Seow Jie Yi (0318873)
Introduction to Photography
Exercise 3: The Zone System
LECTURE
This week, Mr Vinod told us about the zone system. The zone system was created by Ansel Adams, he is a great photographer. He mentioned that the light meter in our camera is not trusted and we should not take it for granted that whatever reading the camera gave is correct. This is actually caused by how the camera functions as it assumes all background has the same tone which is in zone 5, also known as middle grey. He explained that when the light meter is 0, it mostly signifies that the photo is in zones 4, 5 and 6. Besides that, we were told that each zone is equals to 1 stop of the aperture.
These are a few images that was given by Mr Vinod:
INSTRUCTION
1. Choose 3 different subject matters of varying tones.
2. Firstly, take a photo of the subject matter that has varying shades of white.
3. Next, take a photo of the subject matter that has varying shades of grey (middle tones).
4. Then, take a photo of the subject matter that has varying shades within a dark area.
WORK
Light
Aperture: f5.6
Shutter speed: 1/60
ISO: 200
Aperture: f5.6
Shutter speed: 1/100
ISO: 200
Medium
Aperture: f3.5
Shutter speed: 1/20
ISO: 200
Aperture: f3.5
Shutter speed: 1/13
ISO: 200
Dark
Aperture: f4
Shutter speed: 1/3
ISO: 200
Aperture: f4
Shutter speed: 1/6
ISO: 200
REFLECTION
From this exercise, I have learnt that we should not depend on the camera too much as it is already proven that the light meter is dumb and it gives us false readings. If we follow the light meter reading of the camera, the photo taken may not be the desired photo as it will automatically change all of the tones of the photo into middle grey which will then make the photo unappealing.
Although I usually would play around with the black and white setting in the camera but I had never heard anything about the zone system. I have always loved this setting because the pictures taken that are in black and white always gives me a nostalgic feeling. When I first heard about it, I only knew that it is meant for the black and white setting but I have no idea of how it works. But after having this lecture about the zone system, I understand more about it and now I can snap better pictures with the black and white setting without worrying taking a picture that looks either too bright or too dark.
SCREENSHOT
Exercise 3.b.
INSTRUCTION
1. Choose a photo or take a photo of either a landscape, still life or human.
2. Sketch the photo that you chose of took and determine the zones that are found in the photo.
3. Write down which zone the shade belong to together with the aperture and shutter speed.
4. Determine the subject that is chosen to be prioritised in the photo.
5. Decide on the final zone, aperture and the shutter speed.
6. Take a photo using the settings that you have decided.
REFLECTION
As I have mentioned before in the previous reflection that we could not fully rely on the camera's light meter and expect to get a photo that you desired because the light meter of the camera is dumb. It is not able to show the real readings as it automatically sets it to middle grey. Therefore, we have to learn how to get the photo that we desired by using the metering mode in the camera. Although it may be a little more complicated than just taking a simple photo but by using the metering mode to get the reading from each subject matter and finalising the readings that you want, you can take any photo and it will turn out as you have desired.
FEEDBACK
General feedback: Mr Vinod told us that our labelling of the assignments were a little bit wrong as we should have put 2.a.i. instead of just 2.a because for some assignments there are more than one part for the specific topic. Other than that, he also mentioned that the reflection that we wrote in our eportfolio is very important. Thus, we should try to elaborate as much as possible.
Specific feedback: Mr Vinod said that my reflection that I wrote for the previous post which was about the Terengganu excursion trip was written pretty well. Furthermore, he also told me that the part where I wrote about my experiences of using the camera is what he wanted us to write. Although he said that but he also wanted me to elaborate more if possible. Besides that, he also commented about the photo that I chose for the previous post that I had over exposed it a little bit because the batik is the subject matter in that photo and I wanted to focus more on that. Thankfully, he understood why I did that without me explaining the reason as to why it was over exposed.
4. Determine the subject that is chosen to be prioritised in the photo.
5. Decide on the final zone, aperture and the shutter speed.
6. Take a photo using the settings that you have decided.
Aperture: f3.5
Shutter speed: 1/20
ISO: 200
As I have mentioned before in the previous reflection that we could not fully rely on the camera's light meter and expect to get a photo that you desired because the light meter of the camera is dumb. It is not able to show the real readings as it automatically sets it to middle grey. Therefore, we have to learn how to get the photo that we desired by using the metering mode in the camera. Although it may be a little more complicated than just taking a simple photo but by using the metering mode to get the reading from each subject matter and finalising the readings that you want, you can take any photo and it will turn out as you have desired.
FEEDBACK
General feedback: Mr Vinod told us that our labelling of the assignments were a little bit wrong as we should have put 2.a.i. instead of just 2.a because for some assignments there are more than one part for the specific topic. Other than that, he also mentioned that the reflection that we wrote in our eportfolio is very important. Thus, we should try to elaborate as much as possible.
Specific feedback: Mr Vinod said that my reflection that I wrote for the previous post which was about the Terengganu excursion trip was written pretty well. Furthermore, he also told me that the part where I wrote about my experiences of using the camera is what he wanted us to write. Although he said that but he also wanted me to elaborate more if possible. Besides that, he also commented about the photo that I chose for the previous post that I had over exposed it a little bit because the batik is the subject matter in that photo and I wanted to focus more on that. Thankfully, he understood why I did that without me explaining the reason as to why it was over exposed.
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