Photographing a logbook

December 11, 2017How To, Paper Transcription

Photographing your logbook with a smartphone or a digital camera is the easiest and fastest way to get your logbook images to us. At the same time, it is the most important step you will take to guarantee an accurate transcription. Following these steps will help us quickly and accurately transcribe your logbook and avoid our most common issues requiring additional photographs or even complete retakes.

Make sure the room has bright ambient light. Daylight near a window, like this kitchen, works best. Note the light directly above to provide additional lighting.

The location you photograph your logbook matters a surprising amount. Pick a place with these attributes:

  • Bright ambient light, daylight near a window or a very well lit room
  • A background that isn’t too crazy and doesn’t cast shadows
  • A background that contrasts with the logbook paper

Avoid:

  • On a bed (sheets cast shadows and confuses camera focus)
  • Paisley or other very busy background
  • Backgrounds that match the logbook paper. i.e. white logbook on a white table
Photograph from directly above

Photograph from directly above

Don't zoom in too close as you may end up accidentally cropping out important information

Take your time with each photo. Start with the first page of your oldest logbook to be transcribed and continue in chronological order until the last page in your newest logbook. Do not switch between logbooks until finishing the one that has been started. If you have concurrent logbooks (multiple logbooks over the same period), do one logbook first, then do the other. This keeps photos in order.

Position the camera directly above the logbook, get both pages in frame and in focus. Make sure the camera isn’t shaking or otherwise moving, then take the photo.

Common problems:

A successful photo. Click the photo to view a full size version.

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