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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Taking Names
Jon L Hendricks, Photographer
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Hobart | IN | USA | Posted: 7:54 AM on 10.06.08 |
->> Does anyone have a great system for writing down names while covering an event? And I don't mean a few names here and there. I mean you're running around shooting and shooting and trying to keep track of dozens of people. What's your way of keeping track of everyone? Audio via the camera, a numbering/organization system, or flat out colors of shirts and such?
Thanks, |
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Mark Goldman, Photographer
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Silver Spring | MD | USA | Posted: 9:31 AM on 10.06.08 |
->> I talk to my camera all the time....It's my friend. 8-)
Also, I never have to search or ask what happened at any time. I have gotten pretty structured about talking my caption when I shoot and have a keeper. My 2 cents. |
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Jeffery Jones, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Gallup | NM | USA | Posted: 10:14 AM on 10.06.08 |
->> That is one thing that was a feature of the D2H and D100 (with grip)that I really miss in the D200 and D80 - no way to make voice annotations. If your camera has the record sound option this is the perfect time to use it.
If the participants are not wearing bib numbers then I find a distinctive article of clothing (black cowboy hat doesn't say enough during a rodeo) and make notes. Then every two or three people I find something wacky to get a shot of as a marker (and each marker shot is different) -- a shot of my foot, then a shot of the guardrail, next divider a shot of the announcer stand.... whatever item that would not be a shot for the event, and write a description of the marker shot into my note as well. This works to help if I somehow miss a person's name or otherwise get jumbled up. I can go to the previous or next marker, check my notes for that distinctive marker, and orient from there. |
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Ron Hawkes, Photographer
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Rockland | ME | USA | Posted: 11:22 AM on 10.06.08 |
->> I talk to my camera a lot, unfortunately sometimes my camera talks back to me.
I find it much easier then using paper. I sometimes use a tape recorder if I need more description then just a player number and a name. |
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Michael Moriatis, Photographer
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Santa Barbara | CA | USA | Posted: 12:25 PM on 10.06.08 |
->> I use an Oympus digital voice recorder.
Once I get their name I make a brief description of their clothing or action in the photo. It works really well for me. However, it does take more time in post when working on captions. But it makes shooting much more faster than having to write the names down. |
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Will Powers, Photographer
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 12:41 PM on 10.06.08 |
->> Sometimes, and it generally true, rather than shooting lots of people, particularly kids, it is good to watch for a while and find an expressive kid and focus on that one. I used to try to shoot lots of kids with a "shotgun" approach, but found it easier to follow only a few and take better photos.
If you are having to shoot all of the kids at an event then I would say the recorder off camera would be the ideal tool. |
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Daniel Berman, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Seattle | WA | US | Posted: 12:53 PM on 10.06.08 |
->> I usually fold up pieces of copy paper and just write names on each folded side, then when I get home I have names (complete with a small identifier like the scene, lens used, and clothing color) divided into their own section. Make sense?
I also will use my D2H's voice recorder if I want to make a note about a particular photo...e.g. "Jack Johnson, he won the race in 14minutes." |
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Kevin M. Cox, Photographer, Assistant
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Galveston / Houston | TX | US | Posted: 9:16 PM on 10.06.08 |
->> I don't like to use the voice recorder for names because of the times when it doesn't record well. I've noticed with the 1D series that sometimes a loud noise reduces the volume of audio for the rest of that audio clip making it hard to hear sometimes. I use the voice recorder heavily though to keeping track of what happened during specific plays.
For names on news/feature assignments I use pen and paper and make sure I always write down names in the order that I shot them along with clothing descriptions. If I have to leave spaces to go back and fill in I will. This way I can simply scroll through the assignment in Photo Mechanic and know the order of the photos matches the order of the names in my notebook.
The only problem I run into sometimes is reading my own writing.... |
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John Scarpa, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Bedminster | NJ | United States | Posted: 9:52 PM on 10.06.08 |
->> I have the same problem Kevin! You are always trying to write everything down so fast, sometimes it just gets discombobulated and you cant read it.
