point in recording camera settings.

I can see the point though in recording your thoughts on your photography and life! If nothing else this type of journal will give greater meaning to your photographs in the future, and whether you are the next Edward Weston, and the whole world gets to read them, or just your childern and grandchildren etc read them, its invaluable.

On the subject of reading I was given a book for Christmas by Geoff Dyer titled "The ongoing moment" it's not a journal, but a very interesting, informative and entertaining view on reading photographs. It's a great book that's well worth reading, I cant imagine any photographer could read it and not think differently about there own work afterwards.
 
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