zone system

The zone system still remains the most complete way of understanding how light, equipment,film and chemistry work together. Although the tests necessary to gain a knowledge of the system can be tedious and boring, it is time well spent. This can be very true if you are just starting and wish to increase you level of technical appreciation. I also should say that the tired method of rating 400ISO film at 200ISO in reality usually produces negatives that are flat in the shadow area (a result of excssive detail) and, at best, a flatten mid-range. This type of negative "has to" be printed on a paper of higher than normal contrast to produce a decent black in the shadow area. What happens is that the raise in contrast is necessary to subtract the additional information that was placed in the shadows by overexposing. Modern films latitude rarely require the over expose/underdevelop as common practice.

[ Previous | Next ]