The Practical Zone System for Film and Digital Photography

2018·5.69 MB·English

by  Chris Johnson

Cover Page: i
Half Title Page: i
Title Page: i
Copyright Page: iv
Contents Page: v
Preface to the Sixth Edition Page: xii
Acknowledgments Page: xvii
Why and How to Read this Book Page: xviii
Chapter 1 “Will It Come Out?” Page: xxii
Introduction Page: 1
What Exactly Is the Zone System? Page: 2
Why Is Photographic Technique So Important? Page: 3
Is the Zone System Outdated? Page: 4
If the Zone System Is So Important, How Were Good Photographs Taken without It? Page: 4
Do I need a Spot Meter to Use the Zone System? Page: 5
Isn’t the Zone System Useful Only with View Cameras? Page: 5
How Does the Zone System Apply to Digital Photography? Page: 5
Can the Zone System Be Used with Smartphone Cameras? Page: 5
Can I Use a Smartphone Light Meter Application with the Zone System? Page: 6
How Does the Zone System Apply to the Use of an Electronic Flash? Page: 6
Can the Zone System be Used with Color Film? Page: 6
Chapter 2 Print Quality, Negative Contrast, and Dynamic Range Page: 8
Subject Contrast and Photographic Papers: A Bit of History Page: 9
The Photographic Procrustean Beds Page: 9
Working with Paper Grades Page: 10
Working with Problem Negatives Page: 10
Summary Page: 14
Chapter 3 The Control of Negative Contrast Page: 16
Expose for the Shadows Page: 16
Develop for the Highlights Page: 16
Normal Development Page: 19
Summary Page: 22
Chapter 4 The Zone Page: 24
Print Values Page: 25
Texture and Detail Page: 27
The Zones Page: 28
Previsualization Page: 33
Measuring Zones Page: 36
Summary Page: 38
Chapter 5 Exposure Page: 40
Light Measurement Page: 42
Exposure Recommendations Page: 43
The Meter’s Dilemma Page: 44
Exercise: How Light Meters Really Work Page: 46
Exposure Detailed Page: 49
Place and Fall Page: 50
With Handheld Meters Page: 51
With In-Camera Meters Page: 51
Using Smartphone Light Meters with the Zone System Page: 54
Summary Page: 55
Chapter 6 Development Page: 57
Measuring Subject Contrast with In-Camera Meters Page: 62
Normal Plus Development Page: 67
Normal Minus Development Page: 71
Chapter 7 An Overview of the Zone System Page: 75
Expose for the Shadows and Develop for the Highlights Page: 78
Zone System Frequently Asked Questions Page: 80
Chapter 8 Zone System Testing: Method 1 Page: 88
Introduction Page: 88
Choosing a Photographic Paper Page: 89
The Use of Equivalent ISO (ASA) Numbers Page: 90
Zone System Testing: Method 1 Page: 92
Roll Film Page: 100
Sheet Film Page: 101
Standard Printing Time Test Page: 101
Expansion and Contraction Development Times Page: 105
Chapter 9 Zone System Testing: Method 2 Page: 107
About the Development Time Charts Page: 109
Development Time Charts Page: 111
Film and Developer: Questions and Answers Page: 116
Chapter 10 The Zone System and Digital Photography Page: 118
Introduction Page: 118
A Word about Structure and Understanding Page: 120
Basic Assumptions Page: 122
Digital and Film Photography Page: 123
Other Digital Printing Considerations: Large-Scale and Banner Printing Page: 128
Pixels: Size, Resolution, Bit Depth, and Quality Page: 129
Optimizing Digital Image Resolution Page: 135
The Scanning Process Page: 139
File Size Calculator Page: 142
Guidelines for Fine Digital Printing Page: 143
Bit Depth and Digital Exposure Page: 144
The Zone System of Digital Exposure Page: 154
A Summary of Digital Exposure Effects Page: 163
The Zone System and Digital Contrast Control Page: 163
Raw Converter Choices Page: 170
An Introduction to Adobe Camera Raw Utility Page: 170
Summary of Digital Photography Cardinal Rules Page: 184
Chapter 11 The Zone System and Studio Photography Page: 186
About Bill Brandt’s Photograph Page: 186
Introduction Page: 187
Digital Workflow and the Power of the Zone System Page: 190
The Lighting Studio as a Creative Environment Page: 191
Understanding Flash Meters Page: 192
The Creative Sketching Process in the Studio Page: 196
