The Power Line Magazine - June/July 2016 Issue - Tips for the Photograher "Make Notes" by James E. Crigger

Tips for The Photographer “Make Notes”
by Rev. James E. Crigger

James Crigger Pic

   Have you ever looked through your old photographs and said: “I wonder where that was taken”?
   Maybe you want to become a serious photographer with hopes of having your great photos published.
   Whatever the reason, even if it’s just for discipline, a good photographer takes notes. Just like a journalist, you want to note “What-Where-When-Why”. You will also want to make notes of the camera; the lens; the aperture; the shutter speed and even the time of day. These notes will help you learn of your mistakes as well as being able to duplicate your successes.

Your notes can be on a simple note pad or for those computer savvy folks, you can design your own note page and be able to remember the types of notes you will take.
There are excellent programs that work with “metadata” such as Adobe Lightroom. Some camera manufacturers such as Nikon and Canon, offer their own software to keep track of this

information as well as being able to make changes to your original photos.
Your notes may be like the example below.

   Your notes should include the technical information above. However, you can structure your note-taking any way you wish. Simple, or complex. As long as you have the information that you think will be helpful in the future, or informative when showing others your wonderful photographs.
   The main thing to remember is to make photography fun. It may be a hobby or you may wish to become a professional. Either way, note-taking will help you improve your skills.
   A good project would be to look around your own neighborhood and record those interesting places, as well as God’s beautiful creatures you come in contact with. And don’t forget your family, you can make snap-shots or make portraits!