Keeping good record for print making

[tkamiya]

I am just amazed how elaborate some system can get...! Thank you very much for sharing. For my current purpose, I think, I am going to start by adding enlarger head height to my record. That will, at least, keep the exposure constant.

[Morry Katz]

All this record keeping seems like a giant make-work project. There are so many variables involved that even the most detailed notes will be inaccurate. I've tried it and the information was not really useful. If you really need to duplicate a print, take it into the darkroom with you and use it as your guide. When I reprint an image, I start from scratch and make the best print I can, as I see it, that day.
P.S. I've been printing for about 50 years.
Have fun in the dark.
Morry Katz - Lethbridge, Alberta

[Christopher Walrath]

I do a full size sketch on my note paper right on the easel.

I really like this idea. I might incorporate this into my notebook. I side for notes. The other for the sketch and more room for that than I presently take advantage of. Thanks, Tom.

[Toffle]

All this record keeping seems like a giant make-work project. There are so many variables involved that even the most detailed notes will be inaccurate. I've tried it and the information was not really useful. If you really need to duplicate a print, take it into the darkroom with you and use it as your guide. When I reprint an image, I start from scratch and make the best print I can, as I see it, that day.
P.S. I've been printing for about 50 years.
Have fun in the dark.
Morry Katz - Lethbridge, Alberta

Morry, I wouldn't argue with you for a second... and seeing as I've only been printing about 5 years, you definitely trump me on that score. But I will say this... for me, the sketch is an important part of getting a feel for the negative. It helps me focus on what I want to see in the final print. I would say that my sketching/record keeping saves me on average two sheets of paper per print - more if I am reprinting a negative. In terms of time, those two sheets of paper add up to at least 15 minutes per negative, and that's a savings I really value.

Cheers,

[Mats_A]

Do you use a rolling number to identify a roll of film or some other system?
When I insert a new roll I make a new page in the notebook where I note camera, date, type of film, if I over- or underexpose it. Then I will give it a code that is date + inc number that day. First roll today would by 21-02-10/1. When taking out a roll I write this on the roll. In the notebook I write down the usual data which I later transfer to spreadsheet for printing.

I use the same notebook when printing and then I refer to picture as 21-02-10/1-4. If you can't guess my profession is in IT :-)

r

[Worker 11811]

I always just used my test print and made notes on the back.

You can put the negative in the enlarger and the print on the easel then align the images to get an almost perfect reproduction of your original print crop/composition. Mark your dodge and burn areas right on the test print with red Sharpie marker. Use a three hole punch and put it in your notebook with your negatives and proof pages.

I still have most of my notes from when I made prints years ago. I am pretty confident that I could make virtually identical copies whenever I need to.

[Kirk Keyes]

Shouldn't giggle but why is it that Mac users have this smug superiority complex?

Never have the problem you're referring to, btw...

I'm a windows user and the word doc worked for me.

[Kirk Keyes]

I am just amazed how elaborate some system can get...! Thank you very much for sharing. For my current purpose, I think, I am going to start by adding enlarger head height to my record. That will, at least, keep the exposure constant.

Here's what I use. There are boxes to sketch out the dogding/buring and then lines to describe the details if needed. There are several boxes as I sometimes have several steps of dodging or burning that I do.

[Ian Grant]

I used to keep a database with the info, for prints much like Kirk's just posted. Unfortunately Microsoft's the upgrades to Access made it non convertible without a total re-write.

However I've found little problem even going back to 20+ year old negatives and re-printing them, and find dodging and burning instinctive on reprints.

Ian

[Renato Tonelli]

I find it useful to keep accurate records but only for the short term, or for as long as I can get the same materials. Over the years I have tinkered with my note-keeping.
Things change for long term: paper you used may not be available, the developer, etc., etc.

The PDF file contains two pages but page 2 is blank.

[Rick A]

How's this?
Great, thank you. Looks like a very good form for keeping track of all info. its better than my handwritten notes.

Rick

[fotch]

Sounds like CRKD or "Compulsive Record Keep Disorder". :D

[Renato Tonelli]

Sounds like CRKD or "Compulsive Record Keep Disorder". :D

Ouch! I think you've hit the proverbial nail on the head (speaking for myself of course).