Zone System: Step by Step Guide for Photographers [Paperback]

Brian Lav (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2001

Based on the system used by master photographer Ansel Adams, the Zone System is a method of exposing and printing extremely high-quality black and white photographs. While this system can be daunting to new photographers, this book provides step-by-step instructions for learning the mechanics and the art of this innovative technique. Topics include using and calibrating a light meter, exposures for shadow, Standard Contact Time (SCT), plus and minus development, and gray card tests. These techniques are made accessible for both small and large format cameras.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brian Lav has had his work featured in Manhattan, The Platinum Print, and Graphic Arts. His clients include the New York Giants, the New Jersey Nets, AT&T, and the New Jersey Devils. He lives in Hampton, New Jersey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Amherst Media, Inc. (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584280557
• ISBN-13: 978-1584280552
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,475,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Basic and practical - an easy read, September 5, 2001

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zone System: Step by Step Guide for Photographers (Paperback)

The Zone System is a system for getting "perfect" negatives and development of black-and-white photographs. For those of you who are familiar with the work of Ansel Adams and his remarkable black-and-white photographs, they are fine examples of the use of the zone system and he was a proponent of the system.
Basically it details how to get the right lighting exposure for a photograph. By dividing the gray scale into eleven segments that are related to f-stops and shutter speeds it teaches how to place your subject in the right zone. In addition it teaches where the darkest areas should fall, how to determine where the highlights fall, how to compress or expand the zones in development, etc.
If you want to rise above the average photographer then knowing how to use the zone system is a requirement. This is an excellent book on the system and details it's use in an very user friendly manner.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zone System simplified, December 16, 2001

By 

JEFFREY A WIMER (Albany, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zone System: Step by Step Guide for Photographers (Paperback)

I have been studying zone system off and on for over twenty years. I have read numerous!!! articles on how to perfect you own personal zone system. I have always wanted to sit down and write my own personal "guide" to that system. "Zone System", by Brian Lav has created my guide for me; at least the first half. Brian's book is consise and steps right through and simplifies the calibration process. Thank-you, Brian.
Hopefully Brian will step up to the plate and take us into an advanced guide. With his writing style I am sure it will be a hit.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zone System simplified, December 6, 2001

By 

JEFFREY A WIMER (Albany, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zone System: Step by Step Guide for Photographers (Paperback)

I have read several books on zone system over the years, and have practiced the art as time has allowed. "The Zone System", by Brian Lav, takes all of the literature that I have read over the years, and condenses them all down into a simple and easy to follow format.
I started out several times to write my own guide on the complete zone system process, taken from all of the multitude of articles I have read, fortunately Brian has written the first half of my guide.
If I were to start out in the zone system or needing to start out again, Brian's book would be the one I would turn to first. The book from start to finish, steps you through the way of establishing your own zone system.
Great work Brian, now for the second half of my guide please.