don't forget your camera: lessons learned in documentation

Lessons Learned in Documentation

Elizabeth Fullerelizabeth@efuller.net@jumpingship

Don’t Forget Your Camera

I am not a professional photographer[disclaimer]

But I also make things

Get a professional to do it

I can’t count on someone else for documentation

The end of a project shouldn't be the only time for documentation

Overview

Overview

Why document

Overview

Why document

What to document

Overview

Why document

What to document

How to document

Why document

Save things that are temporary

Sanity check

Recreate it later

Share it with others Tutorials

It may be useful in a presentation

What to Document

EverythingYou limiting factor should not be the amount of memory on your SD card.

It's hard to predict what pictures will be useful in the future

How to document

Prep what you are documenting

Basics of photography

The core goal in digital photography documentation is to maximize the amount and range of data collected in an image by finding the sweet spot between a collection of variablesFocusApertureExposureISOShutter Speed

A good camera is an investment

Single lens reflex (SLR) cameras

Control over variables

Flexibility of lenses

Larger sensors and lenses = more data

FocusMake sure your main subject is in focus. You'd be amazed how many times the most important text is blurry because the focus is off.

ApertureThe size of the hole

ExposureThe amount of light exposed to a sensor

ISOHow sensitive your sensor is to light

Shutter speedThe period of time the shutter exposes the lense

Use a tripod

Using a lens

Focal Lengthangle of view and magnification

Prime LensFixed focal Length (no zoom)

Zoom LensVariable focal Length

“fisheye”Wide Angle Lens

Long focal length, far away subjects.Telephoto Lens

Macro LensClose, small subjects

Macro

Reflective Surfaces

Before and After

Sharing it

Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Measure twice.Cut once.Photograph everything.

Thank YouElizabeth Fullerelizabeth@efuller.net@jumpingship