Recording Photo Data

[dcsang]

Do you record the data when you shoot your film shots? I figure digital users (RD-1, Leica M8 eventually) will have EXIF data that they can refer to but I'm curious if you film shooters ever record the information.

I know I do.. I have my Moleskin ( LOVE THE MOLESKIN !!! ) that I carry with me to record the data ( aperture, shutter, lens, film, subject, date.. ) I find it helpful and handy to look back on the data when I see a shot has come out "good" rather than "poorly".

Cheers
Dave

 

[furcafe]

I've used an application called Fotolog on my Palm PDAs for the last 5 years. Even w/the R-D1, I still record aperture, lens, & location data. Similarly, although I have a databack for my G2, I still record aperture, lens, & location data in the Palm when using that camera.

 

[physiognomy]

I always plan to and have my moleskin/notebook at the ready, but rarely ever actually do it... Recently I got in a bind where most of my cameras had film in them, but I had no idea what kind! I'm plannning on getting better...

Peter

 

[DMG]

what happens when you writing in your book and miss "that" shot?

 

[GeneW]

I sometimes slip a little notebook and pen into my back pocket with the intention of writing down this info. When I get home, I'm always surprised to find I was carrying it. Not once have I ever remembered to use it... good idea, though

Gene

 

[bmicklea]

I've wanted to do more of this but I feel caught: on one hand my best shots seem to come when I get into a groove and can be focused on just shooting (everything else seems to just dissolve); on the other hand as a new and generally unspectacular photographer I'm sure I could benefit from breaking that rhythm and recording the photo data.

I've just started with the moleskin so I'll see how that goes. I gave the Palm thing a try but I guess I'm too much of a luddite to enjoy it

 

[varjag]

I tried keeping the log, but it didn't work for me. I found that aperture/shutter speed combo is either dictated by circumstances or selected due to my preference, so the data recorded provided no useful insights.

But if you visit numerous locations or interact with your subjects it still might be a good idea.

 

[furcafe]

Doesn't happen. I shoot 1st, take notes later. It's not that big a deal for me because I don't change camera settings that often & when I do, it's usually something minor (e.g., stopped down to f/2 or changed to 1/15th sec.) that I can remember later even if I don't record it immediately. I also only rarely find myself in situations where I'm quickly shooting roll after roll w/no little or no breaks.

Besides, per Brett Weston, nothing worth photographing could ever happen when I'm taking notes, just like when I'm loading film.

what happens when you writing in your book and miss "that" shot?

 

[rover]

My real answer would be...

I would like to, but I always forget what it was.

 

[rpsawin]

A small microcasette recorder works well. The major drawback is that in this day and age the combination of taking a photograph and then speaking into a recorder will get you noticed.

Bob

 

[Kin Lau]

I've thought of putting a sticky on the back of my MF folders with the red windows, just so I can write down and remember whether I've actually taken a shot yet, and whether I need to wind on.

 

[kshapero]

I sometimes slip a little notebook and pen into my back pocket with the intention of writing down this info. When I get home, I'm always surprised to find I was carrying it. Not once have I ever remembered to use it... good idea, though

Gene

I kinda have the same experience.

 

[back alley]

Do you record the data when you shoot your film shots?

no.
never.
not ever.
nope.
nah.

it's not rocket science, large aperture, fast shutter speed, dof, motion etc.
practice practice practice improve

 

[RayPA]

I don't, or rather can never seem to remember or be bothered to do it. It's just not that important to me. I always try to shoot at the same shutter speed for the various situations. I usually shoot 400 film speed, and regardless I write the film type on the canister.

I usually use different camera bodies and lenses for different situations, so I usually know when I see the negatives which camera I used (and therefore which lenses). If possible I try to take one mirror self-portrait shot (somewhere on the roll) to remind me of the body I used and lens set and/or the "featured" lens. Yes I have lots of these types of shots.

The only issues I have are with unfinished rolls sitting in camera bodies—keeping track whether the film is color or black and white. But since I don't bulk load color, I put the box end tab from the color film in the camera case or in the bag. It's not perfect, but for me the important data is the camera, lens, film and developer—all that gets logged on the negative sleeves. My PS file structure is based on camera/film/dev/dilution/time/temp.

 

[Bryce]

I use a meter except when sunny 16 applies. So, what for, outside of film tests and such?

 

[Dougg]

I don't usually record data as I take the shots except for "touristy" type reasons to identify the subject. More often I record what I've shot after I return from shooting, but not down to the detail of shutter speeds and lens openings unless they were significant for some reason. I do keep track of which camera and lens(es) were used, filters, etc.

Actually, I begin a computer database record for the roll when I load the camera, and update it as I shoot. After the processing comes in I fill in any subjects I forgot to enter earlier.

 

[Gid]

I voted for "why bother". The reality is that the RD-1 exif gives me some of the data and I can usually remember the rest. More often than not the 35 'cron has been glued to the RD-1, but I recently got a tri-elmar, so that makes it a little harder, though I can usually tell from the shot what focal length I used. Film is a bit harder, but again I usually stick with one lens per roll and I have a limited choice of lenses.

 

[VictorM.]

Sometimes, mostly when I'm using a camera I've adjusted/repaired and am 'testing'.

 

[markinlondon]

I usually shoot each roll with one of my 50's or with a 35/90 combo. I'll usually record which lens I used when I process the roll and assign it a roll no. Other than that, I've never really seen the point of frame by frame data recording. If I'm "testing" a new lens I might make notes. Otherwise, Nah!

 

[nightfly]

Never.

Seems like useless info to me. Either I made the shot or I didn't but it's not going to be exactly the same again so who cares.

I do wish I kept track of what developer and time I used to develop rolls of film.