In an age of digital photography, we often take for granted the wealth of information automatically embedded in every image file. A simple right-click can reveal the exact time, date, and even the location a photo was taken. This digital convenience, however, is absent in the world of film photography. While the digital files from a film scan have metadata, it typically relates to the scanning process itself, like the date of the scan and the scanner used, not the creative details of the original shoot. For the film photographer, the crucial data about the when, where, what, and why of a shot exists mostly in their memory, or in a log book they never get around to transcribing or, even worse, losing.

To solve this, PhotoLab35 created MetaNote, a comprehensive yet quick tool designed to bridge this gap. In just a minute, you can capture all the essential details of your shoot, from the time and date to the camera, lens, and the specifics of the exposure triangle. The tool then compiles this information into a simple text file. This allows you to keep a detailed record right where you need it, ensuring that years from now, when you're looking through your photographic gems, all the context of the shoot is stored in the same folder.

Like all tools on PhotoLab35, MetaNote was created by a user, for a user, and is provided completely free for personal use.

How to Get the Most Out of MetaNote

Using PhotoLab35 MetaNote is a straightforward process that will enhance your film archiving. It guides you through the necessary inputs to create a complete record.

1. Navigate to the Tool: Start by clicking the "Try This Tool" button below.
2. Enter Your Details: PhotoLab35 MetaNote will guide you through a series of screens. At each step, enter the details for your shoot, such as:
   • Date and Time
   • Location
   • Camera Body and Lens
   • Film Stock
   • Exposure details (Aperture, Shutter Speed, etc.)
3. Progress Through the Steps: After filling out the information on each screen, click the "Next Step" button to proceed.
4. Generate and Save the File: On the final step, the tool will take your data and put it into a text file that you can save directly into your shoot folder.