After watching Perfect Exposure for Digital Photography from PhotoshopCAFE, you likely will never shoot another photo in auto mode again. This video for Windows and Mac operating systems features instructor Tim Cooper, who shows you how to use the zone system for capturing crisper, more detailed shots with greater depth.
In just over an hour, you'll learn how to start nailing exposure and taking your images to new heights. You will even learn how to use your camera's built-in meter to get great shots. Tim has a straight-forward style that is easy to understand. This course takes the confusion and mystery out of metering and image capture processes.
The Zone System
Find out how the original zone system is the forerunner of modern exposure and discover why you need to learn how to meter
- Learn the difference between Incident and Reflected Meters
- See what a meter actually does, and why it does it
- Understand the phrase “Meter for your midtones, and check your highlights”
- Find out what type of metering patterns your camera has and how to use them
- Learn the original zones and what they represent
- Discover the usable zones of today’s digital cameras
- Determine why you would want to use Manual vs. Aperture or Shutter Priority Exposure Modes
- Realize the similarities between a Zone and a Stop
- Demystify the histogram and see how it relates to the Zone System
- Discover how to visualize tones in your photograph
- Find out how to meter in difficult situations
- Learn what to do with difficult subjects
- Become skilled at reading available light
- Learn how to meter for fill flash
- Learn how to determine which split neutral density filter to choose
- Determine the exposures for blending images together in Photoshop
- Discover how to meter your scenes to create the proper images for the Merge to HDR function in Photoshop
Lessons
- Part 1: Introduction to the Zone System, both where it originated and where it's headed.
- Part 2: Answers to the question, "Why would I want to learn about the system?" plus an overview of what you will be learning in the following sections.
- Part 3: Covers the different types of meters, metering patterns, and how they operate. Learn about the original zone system by Ansel Adams and how it was the precursor to modern exposure. Discover why you need to learn how to meter, and learn the difference between Incident and Reflected meters.
- Part 4: Understanding the Zone Scale and how it relates to your digital camera. Things like the sensors and latitude are defined. See what a meter actually does, and why. Understand the phrase, "Meter for your midtones, and check your highlights." Find out what type of metering patterns your camera has and learn how to use them. Learn the original zones and what they represent.
- Part 5: This section teaches you how common colors and objects line up on the zone scale, and shows you how to place them correctly for good exposure. Discover the usable zones of today's digital cameras. Determine why you would want to use Manual vs. Aperture or Shutter Priority exposure modes. Learn the similarities between a Zone and Stop. Demystify the histogram and see how it relates to the Zone System.
- Part 6: An in-depth description of the histogram, why and how you would use it, and how it directly relates to the Zone scale. Discover how to visualize tones in your photograph. Find out how to meter in difficult situations. Learn what to do with difficult subjects. Become skilled at reading available light.
- Part 7: This section teaches you how to use the Zone System for the best results when metering scenes for split neutral density filters and fill flash, as well as when creating exposures for blending or the Merge to HDR function in Photoshop. Learn how to determine which split neutral density filter to choose.
About the Instructor
Tim Cooper began his career as a commercial and assignment photographer working with clients such as The North Face, Vasque boots, 3M, and the International Heart Institute. His editorial and commercial photographs have appeared in Travel & Leisure, The New York Times Magazine, Outdoor Photographer, Fly Rod & Reel, Northern Lights, and Private Clubs. His work has also been featured in covers, advertisements, artwork, and editorial illustrations. Tim has also been involved with the Rocky Mountain School of Photography since 1993. He has taught workshops, classes, and seminars, and has also held the positions of Director of Education, Director of the Black and White Program, and Director of Digital Imaging. Currently, Tim serves as a consultant on photographic and digital technologies. He co-authored a book entitled Complete Photoshop CS3 for Digital Photographers.
Mr. Cooper has been traveling all over the nation for several years, helping thousands of photographers hone their craft. His Zone System for Digital Photographers program has always been a big crowd favorite, so for the first time ever, he sat down in the studio and captured it on video.
Mr. Cooper has been traveling all over the nation for several years, helping thousands of photographers hone their craft. His Zone System for Digital Photographers program has always been a big crowd favorite, so for the first time ever, he sat down in the studio and captured it on video.