For the most part I use a good old note pad and a few pens....... By the end of the day I will usually loose 1-2 pens and find them a week later. After I get the shot of the subject that I want, I will then get the name and write down something that they are wearing that sets them apart from the crowd. It works for the most part until you have twins that are wearing the same thing....... ugh what a brain twister that was! |
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Ronnie Montgomery, Photographer
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 10:01 PM on 10.06.08 |
->> Pen and paper for me also. I always list the names in left to right order on the pad or put (L), (C), (R) symbols, and I note the frame number for one of the photos which contains the subjects. If you use this technique make sure you use the unique frame counter assigned to the photo, not the picture number because the picture number changes if you delete photos while chimping. I learned that tidbit the hard way.
For sports, I use the camera voice recorder to keep track of what happened during a play like Kevin said. |
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Scott MacDonald, Photographer
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Salinas | CA | USA | Posted: 10:04 PM on 10.06.08 |
->> When asking people their names, I always use pen and paper, and then I show people what I have written down and ask if I spelled it correctly. This practice has saved me from writing many corrections.
Be careful, though -- you don't want to have written "bald fat guy" next to a subject's name and then ask the bald fat guy to check if you spelled his name correctly. You might leave the assignment with a fat lip. |
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Andrew Spear, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Athens | OH | United States | Posted: 11:18 PM on 10.06.08 |
| ->> I usually write names down and then take a picture of the notes so that when I load up in iView, the name is written down right next to the frame. |
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Eugene P. Tanner, Photographer
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Honolulu | HI | USA | Posted: 11:36 PM on 10.06.08 |
->> Hey Jon.
I use the same technique Scott MacDonald uses but I also write down the frame number next to the name(s) so there is no mistake, less chance of a mix up... |
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Scott Morgan, Photographer
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Rockford | IL | United States | Posted: 12:23 AM on 10.07.08 |
->> Frame number can be very helpful if you don't have a voice recorder. In PhotoMechanic there is a variable {frame} that inserts the original frame number into your IPTC, so even if you rename the picture, you will still have it.
Other than that, I use short hand colors of clothing with brief descriptions. I also try to avoid writing things like bald or fat or big hairy mole in the description so I can double check the spelling with the person.
P.S. - Pet peeve - I can't tell you how many times I've spelled a name back to someone, only to have them say "close enough." I always tell them even if they don't care that their name is spelled wrong, everyone they know will know it's wrong and someone will call to complain. |
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Rod Leland, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Lethbridge | AB | Canada | Posted: 5:49 AM on 10.07.08 |
| ->> I religiously use the voice annotation on my D2H bodies. that feature alone has stopped me from getting a d200, and a d300. I use it every single day that I'm on assignment and integrated with photo mechanic, It's truly a tool I couldn't live without. I make sure to only record a voice note on a frame with JUST the person in it that I need. I also ensure that I speak back every letter the person says into my camera, while holding it close to my mouth to make sure the recording takes. At times, I'll also dictate jersey numbers, what goal in the game, attendance figures, participant counts and so on so I have them. In PM, sort by sound, scroll to the bottom, and cutline away. Integral part of my workflow. |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 9:15 AM on 10.07.08 |
| ->> Bring along a tiny voice recorder. I have an Olympus that cost me around $40. Get people to say AND SPELL their name into it then you say something like, "guy in green shirt with yankee cap" to id the guy. |
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Adam Cairns, Photographer
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Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 9:58 AM on 10.07.08 |
->> The voice annotation button on the camera works amazingly well. I frequently whisper into it, and it has always recorded flawlessly. As many have said, I also write down names and unique descriptors (shirt/sock/hair color, sunglasses, etc.), then I add more detail with the voice description. "So and so cheers for team after third quarter touchdown." At least if I have the name spelled right on the paper, the voice memo helps double verify identity. I've also done what Jim just described, but had people talk into my camera rather than a separate voice recorder.
