The Practical Zone System: For Film and Digital Photography
by Chris Johnson
from Focal Press

Editorial Review:

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 edition is completely update his approach to teaching the zone system with new film/developer testing data and new illustrations and examples.
Most importantly, he has added an extensive new chapter that provides a detailed explanation for how the zone system's conceptual approach and terminology can help digital photographers achieve the highest possible quality from digital image processes. The emphasis is on subjects that include: optimizing digital camera exposure, color management and a fine printing workflow.
Other important updates include:
* Workflow for fine digital printing
* Contemporary images
* Updated film/developer test data
* New film/developer tests
* Updated Appendixes
* New full color edition includes updates on workflow for fine digital printing, contemporary images, and film/developer test data
* Save time using the numerous development and film charts and easy-to-follow testing methods in the book
* New emphasis on the role that Zone System concepts can play in digital photographic processes, while keeping all information from previous edition for film shooters

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

• Easy to understand summary of Zone System
  This book is a clear and well organized review of the Zone System. It includes the Zone System for both traditional film and for digital. The system means properly exposing for certain levels of gray that may appear in your frame. For film, a person may want to properly capture the dark tones in a photograph, and then shorten or lengthen the development time (time the unexposed film spends in chemical developing) in order to achieve the level of brighter tones in the photo. For digital, it's the oppposite.... more info

• At last....
  I wish I had this book 30 years ago. I knew of the Zone system, but heard people talking of measuring densities and base fog and it sounded like a lot of effort. Chris is that rare teacher who can take a subject and make it accessable to all levels. I tell all my photographic friends- GET THIS BOOK. I have given it as a present. My copy is getting dog earred already. This is not just for film. He relates this to the digital world as well. If you aspire to move beyond PHD-(push here dummy) photography, this... more info

• Good Text, Crappy Illustrations
  This book is the current bible of the zone system. Everything you want and need to know about it for both film and digital.
  But Focal Press once again comes through with crappy illustrations. The key to the zone system is being able to discriminate tones. The copy of the book I received has such muddy printing that it is impossible to see any difference between zones 0 to II and VIII and IX on the step diagrams provided. The black and white photos used for examples are equally muddy, making it... more info

• Ansel Adam's zone system to-day
  The zone system was developed by Ansel Adams, who had a consummate grasp of all the technicalities of photography and used his knowledge to depict the wilderness areas he loved and wanted to preserve. However, most serious photographers do not have that technical expertise and do not work with the equipment used by Adams. This book is an excellent account by a current teacher of photography who makes the system understandable and useable in the modern context. It gave me a clear understanding of the way in... more info