What is the Zone System in Photography?

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Besides our still photography, we can also use these Zone System ideas in our videography, especially in regards to setting contrast levels through light placement and power. After all, modern videography is simply an electronic recording of cinematography.

A major motion picture cinematographer works with lighting more so than cameras. They are deciding where and what gets light or shadow, changing zones as they see fit to achieve the intended result.

Sometimes when I’m processing digital files with my ultra wide curved screen monitors and a full featured program, I wonder how Weston, Edwards, Adams, or Lange would have used these amazing modern technologies of photography.

Actually, I think I know. They would use them to the full when it suited their purposes for an image, or adjust as little as they wanted to achieve the desired results. One thing I think I know for sure, they would enjoy this every bit as much as I do.

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