ePortfolio Week 5 - Assignment 3a The Zone System (6 Sept 2013), Assignment 3b Ansel Adam's Shot (15 Sept 3013)

6.9.13 (Week 5)
Vanessa A/P Ah Lir, (0315830)
Introduction to Photography
Assignment 3a The Zone System (6 Sept 2013)
Assignment 3b Ansel Adam's Shot (15 Sept 2013)


LECTURE

1. Exposure meters are dumb.

2. The Zone System chart:

3. Ansel Adams developed the Zone system. His technique was to carefully study a scene, visualize the final print, then determine the correspondence between portions of the scene and tones in the print. He would then meter, expose the image.

4. The Zone System is to expose film/ccd for optimum image quality— to make sure all the critical information is present. 

5. Tones in scenes and prints are divided into nine zones, numbered 1 through 9 from dark to light. 

Zone 5 is, by definition, subjective middle gray. One zone difference is one f stop difference.

6. Zone System description:

7. Application of Zones:

Instructions - 3a The Zone System

Light, Middle & Dark Tones (5%)

Marking Criteria: The student must show evidence of using the Zone System technique to capture an ‘accurate exposure’ of a subject with light tones, a subject with middle tones and a subject with dark tones. An accurate exposure entails ‘visible tonal values and details’ in all three tonal areas.

Exercise 3a - The Zone System

Choose 3 different subject matters of varying tones.

Tint, Tone & Shade

Photograph:

An Image that has different shades of White

An Image that has varying shades of grey (middle tones)

An Image that has varying shade within a dark area.

Choose one scene for each category (Tint / Tone / Shade) and capture them at what the camera says is the right exposure and another similar scene at what you think should be the appropriate exposure.

(First image: Right exposure according to camera)

(Second image: Right exposure according to myself)

[BRIGHT] Shutter Speed: ¼, Aperture: 8.0, ISO: 200

[BRIGHT] Shutter Speed: 0”5, Aperture: 8.0, ISO 200

[MEDIUM] Shutter Speed: 1”, Aperture: 5.6, ISO: 200

[MEDIUM] Shutter Speed: 0”5, Aperture: 5.6, ISO: 200

[DARK] Shutter Speed: 15”, Aperture: 4.0, ISO: 200

[DARK] Shutter Speed: 2”, Aperture: 4.0, ISO: 200

Instructions - 3b Ansel Adam's Shot

3b) Ansel Adams Shot (5%)

Marking Criteria: Students must show evidence of using the Zone System. Student must produce 1 black & white image that captures depth and richness in tonal value by capturing light, middle and dark tones while maintaining details (texture and tone) in the dark and light areas of the image.

Exercise 3b

Shutter Speed: 250, Aperture: 5.6, ISO: 200

Screenshot

Exercise 3a

Exercise 3b

FEEDBACK

General Feedback

- Try to refrain from being absent
- Attempt exercises even if you are not sure if you are right
- Even if we can assess information and knowledge through the Net, being present in class is also very important because you can have practical, hands-on experience and peer to peer discussion, which makes it an even more effective way of learning.

Specific Feedback

- Exercise 3b - Very interesting composition, subject was a little complex but nevertheless optimum image quality was achievable.

REFLECTION

When I first understood about Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO, I thought that was it to photography. However, when the Zone System was introduced, I realized there was actually more to photography. But then, I should have known earlier because the subject is called 'Introduction' to Photography. The Zone System probably makes the difference between professional and beginner photographers.