Negative numbering
I think the general principles should be these:
1) each image has a unique identifier, ie, an index number;
2) information about each image is stored separately from the image, keyed to its index number. IOW, metadata.
I use a similar system to Michael's, very similar. For all roll films (35mm and 120), a typical negative number would look like this: 3B09M2654-23A.
The first alphanumeric is the format: 3 is 35mm, 6 is 6x6-cm (or 2-1/4 x 2-1/4, if you prefer), 7 is 6x7-cm, et cetera.
The second alphanumeric is the film type: B is B&W negative, C is B&W chromogenic, T is colour transparency, and N is colour negative.
The next two alphanumerics are the year: 09 is 2009.
The next alphanumeric is the month: January is A, February is B, to M for December. I excluded the letter I, as it can be too easily confused with the number 1, especially in what passes for my handwriting!
The next four alphanumerics are the individual roll numbers; I started my numbering system when I started in CEGEP in September, 1971. I have, over the years, shot rolls with no numbers; a lot of the stuff I did when I was in Ryerson Polyech in the 1970s is like that, and I have set a block of 100 numbers aside for a future renumbering. In that case (and when I get to it), the number above is prefixed with the letter "S," indicating that it was numbered out of sequence. A typical number would be something like this: S3B76P2105-16. It follows the model set out above, except that the letter "P" designates the 2nd quarter of 1976, which means I don't remember exactly when I made the negative. Student days, you know, lots to do and no time to do it...
The next four alphanumerics, "-23A" indicates that it refers to negative 23A, which one only finds on 35mm film. The dash "-" indicates that I should refer to the numbers on the film which are imprinted when the film is being converted by the manufacturer. If it is a pound sign (#), this indicates that I should ignore the numbers and count from the first negative, from the upper left, if 35mm and lower left if 120 film. I do this, for 35mm, when dealing with negatives which were made on some of the Eastern European films, such as Efke, which have small, hard to read numbers, and with older negatives I made on re-spooled 35mm motion picture film. For 120 film, often there are a two different sets of numbers on both sides of the films, so I find it easier to count negatives. Also, if on one of those RARE occasions when I actually OVERXPOSE my film, the edge numbers can be difficult to read.
For my 4x5 negatives, a typical number would be 4B09L23-08, which follows the pattern above, except that it refers to the 08th negative exposed on November 23, 2009, and is B&W negative film. I usually number each negative individually, in the top rebate area.
The roll number (3B09M2654) is written at the top of my Print File page, as well as on the back of my contact sheets from that roll. For sheet film, I write the numbers at the top of the Print File page, something like this: 4B09L23-09>12, which indicates the info as above, and refers to sheets 8 thru 12. The same number is also on the back of the contact sheet as well.
I keep a log of my rolls and sheets, and a separate log for processing information, as well. I have a all the original info going back to my first record, made in 1971.
For prints, I write an abbreviated number on the back, such as 2654-23A-V4B. The "2654-23A" is as explained above; the "V4B" indicates that for that particular negative, it is the 4th version made (exposure time differences, dodging and burning, contrast, et cetera), and the "B" indicates that it was the second batch of prints made, with those settings, from that negative. If that sounds unnecessarily complex, I find that it is the best way of sorting my prints, and that if there is a problem with processing, with the timer, or if a lamp that is about to blow, the letter code helps me to sort out the prints for final evaluation and to see if there is a drift or a trend in the final prints.
I also have a numbering sub-system for internegatives, interpositives, et cetera. If anybody is REALLY interested, drop me a PM.
If this all sounds like I'm more interested in writing numbers than making prints, guess again. I can find anything I am looking for in minutes, and when I get a print request, I can pull the data, and the file print, and make a print to match the one which somebody has seen on display. I have a friend that actually takes pride in HIS numbering non-system: dump the negatives in a box and hope you can find them. He can't.
Anybody see the original movie, "Fail Safe?" I refer to the one made in the 1960's with, I believe it was, Walter Matthau as a scientist. At a cocktail party, he postulates that in a nuclear war, two classes of people would survive. The first would be convicts, in solitary confinement; the second would be file clerks, surrounded by tons of paper, as paper is a natural insulator (remember that this film was made in the 1960s). Assuming that the convicts could get out, who would dominate the earth? The convicts would know violence...but the file clerks would know organization.