I get some funny looks talking into the back of the camera. My standard response is, "If I talk nice to it, it takes better pictures." |
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Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 12:08 PM on 10.07.08 |
->> One thing to keep in mind if your using file numbers on the camera is that if you rename/renumber when you ingest the files to your pc, or, delete some shots as your working, they might not match up anymore. The image that was 46/213 is no longer going to make sense, nor would file "dsc2495" if its renamed "volleyball girls 23" on the pc. As a result, I always make sure to take down some physical description to go along with the name rather just just write a file number next to them, and if Im using a camera that has the ability, a voice memo as well, even though I more often rely on pen and pad for ID's. Voice memo's are great for information about what happened in a play though etc.
Another tip thats been really paying off for me this year, at least with sports is that when I get a great shot of a given player, I pull out my roster and make sure he's listed.
I can't tell you how many times I've gone to write a caption for a great shot of #46 only to find out that the roster doesn't have a #46 listed, because maybe he came up from JV or maybe he switched numbers since the time it was created etc. Nothing worse than 10 minutes before deadline and finding you can't use your best shot because you can't ID the kid.
Pull out that roster and make sure he or she is on there while your still at the game |
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Michael Johnson, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Geneseo | NY | USA | Posted: 3:26 PM on 10.07.08 |
->> I like my built in voice recorder. I find the D2h and D3 record very well and I let the person know I'm recording and have them spell their name. I find that my hand writing is poor and I may mis hear someone when writing. Its also nice cause I have a record of all the events info filed with the picts and since I keep all the originals I've been able to go back and find images of people later on.
If its a game I go an shoot the roster before or after to try and be as updated as I can. Another thing I love about digital. It really has cut down on the amount of paper I use and the chance of losing notes or mistakes. |
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Ronnie Montgomery, Photographer
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 7:04 PM on 10.07.08 |
| ->> Don't confuse file number with frame number. The frame number is embedded in the file info and will not change even if you rename the file. |
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Nik Habicht, Photographer
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Levittown | PA | USA | Posted: 8:03 PM on 10.07.08 |
->> I'd just write people's names down from left to right in a reporters notebook --- so the first name is the person on the far left in the picture. Once done with all the names I might jot a short note to remind me of the picture --- that's assuming that I was going to have a whole bunch of different images, as I might at a big community festival. Then I'd draw a horizontal line to differentiate that group from the next.
At big events --- like the Penn Relays, I'd shoot the event number on the scoreboard, and confirm the athlete's names as printed in the program, with notes in the margins.
At High school athletic events I'd shoot the scorebook -- since they typically didn't have rosters to hand out.
At public meetings, I'd often shoot people's nameplates --- again going from left to right in order. |
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T.J. Hamilton, Photographer
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Grand Rapids | MI | USA | Posted: 10:51 PM on 10.10.08 |
->> I have a palm zire 21 that I like because if the weather is bad, wet paper isn't an issue. Also its backlighted so I can use the notepad at night. When its pouring buckets or too cold for that I just talk to my camera.
My method for aquiring info is much like Nik's above post. |
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Aaron Rhoads, Photographer
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McComb | MS | USA | Posted: 10:57 PM on 10.10.08 |
| ->> I'm suppose to take names? |
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Ronnie Montgomery, Photographer
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 12:27 AM on 10.11.08 |
| ->> Yes Aaron. And don't forget to kick a**. |
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Ronda Churchill, Photographer
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Las Vegas | NV | United States | Posted: 2:20 AM on 10.11.08 |
->> Good ol' fashion notepad. Names (spell back to them as they say their name. I.e. "S-a-r-a-h S-m-i-t-h..." so they can inform you if you are wrong. "No it's Sara Smithe." I put a couple words to describe. I.e. "Neon shirt."
I'm sure there's more sophisticated ways of doing this...but I've done it for years and it works. For hs sports, I photograph the roster. Ask coach/school announcer if it's current and correct! For pro sports, I obviously snag PR copies that they have laid out in press rooms. Red Carpets are the B$%^ of all jobs for captions. Recorders are a plus here. I always ALWAYS look up their names online to double check spelling. IMDB.com. PR people are usually wrong with the spellings. |
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