The practical zone system: A simple guide to photographic control

Teaches photographers how to recognize the zones both on the print and in the field or studio, to previsualize their photograph and expose accordingly, to access their prints and negatives for contrast, and to test equipment for reliable results.

California photographercollege teacher Johnson was a friend and follower of the late Ansel Adams, whose development of the "zone system" for black-and-white film exposure and processing was a major contribution to American photographic art. The author here undertakes instruction in that system without "highly technical explanations that confuse." Clearly and logically, with illustrations and helpful diagrams, he tells how to "pre-visualize" a picture and explains zone system requirements of contrast control, using a zone scale of gray areas linking the subject to shutter-speed and exposure choices, and similar analysis of elements in a scene to be coordinated with later developing and printing. A basic photography primer and glossary of terms are appended for reference. This is a job well done, but as is perhaps inevitable, the subject remains complicated.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.