Using Zone System on Digital - A "Share-and-Learn" Workshop

[photobum]

Using Zone System on Digital - A "Share-and-Learn" Workshop

Date:
Sunday, 25 June 2006

Time:
2:00 - 6:00 pm

Duration:
4 hours (2 hours lecturing and 2 hours shooting)

Fee:
S$45.00

Language medium:
English and Singlish

Location:
Singapore Waterfront, near Empress Place Building (nearest MRT station: Raffles Place)

Number of participants:
8 persons

Skill level:
Beginner to Intermediate

This workshop is for you if:

• Your digital images lose their feel when you download them to your PC
• Other exposure books lost you in the first few pages
• You have heard of the term "Zone System" and think that it is some kind of political boundary like GRCs
  
• You are looking for a quick method to improve your exposure skills
• You inherited a spot meter and you do not really know how to use it
• You think your auto-everything and super-expensive camera knows the difference between exposing a black surface and a white surface
• You always shoot with your camera set to "Auto" or "Program" mode

Requirements:

• a DSLR or any Prosumer digital camera (preferably one that can shoot RAW files) with manual exposure mode
• a camera with built-in spot meter or a handheld spot meter
• a laptop with GIMP, PrintShop Pro, Photoshop 7, CS or CS2 installed (if we have enough laptops we may even share)

Introduction:
Based on the system used by master photographer Ansel Adams, the Zone System is a method of exposing and printing extremely high-quality photographs. While this system can be daunting to new photographers, this workshop provides step-by-step instructions for learning the mechanics and the art of this innovative technique.

Topics will include:

• why must I use Zone System when I can shoot in Program mode
• what is Subject Brightness Range (SBR)
• what is approximate reflectivity
• how to read and use a light meter (built-in or handheld)
• how to exposure for highlights (applies to slide and digital users)
• what the zone numbers mean
• gray card tests
• why shoot in RAW/is JPEG bad
• how to interpret histograms
• how to adjust tonal range in Photoshop
• how to perform tonality expansion and contraction digitally
• Dynamic range vs. Contrast
• And more.....

Materials:
Notes are provided on location and through emails

Let me leave you with this infamous quote:
"Every provocative subject has a body and a soul. Your camera only captures the body, while your interpretation of light captures its soul." - Minor White

Please PM me for more information on this workshop.

[NathanLogic]

I am interested. Pls keep me posted on the event. Thanks

[mitchell]

Sent you a PM.

[eng_keow]

Hi,

I am ok for June Sunday pm except for 11.6.06. Please keep me informed or call me at 98331032 when things firm up.

Thanks

eng_keow

[nightwolf75]

Originally Posted by photobum I am feeling "Zen" these days, so I may conduct the workshop at Chinese Gardens. Does anybody if there is a McDonald's or Burger King in this vicinity so that we can sit down for discussions?

the nearest mac to chinese garden is at jurong east entertainment centre.

if u have a saturday class, do let me know?

[espn]

I'm in.

Would prefer a saturday or sunday morning.

[eng_keow]

Originally Posted by photobum Can anyone suggest a nice place to photograph (must be quiet) with a fast food joint in its vicinity so that we can sit down, discuss and use the power outlets for our laptops?

How about West Coast Park McDonald's? Not sure how busy it will be at that time. Otherwise, I am not sure if we will be driven out if we use the brown benches in NUS campus in Kent Ridge.

[espn]

My notebook can last 4 hours... I don't need a power supply... if it's SBG I can still make it, but what? It's going to be a weekend or weekday?

[espn]

Originally Posted by photobum I am planning to conduct it on a June Sunday afternoon, my friend... No weekdays because I work.

Okie... then I'll have to withdraw... sunday afternoons reserved for family Cheers and hope this goes well.

[eng_keow]

Originally Posted by photobum I rather not conduct the workshop at NUS. I encountered some bad experiences last time. I have Botanical Gardens or Chinese/Japanese Gardens in mind, but I will need POWER for laptops. How I wish I am in Rochester now..... Got beautiful places to photograph on campus plus abundance of fast-food joints with power outlets. Some fast-food places here intentionally sealed-up or hinge-locked their power outlets to discourage folks from tapping into their power.

If we have it in SBG, can still walk to Serene Centre's Mac. Otherwise there is always the food haven nearby.

[yymun]

I am keen if it is sunday afternoon! need to know the date b4 confirm, need to seek permission from sunray

[AncientMariner]

Originally Posted by yymun I am keen if it is sunday afternoon! need to know the date b4 confirm.

Same goes for me too except for the permission part.

[whoswho]

Originally Posted by photobum Here is a short introduction and layout of this workshop: Based on the system used by master photographer Ansel Adams, the Zone System is a method of exposing and printing extremely high-quality photographs. While this system can be daunting to new photographers, this workshop provides step-by-step instructions for learning the mechanics and the art of this innovative technique. Topics include: why must I use Zone System when I can shoot in Program mode what is Subject Brightness Range (SBR) what is approximate reflectivity how to read and use a light meter (built-in or handheld) how to exposure for highlights (applies to slide and digital users) what the zone numbers mean gray card tests why shoot in RAW/is JPEG bad how to interpret histograms how to adjust tonal range in Photoshop how to perform tonality expansion and contraction digitally Dynamic range vs. Contrast And more.....

Can I add the following to the agenda?

• Recognising Lighting Scenarios that's best for ZS (Soft skill)
• Practicing pre-visualisation of scene before practicing ZS (Soft skill)

[photobum]

Originally Posted by whoswho Can I add the following to the agenda? Recognising Lighting Scenarios that's best for ZS (Soft skill) Practicing pre-visualisation of scene before practicing ZS (Soft skill)

- Recognising Lighting Scenarios that's best for ZS (Soft skill)
I will cover this subject under Subject Brightness Range (SBR)

- Practicing pre-visualisation of scene before practicing ZS (Soft skill)
I will cover this one under what the zone numbers meant

[zhixiong]

I am interested to attend on the 25 June but don't have a portable computer. Is it OK?

If fine, please confirm my slot.

[photobum]

Vacancy filled. Thanks guys!

Okay, here are a new list of all confirmed participants:

1. reves
2. eng_keow
3. mitchell
4. Fuji Olykon
5. jdredd
6. VeryGreen
7. Zhixiong
8. Cecil

[yaoxing]

When's the next intake? I wish to join the course.

[photobum]

Originally Posted by yaoxing When's the next intake? I wish to join the course.

I will judge from the first intake if there will be a second.