The Practical Zone System for Film and Digital Photography: Classic Tool, Universal Applications

I still shoot and use film for some of my portraiture and as I shoot a c.1975 Mamiya m645 without an-camera meter, I knew this book and the skills taught inside (especially pre-visualization) would be useful. Certainly I was proven right when I developed the first roll of film after following Johnson's methods. My negatives were dense and beautiful and yielded almost precisely the image I had hoped to capture. That, alone, was worth the price of the book.Like many working photogs, though, I primarily use digital in my day to day work. I wondered if this book would be really relevant to the experience of "shoot -- chimp -- adjust -- shoot -- repeat" that most of us do.I'm pleased to report that it is.Johnson clearly explains how your camera sensor records information and how a working knowledge of the zone system -- and, btw, it's a simple learning curve to competence, if not mastery -- will allow you to better translate your ideas onto that medium. This may not make a hoot of difference for someone firing 10fps at a football game, but for those who prefer to make photos, instead of just find them, this book is a quiet little gem.Highly recommended.

I have really enjoyed this book. As a digital shooter who's been dabbling with film again for the first time since I was taking dark room classes in high school, Johnson's work has really helped bring back and clarify technique I may or may not have learned way back when. As promised in the first few pages, his description of the zone system is truly more practical and less theoretical and dense than many of the other descriptions I've come across.In short, after reading Johnson's book, I am able to put the zone system to work...or at least I'm beginning to. As with all things analog, it takes practice.As a digital shooter, there is less in this book for you, but in the current edition Johnson does a good job of explaining how some concepts apply to digital photography throughout the book...but there is only one chapter specifically dedicated to the zone system and digital photography.All in all, great resource!

If provided technical explanations for a few processes i didn't have the background on. For example, It explained darkroom activity. I don't think I'll ever have one, but it made things clearer for me.

I've been away from film photography for a number of years and the Zone system in particular. The book does a very good job of explaining the Zone system and how to apply it. It's not easy, and can be tricky to put into practice, but with some study and a lot of shooting, the results are well worth the effort.I'm not getting much better photos with my 4x5 monorail view camera on the first go round, without needing to bracket my shots.I'm happy with the results and the way the information is presented in the book. Definitely a must for the serious armature or semi-pro black and white photographer who want to set up his game.

It has interesting parts, mainly the explanation of the tone zones, and they can be useful. I lost interest in reading halfway through the book when it begins descriptions of digital photography, the already well-known subjects.

Not an easy read, but instructive for those who both take black and white pictures and develop them--either in the darkroom or computer.

An outstanding book for understanding and utilizing the zone system. It gives that extra edge to take photography from snapshot to artistic accomplishment. I am not only pleased, but amazed by its content.

Very good book!

The author is obviously a very good teacher. All is explained in a clear manner and often asked questions are answered. It is not just about the zone system, aspects related to making a good exposure with film and digital are covered along with a great deal of information I did not realize had such an impact on the finished print.If you are in any way confused about the zone system then this book I am confidant will enable you to become a confidant user.It is rather expensive but when I consider how much time and money I have spent trying to get to grips with the subject it is, for me, a bargain.

This book transposes Ansel Adams principles to very practical aspects. The author's approach is accurate and useful. This is a book for either film or digital photographers; a modern approach to the zone system. If you take photography seriously this is a "must have" and must read and study.

This is an excellent explanation of the Zone System for both film and digital photography with clear explanations of practical applications. Well worth reading!

A very engaging read. Almost read it at one go. The concepts and the practical aspects of the zone exposure explained very clearly. Any one interested to learn the theory and practice of getting the exposure right based on the zone system, need look no further.

A most interesting book