Every certified diver was taught to use a logbook. The book
was supposed to be a compendium of information and experiences; a record of
dives past; a list of equipment owned and a service record; weighting
requirements for different destinations and environmental suits. This record
could be used to plan and execute future dives. References could be made to
phenomena observed and skills learned. Unfortunately, far too many divers think
that it’s vogue to skip the logbook. Divers with around 50 dives are shocked
to find that a diver with 9400+ dives still logs an entry for every dive.
That’s unfortunate.
It’s also unfortunate that every underwater photographer
does not keep a photo log. Most of us don’t get the chance to take underwater
images on a daily or even weekly basis. Our progress as underwater photographers
is random at best. Each dive trip, we find ourselves making the same mistakes
over and over. Improvement is ever so slow. Wouldn’t it be great if we could
start on our next underwater photo excursion at the same place we ended on our
last? We can…with a photo log.
A photo log can be made from any blank notebook.
I tend to prefer an inexpensive bound ledger simply because I can resist
the urge to tear pages out of it. It simply resides in my camera case along with
my housing, strobe, cables and other accessories.
The photo log should be divided into three sections. The
first and last sections are relatively short compared to the middle section.
These sections are:
- Things
I Know To Be True
- Experiments
- Things
I Want or Need
Obviously, you can name the sections or order them as
you please but here’s how to make an underwater photo logbook.
Assemble your camera system. Document it on Page 1 of
the Experiment section. List the camera used, type of housing, lens, port,
everything. Be sure to record the type of film you put into the camera. I
usually record this on the left side of the notebook, leaving space for after
the dive. Go diving and expose the film. After the dive, write down on the right
side of the page what images should be on this roll of film and anything special
that you did while exposing the film. Did you turn the camera into a vertical
format? Did you shoot the camera and strobe completely in auto exposure? (it’s
okay) Anything that you did to expose the roll of film should be documented in
this section. Leave some more space for evaluation of the film after it’s been
processed. Prepare your camera for your next dive and start your next entry into
the logbook.
After the film has been processed, examine each photo
and try to remember exactly what you did when you exposed the image. Frequently,
an extended period of time may pass between the time that we exposed the film
and it is finally processed. If there are multiple days of diving and multiple
rolls of film, it is often difficult to remember exactly what we were doing when
we took the shot. If we have information in the logbook, it is easier to
remember and easier to evaluate the film. Rather than just
“That’s a good one” or “that didn’t come out like I wanted it”, you
should be able to evaluate what it was that you were doing to make an underwater
photograph “a good one”. Conversely, you should be able to determine what it
was that you were doing when it “didn’t come out like I wanted it.” Few
underwater photographers are satisfied with the simple process of snapping the
shutter and advancing the film. They want positive results that they can show to
their friends. Both of these evaluations will lead to positive results.
As you evaluate each photo, be sure to consult the
photo log for that roll of film. Based on your post-dive comments and
examination of each image, you should be able to determine what techniques
produce acceptable results and what techniques produced less than acceptable
results. What are we looking for here? Is the lighting good or not? If the
lighting is good, why was it good? How did you have the strobe
positioned….what was it’s setting….how close to the subject were you? If
the lighting is not good, why is it not good? Ask yourself the same questions.
After a short time of this practice, your images should be technically
acceptable. Then it becomes time for the really hard questions. What makes this
photo attractive? Or not? Do you consistently shoot straight down into the reef
causing subjects to disappear? Are you starting the world’s newest photo
collection of fish tails? At any rate, after evaluating the film, document the
positive information on the right side of your photo log entry.
After several entries with repetitive results, it’s
fair to say that this technique is consistent. It’s time to move this
information to Section 1 (Things I Know To Be True).
Go to the first page. Document type of images (e.g.,
reef fish portraits), camera, lens, housing, strobe and settings, type of film,
camera angle, even type of wet suit and weights. Include any other useful
information (e.g., For best results, avoid shooting down
into reef, avoid shooting fish tails) that helps to make this type of
photo successful.
Each technique that you develop that delivers
successful, consistent results should be documented in the first section of your
photo logbook. As you prepare for your next dive vacation (or even on the plane
enroute), re-read What You Know to Be True. This should help you to start where
you left off on your last photo expedition.
The final section, Things I Want or Need, is useful
to remind yourself of items that you want or need to bring as you travel. You
may see another photographer with a special tool that has just the right
application for your system. Write it down here. A special type of film?…write
it down. Review this part of your logbook as you are packing your camera kit for
you next trip.
A photolog of this type should help you to get
consistent photos. It should also help to limit the frustration that often
plagues many underwater photographers. That in itself makes keeping the logbook
worthwhile.
