You already know how to make a Proper Proof because I told you everything you need to know. But just in case you need a refresher or missed it, check out my previous entries: “Don’t Be a Bozo — Make Proof Sheets!” and “My Photographic Process – Step 3 – Making a Proper Proof Sheet”.

Congratulations!  You have accomplished everything I talked about in “My Step 5 – Develop Film and File in Numbered Archival Sleeve Pages, Stored in Archival Ring Binder Containers”.  Now all you have to do is make your Proper Proof sheets for each set of negatives and put them into a notebook(s).

The key is to mark each proof sheet with the same number as its corresponding roll/set of negatives. Here is how I do it.  I use clear letter size acid free poly sleeves I purchase from Staples (#10525) that come with ring holes and space on the left hand side to note the number and any description you wish to include (e.g., what is contained on the roll and when were the pictures were made).  The nice thing about the sleeves is that you can also store your print “recipe(s)” with them! I keep my notebooks for each film format next to their corresponding three ring archival closed box binders that contain my negatives.  Makes sense to me!

So there you have it … an easy and foolproof method to catalogue all your proof sheets and easily find them when you need to, along with the right negative when you are ready to print!

You know you have some spare time now, so it’s a good time to get organized. Do it once and you will never have to do it again!

Stay safe,

Michael