The 10(plus) most useful tips-to-self before taking the shot

Here they are – finally! – the key tips you’ve been waiting to read & share :D :

1. Confirm the lens shutter is closed before pulling the darkslide.

2. [?]

While in the field, I record whatever tips might improve my work the next time. I even devote a section of my spiral notepad to the topic, and when back home, transcribe new entries to a master list. Every now and then, I’ll review the master list, top to bottom. Above I’ve listed the very first “tip-to-self” I ever committed to paper. Glad I did! For this single tip has reduced the tormented screams hikers used to hear in the forests & mountains of Washington state. It has also saved more than a few sheets of film.

What’s your next tip for the LF photographer, whether beginner or veteran?

2. Always bring a roll of toilet paper.

Be sure to re-insert the dark slide before removing the film holder from your camera.

And, be sure that film holder is loaded with film before you use it.

Gem, that must be #3 and #4. Both very helpful ones!

5. Give vacillating breeze one additional moment to calm. (As most landscapers know, patience can also increase the breeze, but broadly speaking, this tip works pretty well.)

6. Make sure that shutter is closed before pulling dark slide.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ataim

6. Make sure that shutter is closed before pulling dark slide.

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Certainly this tip is so important, so easy to overlook, so potentially damaging to one’s work, that of all the key tips for field or studio I can think of, this is the one that should be done twice!

Check shutter settings BEFORE pulling dark slide.

So:
#1, check film holders in the dark. Checking for film in film holders in the daylight is enlightening, but not conducive to photography.
#2, bring roll of toilet paper.
#3, check shutter settings before pulling the dark slide.
#4, check shutter is closed before pulling the dark slide.
#5, check that dark slide is reinserted before pulling out film holder.
#6, make a notation about what you just did.
#7, put the holder some place safe. Rocks, rails, and too-small-pockets are not safe.

Oh, yeah: put the camera on an adequate tripod and focus it.

And point the camera at something interesting.

Be sure all movements are locked down before inserting the film holder.

1. Confirm the lens shutter is closed before pulling the darkslide.

2. ?

3. Profit?

Almost forgot, don't forget to cock the shutter!