Studio Exposure Methods: Flash Spot and Incident Meters Page: 197
Understanding the Lighting Studio Zone Chart Page: 199
Incident Meters Never Lie Page: 201
The Masterwork Re-creation Process Page: 203
Some Comments Regarding Equipment and Workflow Equipment Page: 204
Steps in the Process Page: 205
Summary of Preceding Steps Page: 209
The Shooting Process Page: 210
Appendices Page: 214
Appendix A Color Management, Profiles, and Color Spaces Page: 216
Profiles Page: 217
Color Spaces Page: 220
Color Managing Your System Page: 223
The RIP Alternative Page: 232
Appendix B A Primer on Studio Lighting Photography Page: 233
Controlling Strobe Brightness in the Studio Page: 233
The Visual Qualities of Studio-lit Subjects Page: 235
Appendix C What Is a Pixel? Page: 245
Pixel Size Page: 245
Screen Pixels Page: 245
Digital Image Sensor Pixels Page: 245
Scanners Page: 246
Printers Page: 246
Appendix D Bit Depth Page: 247
Appendix E Exposure and the Digital Linear Effect Page: 249
Linear versus Nonlinear Page: 249
Nonlinearity, Zones, and Human Vision Page: 250
The Digital Linear Effect Page: 251
Appendix F Digital Light Meters and the Zone System Page: 256
Digital Light Meter Settings Page: 257
The Zone System and Digital Meters Page: 258
Previsualization, Placement, and Contrast Measurement Page: 259
Exposure Determination Page: 260
Appendix G A Primer on Basic Film Photography Page: 264
Photographic Emulsions Page: 264
The Negative Page: 265
The Print Page: 265
Processing Page: 266
ASA Page: 270
Paper Grades Page: 270
Graded and Multigrade Photographic Papers Page: 271
The Camera Page: 272
The Aperture Page: 272
The Shutter Page: 274
Exposure Page: 274
Appendix H Films, Developers, and Processing Page: 278
The Basics Page: 279
Developer Notes Page: 280
Film Notes Page: 281
Processing Notes Page: 283
Appendix I The Practical Zone System Film and Developer Testing Method Page: 285
The Testing Process Page: 285
Appendix J Film and Developer Commentary by Iris Davis Page: 289
Appendix K Alternative Methods for Extreme Expansion and Contraction Development Page: 291
Expansion Page: 291
Contraction Page: 291
Appendix L Contrast Control with Paper Grades Page: 293
Appendix M Developer Dilution Page: 295
Appendix N Compensating Developers Page: 296
Compensating Formulas Page: 296
Two-Bath Compensating Formula Page: 297
Water Bath Development Page: 297
Appendix O Inspection Development Page: 299
Appendix P Condenser and Diffusion Enlargers Page: 300
Appendix Q ASA/ISO Numbers Page: 302
Appendix R Filter Factors, the Reciprocity Effect, and Bellows Extension Factors Page: 303
Filter Factors Page: 303
The Reciprocity Effect Page: 303
Bellows Extension Factors Page: 304
Appendix S A Compensation Method for Inaccurate Meters Page: 305
Appendix T Zone System Metering Form: In-Camera Meters Page: 306
Appendix U Exposure Record and Checklist for Zone System Testing Page: 310
Materials Page: 312
Materials for Sheet Film Page: 312
Steps Page: 312
Roll Film (Alternative A) Page: 312
Sheet Film (Alternative B) Page: 313
Appendix V Examples: Zone System Applications Page: 314
Christine Alicino Page: 314
David Bayles Page: 316
Dan Burkholder Page: 318
Judy Dater Page: 321
Chris Johnson Page: 322
Robert Bruce Langham III Page: 324
Wynn Bullock Page: 326
Appendix W Suggested Reading Page: 329
Film Photography Page: 329
Digital Photography Page: 329
Technical Resource Books Page: 330
Creativity and Ideas Page: 330
Appendix X A Brief Directory of Online Digital and Photography-Related Resources Page: 332
Some Digital Technical Reference Sites Page: 332
Digital Photography Resources Page: 333
Photoshop-Related Applications Page: 333
General Photography Sites Page: 334
Some Virtual Galleries and Museums Page: 334
Documentary Photography Sites Page: 336
Some Other Art-Related Photography Sites Page: 336
Photo-Artist Sites Page: 337
Virtual Magazines and Journals Page: 338
Appendix Y A Brief Glossary of Zone System and Digital Terminology Page: 339
Index Page: 344