How well do YOU understand exposure? Do you know enough to get into one of my advanced workshops?

Question

I have found 7 levels of exposure understanding:
1. Full auto, using either auto exposure or match-needle with older film cameras.
2. Auto exposure, knows to use auto-exposure lock and reframe for scenes such as sunsets.
3. Uses exposure compensation for non-average scenes such as snow. Sets exposure using a gray card (or their hand) or a handheld ambient meter. Believes in 'perfect exposure'
4. Spot meter readings of important tones. Incident meter with compensation. This is the start of creative exposure expression.
5. Uses the Zone System shadow placement technique.
6. Uses the Zone System for shadow placement and development for contrast range expansion or compression, or actually understands digital HDR. Full creative expression
7. Understands the physics and math of exposure theory.

1-3 is a beginner, 4-5 is intermediate, 6-7 is advanced or expert.

Photogs must SHOW they are in 5 or 6 before I will accept them into advanced workshops.

Most of mine are beginner workshops...

Great answers and discussion so far, for the most part!

Craig, why would I want to take one of your workshops when I teach advanced workshops myself? Where did you get the idea that I ONLY teach exposure? I just wanted to get a discussion going on one topic, exposure.

Animal, does my avatar look like a girl's avatar???

I'm off to Hawaii with 3 ladies for 8 days, probably won't be posting much.

Answer 1

#7 but I just sold my original 1st edition, Picker THE ZONE VI WORKSHOP The Fine Print in B&W, on eBay and was really bummed that it only brought 16 bucks. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260141557968&ssPageName=STRK:MESO:IT&ih=016

In #7 you mention the physics and math of exposure theory but what about the chemistry of exposure and development? Without a thorough understanding of the chemistry involved in film and paper development I'm not sure that you can fully understand what you are doing when you expose the light sensitive material.

Answer 2

I have been using a combination of methods for many years, both the basic incedent method off of the back of my hand, the "key stop" system based upon the film's ASA and the amound of footcandles falling into the scene, and where applicable, the Zone System as discussed by Ansel Adams in his books The Negative, and The Print. But, the Zone System only works well when you can, in your mind, SEE the finished print in all it's tonal possibilities while you are on the scene about to shoot the photograph. I find the Zone System, as I use it, works best for B&W photography, whereas I use a combination of incedent, reflected, and "key stop" systems for color cinematography.
When I was shooting T-Max 100, or 400 for the newspapers, I experimented with various processing styles, as I didn't like the look that T-Max developer gave me. Still too grainy. Eventually I settled on T-Max 100 or 400, processed in HC110 developer at 85 degrees for about 5 1/2 minutes. It gave me smooth continuous tones, while still seeing deep into shadows, and would even resolve the skyglow of city lights on the undersides of low clouds, or skylines at night. Along with very careful printing, with properly-controlled dodging and burning techniques, I was considered one of the best B&W processors and printers on the East Coast, according to the Photo Editor of the New York Times.

How'm I doin?

Answer 3

I'd say that I'm at 5 for practical purposes.

I can't really say that I'm at 6, just because I use roll film and contrast expansion-compression doesn't work so well without being able to adjust individual sheets.

With that said, though, I've spent a lot of time studying at 7, and consider myself well versed in the physics and mathematical aspects of photography, as well as the chemistry behind how film works.

Answer 4

I'm straddling 4 and 5. I started to evaluate the Zone System as it fit my needs and abilities in the 70's and backed off, as I was no longer doing any darkroom work. I took what I did learn and at least consider it for difficult situations, but I admit that levels up to 4 are where I can say that I am quite comfortable.

Interesting question. I hope a ton of people answer it.

Answer 5

Probably at 5-6. Know some knowledge in 7 but can't put it into practice yet.

Answer 6

I am at 4 with a limited basic inkling of 5. I will never ever get to 7, and that's OK.

Answer 7

between 6 or 7 you can take one of my classes if you want to.. I dont dwell on Exposure as much as creativity, what good is correctly exposing a terrible photo?

Answer 8

If your a hot girl I'll give you all the exposure you will ever need