Introduction to Photography

2.5.2014, week 5
Wafaa' Najihah (0319770)
Introduction to Photography
Exercise 3: The Zone System

Lecture

Today, Mr. Vinod lectured about the zone system. He stated that the exposure meters are dumb because it assumes that all scenes have the same average tonal values (zone 5 - middle grey). Zone system has nine zones which starts from zone 1 until 9 (black - shades of grey - white). If a scene is different, it will exposed incorrectly. Then, he showed us some of amazing photos taken by Ansel Adams. The important thing about the zone system is that you can visualize the tonal values that you wanted in your final photo by adjusting the exposure. 

Useful Informations

Instructions
Exercise 3(a): Highlights, Middle Tones and Dark Tones

1. Visualize the tonal values of your final photo
2. Take two photos; what the camera sees and what I see
3. Compare the two photos and prove that zone system affected the photos

Exercise 3(b): Ansel Adams Shot

1. Take a picture which has light, middle and dark tones
2. Maintain the details in the dark and light areas of the photo
3. The photo must have the accurate tonal values 

Marking Rubric
Exercise 3(a): Highlights, Middle Tones and Dark Tones (5%)
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 3(b): Ansel Adams Shot
Students must show evidence of using the zone system. Student must produce one black and 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 3(a)
Dark Tones

ISO: 3200, aperture: 5.6, shutter speed: 1/6

ISO: 3200, aperture: 5.6, shutter speed: 1/25

 Highlights

ISO: 320,  aperture: 5.6, shutter speed: 1/1000

ISO: 320, aperture: 5.6, shutter speed: 1/125

Middle Tones

ISO: 1400, aperture: 5.6, shutter speed: 1/30

ISO: 1400, aperture: 5.6, shutter speed: 1/60

Exercise 3(b)

aperture: 11, ISO: 3200, shutter speed: 1/4000

labelled with the tonal values

Screenshot of Exercise 3

Feedback

general feedback: Mr. Vinod told us that we did great on our ePortfolios.

specific feedback: Mr. Vinod said that my exercises were accurate and the results seem to suggest that I have understood how to use the zone system. I have to include my sketch which is to reveal my zoning and subsequent adjustment. Then he mentioned about my ePortfolio is good but he could not find any points of contention - sorry for the inconvenience, sir! He asked me to continue my good work and keep reflecting as per instructed. 

Reflection

experience: On today's class, instead of having a discussion first, Mr. Vinod made a short quiz via Twitter. It was quite nerve-wrecking and I was not ready but I have answered the questions even though some of the answers are not correct. During the exercise 3(a), at first, I was lost about what we need to do but in the end, thank you to my fellow classmates for helping me out. But, my first photos were rejected and I went out from the class again to take better pictures. Fortunately, Mr. Vinod accepted them and I felt relieved that my photos are accepted after few trials. On the second exercise, it is quite tricky because I have to do by my own and I cannot ask someone's help. On the other hand, we must have 9 zones in our photo and it was super hard for me to look for a scene that has 9 zones at the same time. Somehow, I have succeeded to take a photo but I am still not sure wether it is correct or not. 

observation: From what I observe, after learning about the zone system, I gained a lot of knowledge about photography and personally, my photography skill is getting better. Instead of depending on the auto mode, I have finally know how to adjust the exposure and also know how to visualize the tonal values of my final photo even though I am still new on this thing. When the zone system is applied on a photo, I was happy because the result is the same as my expectation. The zone system chart is very useful for me because when I was doing my task, I referred on that and it worked. 

findings: From what I experienced, personally, I am proud of myself that I am able to take a good photo by applying the zone system and the exposure even though I am quite new. To be honest, I was not really understand what is zone system when Mr. Vinod lectured about it but when he asked us to do the tasks outside the class, slowly, I understand it. But, I know that I have to improve myself by practising taking more high quality photos and get used to it. Thank you, sir for all the knowledge!