How to document your project
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Get a good digital camera. Make sure it can do macro closeups. It's also handy to have one that focuses in low light, since you will be crawling into all the little crannies of your project. Get enough storage for the camera so you don't have to worry about counting photos. Likewise for batteries. Forget claims of "digital zoom"; you can do the same type of "zooming" with image editing software. What is important is optical zoom, the quality of the lens, color correctness and image size (misnamed "resolution" in many advertisements). | Get a good digital camera. Make sure it can do macro closeups. It's also handy to have one that focuses in low light, since you will be crawling into all the little crannies of your project. Get enough storage for the camera so you don't have to worry about counting photos. Likewise for batteries. Forget claims of "digital zoom"; you can do the same type of "zooming" with image editing software. What is important is optical zoom, the quality of the lens, color correctness and image size (misnamed "resolution" in many advertisements). | ||
| − | Take lots of photos. Many may turn out to be useless, but you can't tell what information you may need, years from now. Begin with a walk-around, taking photos from every angle. Crawl around, in and under the car, taking photos of the way it is before you begin work. | + | Take lots of photos. Many may turn out to be useless, but you can't tell what information you may need, years from now. Digital photos are easy and inexpensive to store. Begin with a walk-around, taking photos from every angle. Crawl around, in and under the car, taking photos of the way it is before you begin work. |
For technical details on properly photographing your car, see this article by MARTINSR, posted on the Hotrodders Bulletin Board: [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/basics-basics-photographing-your-car-63626.html Basics of Basics: Photographing your car]. | For technical details on properly photographing your car, see this article by MARTINSR, posted on the Hotrodders Bulletin Board: [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/basics-basics-photographing-your-car-63626.html Basics of Basics: Photographing your car]. | ||
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Remember that cameras capture light, not intentions. Show the photos to others who know about cars. If you have to explain the photo, for example, "There is a bolt in that dark spot", it's a failure. A progression of photos matching the progression of work will increase the odds of getting all necessary information recorded. | Remember that cameras capture light, not intentions. Show the photos to others who know about cars. If you have to explain the photo, for example, "There is a bolt in that dark spot", it's a failure. A progression of photos matching the progression of work will increase the odds of getting all necessary information recorded. | ||
| − | Keep a diary on each car that you are building. When you finish a day's work on the car, make an entry into your diary. Enter part numbers of parts that you used, as well as what the parts were originally supposed to fit. Record the prices of each part, as well as the type of fasteners you may have used, and their torque specifications. If you end up paying out any labor, write it down. Write down a detailed description of any modifications as if you're explaining them to a non-technical friend. Include many photos. | + | Keep a diary on each car that you are building. When you finish a day's work on the car, make an entry into your diary. Enter part numbers of parts that you used, as well as what the parts were originally supposed to fit. Record the prices of each part, as well as the type of fasteners you may have used, and their torque specifications. Don't forget to write down the part numbers of paints, primers, and other finishes or materials. If you end up paying out any labor, write it down. Write down a detailed description of any modifications as if you're explaining them to a non-technical friend. Include many photos. |
Following each day of work on the project, gather the photos, pick the best, edit copies as needed, and describe, in text, what those photos are about. | Following each day of work on the project, gather the photos, pick the best, edit copies as needed, and describe, in text, what those photos are about. | ||
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