Crib Notes For Breakdancing Shoot

Before going out with my friend Basile yesterday on a breakdancing shoot, I wrote some notes on my hand. On past shoots, I often wrote notes down on paper...then promptly forgot about them. This time, I wanted to ensure that my notes were "close at hand". There are lots of reasons why I write notes to myself:

• To avoid common mistakes such as not minding my ISO or not watching my exposure time which could cause camera shake.
• Provide shot ideas to help me create interesting images.

Here's what I wrote on my hand this time:

• Bird's eye, worm's eye, 360: this is something I learned from watching a documentary about National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore called At Close Range.
• Silhouette: I expected the gym to be very dark. If I couldn't properly expose the subjects, then I'd resort to shooting some "artsy" silhouettes.
• Off-camera flash (very high spotlight). A tight beam of light would help light and isolate the subject from everyone else.
• Get emotions of dancers and crowd.
• Quiet moments.
• Watch ISO, watch shutter - camera shake!
• Focus off-center.
• Get in-your-face shots.

So did the notes help? Did I even look at them during the shoot? Find out after I post my photos from the shoot!