To me, a photograph is a personal interpretation of a scene. Until I learn how to interpret that scene and then paint it with light using the tools at hand I am not in control of the outcome. Therefore I am not achieving the image seen in my mind's eye. When I am successful at achieving the pre-conceived image as a negative, darkroom printing is remarkably easy and the result is a physical print to be proud of.
I just want to share this experience as it has been rather profound.[/QUOTE]
Agreed it is a good experience, which in my case seems never ending. When you get those low tones right by design (rather than divine intervention) it is a good feeling. My understanding after reading all the "zone masters" is they still had a lot of darkroom work to do but the previsualization gets you 60-70% of where you thought you wanted to be. The hardest part is figuring out what in the scene should be a zone 1 or 2 or 3 in a print since your eye sees it differently. I'm surprised at how often I get it wrong erring on the "keep shadow detail" side and end up exposing more than I really wanted.
I just want to share this experience as it has been rather profound.[/QUOTE]
Agreed it is a good experience, which in my case seems never ending. When you get those low tones right by design (rather than divine intervention) it is a good feeling. My understanding after reading all the "zone masters" is they still had a lot of darkroom work to do but the previsualization gets you 60-70% of where you thought you wanted to be. The hardest part is figuring out what in the scene should be a zone 1 or 2 or 3 in a print since your eye sees it differently. I'm surprised at how often I get it wrong erring on the "keep shadow detail" side and end up exposing more than I really wanted.