The famous Zone System was devised and developed by Ansel Adams, who is arguably the greatest landscape photographer ever.
While it is called a system, it is in essence a well-defined process to give photographers complete control of the process, end to end, right from capturing an image to the final print. It is regarded as one of the seminal developments in photography.
At the first look, it may sound complex; hence many photographers shy away from using it. Some are of the opinion that it is no longer relevant. This article cuts through the confusion, explains its usage in simple terms and discusses its relevance in the digital age. So, read on.
Relevance in the digital age:
The Zone System was formulated primarily to control the capture of images on film, its subsequent development and then printing in the darkroom. Since we are now in the digital age, many do express a doubt if it is still relevant. The answer is yes. While the development part is perhaps no longer relevant, the Zone System is still very pertinent to digital photography, since it will make you understand the whole process of setting the exposure scientifically and precisely. It will also give you an idea how your final print will appear, whether it is produced in a lab or using an ink jet printer. Zone System can assist to you to measure the brightness range (contrast) of the scene you are photographing accurately. This will help you to decide, for example, the bracketing interval and the number of exposures you need to make for creating a High Dynamic Range (HDR) image set. This is the first step for creating a good HDR image, say, of an interior of a building with a very high contrast.
What do you need for using Zone System:
Denne historien er fra March 2019-utgaven av Smart Photography.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 2019-utgaven av Smart Photography.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
EISA Awards 2024-25
EISA, the Expert Imaging and Sound Association has revealed the winners of its 2024-2025 Awards and being the sole representative of EISA in India, Smart Photography is pleased to bring you the results in real-time.
Nikon hints at incorporating RED video tech
Nikon’s recent acquisition of cinema camera giant RED has sparked speculation about the integration of RED’s advanced video technology into Nikon’s future camera models.
The Best Google Phone Yet, But Not Perfect
The 2024 Pixels mark a significant shift from their predecessors, as the Pixel 9 series positions itself as Google’s flagship for the AI era. Unlike compact AI devices such as the Humane Ai Pin or Rabbit r1, the new Pixels serve as an interface to Gemini, Google’s advanced AI model.
Sirui's new tripod launched at an affordable price
Sirui has launched a new tripod designed for professional videographers and photographers, priced at $499.
World's first optical exchange AF lens
Samyang has announced a groundbreaking innovation in lens technology: the world’s first Optical Exchange AF Lens.
Nikkor 28-135mm Power Zoom leak sparks excitement
Earlier this year, Nikon made headlines by acquiring cinema camera manufacturer Red, a move that hinted at the company’s potential entry into the cinema market.
7Artisans launches 35mm f/1.4 Mark III lens
Chinese lens manufacturer 7Artisans has launched a completely redesigned 35mm f/1.4 Mark III lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras.
Super Prime!
Sigma is the largest independent lens manufacturer in Japan and has over 18 % of the Japanese market. It is unique because all Sigma lenses are developed and manufactured in Japan.
Mini Wonder
Panasonic made a tepid start with the S1 in the full-frame market. However, the situation changed rapidly with the launch of the S 5 II and S 5 II X.
Buying A New Camera
So, you've finally decided to get yourself a new camera. Hope you have taken your spouse's permission!