Documenting flash settings

[elyshiamadison]

Probably sounds like a really stupid question... how do you all document your off camera flash settings for each shot? eg power setting, zoom, and position of flash in relation to subject.

I'm finding I get so caught up trying to get the shots right - I completely forget what settings I was using for the shot to "work" by the time I load them on the computer.

[MarkChap]

It is called a note book and pen/pencil

Back in the day, there was no EXIF data to fall back on, I can remember filling many a note book with shot stats

But it depends on how much info you want to record/recall, generally once I have made a decision on flash to subject position (normally quite close), that dictates what my aperture will be. After that although positioning may change I keep the distances and hence the flash power and aperture pretty constant.

Shutter speed and aperture are recorded in EXIF anyway, so a quick look tells me if I have varied the flash power, either by distance or by actual adjustment

[elyshiamadison]

I knew it was a stupid question lol....

Off to buy some note books tomorrow

[DesmondD]

I knew it was a stupid question lol....

Off to buy some note books tomorrow

It's not a stupid question actually because there are other solutions . Have a look at my "flash " album on photobucket . I sometimes have another camera handy to photograph my setup and then add text to them later . My handwriting is too untidy and I'm too forgetful to use a notebook .

[elyshiamadison]

Thanks Desmond - you gave me a few ideas for testing out my 2 flash units one's controls are quite intuitive the other is NOT!! Pity we threw out all the girls dolls lol. Will have to find another inanimate object to test with (maybe a transfomer will do the trick)

And second camera is a great idea, I am hopeless with notes...

[DesmondD]

Thanks Desmond - you gave me a few ideas for testing out my 2 flash units one's controls are quite intuitive the other is NOT!! Pity we threw out all the girls dolls lol. Will have to find another inanimate object to test with (maybe a transfomer will do the trick)

And second camera is a great idea, I am hopeless with notes...

I stopped using the "life like" baby doll because I always got comments about how creepy it looks
Now I use the cream coloured football instead .

My subject .....




My notes .......

[elyshiamadison]

The doll may have looked a little creepy strung up on a tripod, BUT was a good idea for testing ambient v's flash esp the one's where the doll was in shade with strong sun backlight It's alot closer to skin tones than the ball That is something I have to practise getting right!

I can't seem to find anyone willing to stand and be flashed to death, while I play lololol.

[DesmondD]

The doll may have looked a little creepy strung up on a tripod, BUT was a good idea for testing ambient v's flash esp the one's where the doll was in shade with strong sun backlight It's alot closer to skin tones than the ball That is something I have to practise getting right!

I can't seem to find anyone willing to stand and be flashed to death, while I play lololol.

I live on my own in the middle of a farm so I can't even ask !

[elyshiamadison]

True

I often wonder what the neighbours think here when they see the flash going off in the house and absurd hours There's 6 yards that back onto mine - so I figure at some stage someone has thought what the????? lol

My kids run a mile now when the camera comes out, grrrr.....