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

by Chris Johnson

Book Overview

The Practical Zone System: for Film and Digital Photography 4th edition is an updated version of what has become the classic book on the technique developed by Ansel Adams in the 1940's. The zone system was designed to provide photographers with a precise and intuitive way to control the dynamic range of their negatives to produce printable results regardless of the contrast of the subjects they are shooting. What Chris Johnson has done in this new...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0240807561
• ISBN13: 9780240807560
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Focal Press
• Length: 284 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Best intro to Zone System I've seen

Absolutly easy to understand and read. Very well presented, and may well be the only book on Zone System you will ever need. For those wanting to delve into the chemistry of exposure, pass on this book. If you want to learn what the Zone system is and how it works, this book is great. "Everything you need, nothin' you don't"

Practical, useful, sound guidance on the zone system.

This is one of the easier books to understand on the zone system. It does not get too tied up in the details of the system but describes enough detail to allow the reader to understand the basics of the system. This book is really targeted to someone who is not familiar with the zone system or who has studied it in more complex books and did not really comprehend the system. For this intended audience the book is right on target. It takes the complex issues of the zone system and removes the calculations and just gives you what you need to know. Think of it like the difference between an art teacher who says "Color the grass green" versus one who says "The grass must be green because chlorophyll absorbs the green portion of the light spectrum and so reflected light appears that color". If you just want to know how to use the system without a lot of detail behind why the system works then this is a good book selection for you.

clear & really "practical"

Of the several books I have on Zone, this is by far the best and most easily understood. It's to the point, and has great examples, especially explaining the effects of development time.

The Pratical Zone System

I have found this book, The Pratical Zone System, by Chris Johnson to be the best book that I have read on the Zone System. It explains every detail of the Zone System. Some of the other readings that I have read on the subject make it a complicated system. Mr Chris Johnson's book is very easy to comprehend and it is very interesting. It also makes a great reference manual. Most important is that using the methods in the book you will get the the best results possible creating a photograph. Anyone that is planing on using the zone system or is having trouble understanding the zone system will have all the problems resolved with this book. Joe Pica

should be mandatory for photography students

This has got to be the easiest to read technical book ever written.In just a few hours you will be able to increase your exposure skills by 100%. This book will rid you of any second guessing about which exposure you should use. Follow the test sheets and see for your self. The zone system has never been easier to understand. All students or anyone interested in improveing their photographic skills must read this book!