Digital photography has made tremendous strides in the past several years. Photographic software has made it possible to alter photographs post capture and clean up defects, enhance lighting or color, and accomplish any number of effects. However, there are still some basics, especially regarding the dynamics of exposure, lighting and workflow that every photographer should fully understand and master.
A Brief History of the Original Zone System
Until Ansel Adams published his 1948 classic book, Camera and Lens, technical photography was confined to scientists who could make sense of extensive log scales and exposure tables. This technical data made it possible to optimize photo exposure beyond the standard "guestimating" used during the photo shoot, based on what was visible, the camera's view finder and the photographer's level of experience.
Adams took this technical data and devised a less complicated process to make photos as fully dynamic as possible. He called this the "Zone System". This system controlled and isolated the 10 distinct tones that make up a photographic exposure, making it possible for photographers to envision the results of an exposure and then execute a capture that could more closely mirror what the artist had in mind for the finished work.
Mr. Adam's Zone System attempted to simplify the complexities of the technical process of predicting and optimizing the exposure and then follow through with completing the project in the printing process. However, his system proved difficult to master and involved complicated procedures to generate the finished photographs.
In today's digital photographic sphere, the principles introduced by Adams can be used to produce results that go far beyond the non-digital methods of Ansel's era. Calibration and lighting tests can be accomplished in a fraction of the time required by the original zone system.
To make a 21st Century, Digital Zone System work, a photographer needs to know how his equipment will perform before the actual shoot. This requires a consummate procedure for calibration and testing to accurately predict the results.
New Digital Zone System Fundamentals
Remember, you want to be able to pre-visualize your results and cannot simply rely on the camera's view finder or LCD preview. Capturing images is about recording light-that means getting the exposure right. The following are some factors to bear in mind when understanding a new Digital Zone System that will take photographers into the 21st Century and beyond.
- The quality of light you wish to capture and communicate to a viewer
- A comprehensive workflow process that takes you from capture to print
- Post processing techniques to enhance the captured image
- Understanding light sources and their effect on color and contrast
- Exposure control to prevent highlight "clipping" and preserve shadow detail
- Use of a Zone Scale to pre-visualize tones in a print.
Digital photographic imaging is about fully comprehending the basis of photographic exposure. In order to achieve this kind of understanding you need to test the complete system used for capture: the camera, the lens and the lighting! The knowledge gained from proper testing procedures allows for more accurate exposures that guarantee the highest quality of image information. The mastery of this process will lead to the kind of photographs that separate the great photographer from the good photographer.
Lee Varis has worked in the field of photography for over 35 years and is widely known for his Hollywood movie posters and video covers. Lee´s creative imaging has been featured in National Geographic and Fortune magazines as well as numerous trade publications including: Photo-Electronic Imaging, Studio Photography, PC Photo, Rangefinder Magazine, Photo District News and Mac Art & Design.
Lee's expertise offers the pinnacle of digital photography techniques for the intermediate and advanced photo imager seeking to increase his or her competence level. His books: Skin: The Complete Guide to Digitally Lighting, Photographing, and Retouching Faces and Bodies-just released in its second edition and "Mastering Exposure and the Zone System for Digital Photographers" are essential additions to the libraries of photo-technicians everywhere. To receive a FREE, exclusive, 2-part PDF tutorial guide that will introduce you to essential photo techniques that will make your photos shine with expertise, visit: [http://www.varis.com/DigitalZoneSystem/VarisLanding.html]
Mr. Varis conducts nationwide seminars on the finer points of digital photography and maintains close relationships with numerous top hardware and software companies including ongoing consultation services on beta testing programs. He is also the president of LADIG (Los Angeles Digital Imaging Group) To see Lee's newest photo tips, projects and photographs visit: http://www.blog.varis.com/
