BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Definition of Photography Terms

Photography Question 

Judy
 

Zone System


Okay, I read the trivia question; but I still don't understand about the Zone System. Is it a technique one can use while shooting the photo or is it done in the darkroom? Does that mean if I don't have a darkroom (I use a pro lab) that I can't utilize the Zone System? Sorry for sounding so dumb about this, but I have continually heard about this technique and would like to be able to use it.


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June 13, 2003

 

John A. Lind
  Judy,
It's actually everything . . . exposure when making the photograph, how the film is developed and how the print is made.

That said, there's a lot you can do with the Zone System in just making the exposure on film if developing and printing are "normal" (not adjusted for anything). The Zone System is the subject of entire books and is a bit too much to explain here. The definitive books on the subject are by Ansel Adams who created the Zone System. Go to a library and look for his classic trilogy:
The Camera, The Negative, and The Print. The Zone System as it applies to each is found in each volume of the trilogy.

Basically, the underlying theme of Ansel Adams Zone System is careful calibration of equipment so that exposure and results are predictable and repeatable, and control, control, and more control by measuring everything carefully. The Zone System as he devised it is most applicable to Black and White, but major portions of it can be adapted to color work. Use as much or as little of his Zone System as you desire, and modify it to suit your own needs. As you learn about it, keep in mind his objective: calibration and control to get the exact results desired every time.

-- John


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June 15, 2003

 

Ellen L. Zaslaw
  When I was learning the zone system in college I used some books by Monor White and then later some by Henry Hornstein I think. There are some simplified things out there now and ofcourse the series by Minor White are indispensable. I know it's the school of the fuddy duddys but in my humble opinion it is the best thing I personally ever did and the jump in my technical ability was astounding both with black and white and it affected my color work as well. Go for IT !

ez


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January 03, 2004

 

Tommy Luca
  All the previous anwsers are correct, knowing how a meter reading affects the exposure and print of your photograph is the beginning of controlling the many elements that go into a photograph.


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December 20, 2004

 
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