How do you keep track?

[NicoleScraps]

As a beginner to dslr photography, I find it somewhat overwelming to keep track of what settings to use in what situation. I am hoping that as I progress, it will become more natural to me, but right now, it is not natural.
I am sure that many of you are in the same boat.
So how do you keep track when you take a good photo and you want to remember how you did it? Obviously EXIF data is there, but that does not tell you things that were exterior to the camera, such as how you set up the shot, tripod or not, angle and all that. Plus, the exif data lives on the computer and you cannot always have it with you.
I have started my own little journal that I keep in my camera bag. I write down this kind of stuff, shots that I have taken that worked out well, all the info regarding them.
I also write down stuff that I find on the web, like in the "how I took it" area.
Does anyone else do something like this? I would love to hear about how you keep track.

[LeeR]

I think your idea of keeping a small log where you keep information on shots is a great one. Years ago I saw a photographers log that kept what we would now consider EXIF data with a section for notes below. Personally, I don't think EXIF data is all that useful, but other notes could be very helpful, particularly things like the quality of light and where it was coming from and the exposure values for various areas of your image. In general, I am in favor of most anything that makes us slow down and think about what we are doing. One of the problems in photography is that it is so easy that we rush through it only to wonder later why our images didn't turn out better.

Small logs are a good idea.

After a while it's more about what you want to do than the getting the "settings" right.

Your photography will grow faster with better composition and lighting than "settings" work.

~Eric

[Jim Bryant]

Aslo, most of the capture info is embedded in the each picture you take.

Date: 7/24/10
Time: 12:49:14
Latitude:
Longitude:
Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Serial #: 243055
Firmware: Version 1.2.6
Frame #: 0061
Lens (mm): 16
ISO: 400
Aperture: 13
Shutter: 1/250
Exp. Comp.: 0.0
Flash Comp.: -1.0
Program: Shutter Priority
Focus Mode: AI Servo AF
White Bal.: Auto
ICC Profile: Adobe RGB (1998) (embedded)
Contrast: 0
Sharpening: 0
Quality: RAW

[CheaperKings]

How do I keep track? Easy; I don't. When I walk into a situation I have a look around, check to see what my available lighting is and then get things started. There's basically three things on my mind at all times; ISO (I try to keep that at 100 all the time), Shutter Speed and Aperture.

Let's say we're at your house and it's about 5pm. We're gonna shoot inside. The lighting through the windows isn't going to bother me right now. First I set you infront of the background I want to use. Then I'll take a few test shots to see what I'm getting in-camera. If it's too dark, I'll open the Aperture up a bit and take another shot. Let's say that it's still too dark after that. I'll drag my shutter to see if that compensates for the lack of light. Now, let's say that worked pretty good but I'm having a problem where I'll need to use a tripod because of the slow shutter speeds. Ok. We can deal with this. I'll up my ISO just a bit to see if I can speed my shutter back up.

Now, let's say that first test shot I took was too bright. Easy enough. We'll close the aperture down to let less light into the lens. If that still isn't enough, I'll speed the shutter up and/or close the aperture down another stop.

Once you practice enough you'll see how all this works. It's kinda like learning to drive a stick-shift. There's a lot more you have to be doing at once to get the car to go.

Just remember; Aperture is how much light comes into the lens and shutter speed is how long that light is coming in.

But, a log book is a good idea, too.

[jblythe]

What is meant by "I'll drag my shutter"?

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by jblythe

What is meant by "I'll drag my shutter"?

I took it that he means that he slows it down. Decreases the shutter speed. Correct me if I am wrong.

[CheaperKings]

Originally Posted by NicoleScraps

I took it that he means that he slows it down. Decreases the shutter speed. Correct me if I am wrong.

You're right. To "drag the shutter" is to slow it down...

That's just a term I use. I'm sorry for not making it more clear - sometimes, I get caught up in trying to solve the problem, I forget what terms I use - my'bad

[samnooshka]

Like Cheaperkings, i don't write things down, all the info i need is in the EXIF data of my photos. After a while you just get to know what settings you need, it is like another sense. The only things i do write down, is my location and if i used any other equipment. It is always handy to keep a small notebook with you, even if you see a shot that would work better at a different time of day so you can come back to the location another day to grab the shot. Whilst the thought is in your head, write down a check list of what you think you will need to get the shot in future etc.

Most of my work is done in low light, and overcast conditions as i am mostly in the forests with the dogs (and being a winter sport it is often cold and wet) so it is easy for me to set up my shots quickly and they rarely change throughout the day. When i first started taking the shots i do though, it took me ages of experimenting with Aperture and Shutter Speed to find the settings that worked best for me in certain situations.

[jblythe]

Originally Posted by CheaperKings

You're right. To "drag the shutter" is to slow it down...

Ok thanks, I had heard the term before but wasn't sure.