The Practical Zone System for Film and Digital Photography: Classic Tool, Universal Applications

Description

This sixth edition of The Practical Zone System by Chris Johnson updates the classic manual on Ansel Adams's landmark technique for the digital age. For photographers working digitally or with film, in color or black and white, in the studio or on the go, this simple visual language helps to control contrast and, through a process called Previsualization, provides photographers with the power of free creative expression.   This new edition discusses recent advances in technology and potentials for their use in zone photography, including HDR, smartphone cameras that shoot in raw format and smartphone light meters. Johnson demonstrates how the Zone System is a universal visual and conceptual language that dramatically simplifies the problem of creating and rendering complex lighting setups. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Contents Preface to the Sixth Edition Acknowledgments Why and How to Read this Book Chapter 1 “Will It Come Out?” Introduction What Exactly Is the Zone System? Why Is Photographic Technique So Important? Is the Zone System Outdated? If the Zone System Is So Important, How Were Good Photographs Taken without It? Do I need a Spot Meter to Use the Zone System? Isn’t the Zone System Useful Only with View Cameras? How Does the Zone System Apply to Digital Photography? Can the Zone System Be Used with Smartphone Cameras? Can I Use a Smartphone Light Meter Application with the Zone System? How Does the Zone System Apply to the Use of an Electronic Flash? Can the Zone System be Used with Color Film? Chapter 2 Print Quality, Negative Contrast, and Dynamic Range Subject Contrast and Photographic Papers: A Bit of History The Photographic Procrustean Beds Working with Paper Grades Working with Problem Negatives Summary Chapter 3 The Control of Negative Contrast Expose for the Shadows Develop for the Highlights Normal Development Summary Chapter 4 The Zone Print Values Texture and Detail The Zones Previsualization Measuring Zones Summary Chapter 5 Exposure Light Measurement Exposure Recommendations The Meter’s Dilemma Exercise: How Light Meters Really Work Exposure Detailed Place and Fall With Handheld Meters With In-Camera Meters Using Smartphone Light Meters with the Zone System Summary Chapter 6 Development Measuring Subject Contrast with In-Camera Meters Normal Plus Development Normal Minus Development Chapter 7 An Overview of the Zone System Expose for the Shadows and Develop for the Highlights Zone System Frequently Asked Questions Chapter 8 Zone System Testing: Method 1 Introduction Choosing a Photographic Paper The Use of Equivalent ISO (ASA) Numbers Zone System Testing: Method 1 Roll Film Sheet Film Standard Printing Time Test Expansion and Contraction Development Times Chapter 9 Zone System Testing: Method 2 About the Development Time Charts Development Time Charts Film and Developer: Questions and Answers Chapter 10 The Zone System and Digital Photography Introduction A Word about Structure and Understanding Basic Assumptions Digital and Film Photography Other Digital Printing Considerations: Large-Scale and Banner Printing Pixels: Size, Resolution, Bit Depth, and Quality Optimizing Digital Image Resolution The Scanning Process File Size Calculator Guidelines for Fine Digital Printing Bit Depth and Digital Exposure The Zone System of Digital Exposure A Summary of Digital Exposure Effects The Zone System and Digital Contrast Control Raw Converter Choices An Introduction to Adobe Camera Raw Utility Summary of Digital Photography Cardinal Rules Chapter 11 The Zone System and Studio Photography About Bill Brandt’s Photograph Introduction Digital Workflow and the Power of the Zone System The Lighting Studio as a Creative Environment Understanding Flash Meters The Creative Sketching Process in the Studio Studio Exposure Methods: Flash Spot and Incident Meters Understanding the Lighting Studio Zone Chart Incident Meters Never Lie The Masterwork Re-creation Process Some Comments Regarding Equipment and Workflow Equipment Steps in the Process Summary of Preceding Steps The Shooting Process Appendices Appendix A Color Management, Profiles, and Color Spaces Profiles Color Spaces Color Managing Your System The RIP Alternative Appendix B A Primer on Studio Lighting Photography Controlling Strobe Brightness in the Studio The Visual Qualities of Studio-lit Subjects Appendix C What Is a Pixel? Pixel Size Screen Pixels Digital Image Sensor Pixels Scanners Printers Appendix D Bit Depth Appendix E Exposure and the Digital Linear Effect Linear versus Nonlinear Nonlinearity, Zones, and Human Vision The Digital Linear Effect Appendix F Digital Light Meters and the Zone System Digital Light Meter Settings The Zone System and Digital Meters Previsualization, Placement, and Contrast Measurement Exposure Determination Appendix G A Primer on Basic Film Photography Photographic Emulsions The Negative The Print Processing ASA Paper Grades Graded and Multigrade Photographic Papers The Camera The Aperture The Shutter Exposure Appendix H Films, Developers, and Processing The Basics Developer Notes Film Notes Processing Notes Appendix I The Practical Zone System Film and Developer Testing Method The Testing Process Appendix J Film and Developer Commentary by Iris Davis Appendix K Alternative Methods for Extreme Expansion and Contraction Development Expansion Contraction Appendix L Contrast Control with Paper Grades Appendix M Developer Dilution Appendix N Compensating Developers Compensating Formulas Two-Bath Compensating Formula Water Bath Development Appendix O Inspection Development Appendix P Condenser and Diffusion Enlargers Appendix Q ASA/ISO Numbers Appendix R Filter Factors, the Reciprocity Effect, and Bellows Extension Factors Filter Factors The Reciprocity Effect Bellows Extension Factors Appendix S A Compensation Method for Inaccurate Meters Appendix T Zone System Metering Form: In-Camera Meters Appendix U Exposure Record and Checklist for Zone System Testing Materials Materials for Sheet Film Steps Roll Film (Alternative A) Sheet Film (Alternative B) Appendix V Examples: Zone System Applications Christine Alicino David Bayles Dan Burkholder Judy Dater Chris Johnson Robert Bruce Langham III Wynn Bullock Appendix W Suggested Reading Film Photography Digital Photography Technical Resource Books Creativity and Ideas Appendix X A Brief Directory of Online Digital and Photography-Related Resources Some Digital Technical Reference Sites Digital Photography Resources Photoshop-Related Applications General Photography Sites Some Virtual Galleries and Museums Documentary Photography Sites Some Other Art-Related Photography Sites Photo-Artist Sites Virtual Magazines and Journals Appendix Y A Brief Glossary of Zone System and Digital Terminology Index