The Zone System allows photographers to capture their impression of the world in the most beautiful visual language: that of b/w photography. Based on the techniques of legendary photographer Ansel Adams, this guide offers a systematic approach that integrates a knowledge of light, exposure, development and print-making. By implementing these step-by-step instructions for each phase in a film or digital workflow, photographers can acheive much better results in their images.
A complete guide to both the technical and creative aspects of exposure in digital photography. It uses a combination of discussion, examples and hands-on exercises that lead the reader through a progression of skills development covering the full range of photographic lighting situations.
Now fully updated for the digital photographer, an authoritative and contemporary guide to Ansel Adams's Zone System, presented by one of the true masters of this influential photographic technique.
In this fifth edition of The Practical Zone System, Chris Johnson updates his classic manual on Ansel Adams's landmark technique for the digital age. Whether you are a beginning, large-format, or professional photographer; whether you work with digital or film; and whether you shoot in black and white or color, the simple visual language called Previsualization will help you to control contrast in order to create beautiful photographs. Entirely new to this edition is a chapter applying Zone System concepts to studio photography. Using Bill Brant's "Nude, Campden Hill London, 1949, May" (cover image) as an inspiration, Johnson demonstrates how the Zone System, traditionally considered to be a methodology limited to the uses of films and developers, is actually a universal visual and conceptual language that dramatically simplifies the problem of creating and rendering complex studio lighting setups. *Written in plain English - Chris has taught the Zone System to countless budding photographers and knows how to explain this complex topic in non-technical terms *The only resource available with comprehensive information on Zone techniques specifically for studio shooting *Information is applicable to film and digital shooters.
Ansel Adams was an American photographer born in San Francisco, California on February 20, 1902. He is considered one of the most important and influential photographers of the 20th century. Adams developed a passion for photography at a young age and began taking pictures with a Box Brownie camera. His first published photograph appeared in the Sierra Club Bulletin in 1922. Adams is best known for his work in landscape photography, particularly his images of the American West. His black and white photographs captured the rugged beauty of the landscapes and helped to influence how people viewed and appreciated the natural world. Adams was also a writer and a conservationist, and he dedicated much of his life to protecting the environment and promoting conservation efforts. Adams was a pioneer in the use of the zone system, a photographic technique that he developed to ensure consistent exposure and tonality in his photographs. He was also an advocate for the use of large-format cameras that produced high-quality images with sharp detail and tonal range. Adams’ photography was characterized by his use of bold contrasts, deep shadows, and rich textures. His images often featured dramatic skies, natural patterns, or the interplay of light and shadow. His photographs helped to redefine landscape photography as a fine art, and his impact on the field continues to be felt today. Adams died in Monterey, California on April 22, 1984, but his legacy lives on through his photographs and his contributions to the world of photography and conservation.
Featuring thirty-two pages of full-color examples, this under-$25 guide is the perfect digital photography reference for serious amateurs as well as nonprofessional photographers who use a digital camera on the job Walks readers through the entire digital photography workflow, from shooting photos and editing them in the digital darkroom to cataloging, printing, and publishing images online Topics covered include selecting cameras, printers, and accessories; mastering basic digital camera techniques; getting great results when shooting sports, nature, landscapes, and people; and working with Photoshop and other image-editing and image-management software Features step-by-step tutorials, full-color before-and-after images, and a companion Web site with bonus sample images plus a mini take-along field guide that readers can print out
