camera/negative/print

CMoore · Aug 6, 2016

Just wondering how many of you guys own, and have read the the Adams Books.?
I have started with (for better or worse) The Negative. Some of it is a bit "heady" for a beginner, some of it has been helpful. I can see these books also being used as a reference.
I am slowly making my way from front to back, but i have also, before even reading through it once, already gone back and re-read info that i was Curious/Confused about.
What has been your guys experience with these books.?
Thank You

BrianShaw · Aug 6, 2016

I've read them, several times. If your into that level of photographic control they are useful. If your into understanding how photosensitive try works they are helpful. But in the end there are far more easy ways to practice the art of photography.

Theo Sulphate · Aug 6, 2016

Twenty years ago I bought and read them; they helped my B&W photography immensely. Before I read about the Zone System, I had no clue what I was doing.

HiHoSilver · Aug 6, 2016

The first for me was on the negative & I didn't understand enough until I read Barnbaum's Art of Photography - guide to personal expression. Much more made sense, but alot of the older knowledge of the chemistry is not common today. 'Very worth reading anyway.

Dali · Aug 6, 2016

Yes, I read them all 3. Very well explained, very clear. Since, I read several other books about ZS and none of them were on par with Ansel's books.

CMoore · Aug 6, 2016

I am sure there have been many Successful/Professional photographers that did not read the books. They are rather involved.
It all applies, but i can see where using LF Cameras, on tripods, would generate thus stuff.
I can also see where owning a spot meter (i do not) would aid in Using/Understanding The Zone System.
Any knowledge/education is good, but i do not think i will be a devote follower of these books. I also doubt i will ever achieve Adams skill in the darkroom.
As the years go by, and i get better at photography, i can also see myself referring back to these books and Appreciating/Understanding them more and more.

Doc W · Aug 6, 2016

I have all three (including the earlier editions) and I found them very helpful at different points in my learning, especially with regard to development and printing. Some people fetishize his books but to me they are just an example of a good photographer sharing his knowledge. I went back to those books many times over the years as my knowledge increased and as I gained more experience. There is a lot of negative ranting and raving over the zone system in this forum, and to be fair, a lot of others make development into a field akin to subatomic physics, or a religion, but if you take Adam's books as they were intended, they are very helpful and have had an impact on a lot of photographers.

I found another book recently that I wish I had discovered a long time ago: Beyond Basic Photography by Henry Horenstein. His section on negatives and development should be read by everyone who has trouble with the relationship between actual negatives and graphs. He just makes it so darn clear, with really excellent examples.

Poisson Du Jour · Aug 7, 2016

I have "The Negative" bought years ago for the invaluable steps in multi-spot and incident metering, among other techniques. I'm not so much a fan of Adams' subject imaging; it might be the print quality of his books, but many of the images come to me as looking very bland and unserviceable.

A spot meter is not necessarily the tool for the Zone System, but it helps. Consider how useful a spot meter is for narrow-latitude film in many marginal conditions. It can save your bacon, but it will rely to some extent on a modicum of experience and training.

bdial · Aug 7, 2016

They are very good references, but not a very good introduction, IMO.
Find a copy of Fred Picker's Zone VI Workshop, and read it first. If you do, Adams will make a lot more sense.

Bill Burk · Aug 7, 2016

The Negative is the canonical reference for the Zone System. I often refer to it when writing here on APUG because many people check their results against the numbers given by Ansel Adams. So you will need it if you intend to practice the Zone System.

There are many other books written about it, but this one is the benchmark.

Rick A · Aug 7, 2016

Bought my set in the early 70's still have and refer to them.

CMoore · Aug 7, 2016

bdial said:
They are very good references, but not a very good introduction, IMO.
Find a copy of Fred Picker's Zone VI Workshop, and read it first. If you do, Adams will make a lot more sense.

Coincidentally, i Just Got that in the mail yesterday. Have only given it a cursory glance, but.....Yes, it is much better suited to the Average/Beginner than the Adams books.
I cannot imagine a high school student slogging their way through Camera-Negative-Print.

MattKing · Aug 7, 2016

CMoore said:
I cannot imagine a high school student slogging their way through Camera-Negative-Print.

Depends on the high school student .
The Adams series is more of a reference than a beginner's how-to.

It helps a lot to understand in what context Adams was writing - trying to reduce to a system that which wasn't particularly organized before.

Jeff Bradford · Aug 8, 2016

I have the set. They are a useful reference which I do not use as often as I should.

Michael W · Aug 8, 2016

CMoore said:
Just wondering how many of you guys own, and have read the the Adams Books.?
I have started with (for better or worse) The Negative. Some of it is a bit "heady" for a beginner, some of it has been helpful.

I agree these books can be daunting for a beginner. I would recommend the two Horenstein books for someone starting out. The Ansel books have lots of great in-depth information but more suitable for someone with a bit of experience. I also like the Fred Picker book mentioned above. Also the David Vestal ones.

Luis-F-S · Aug 8, 2016

CMoore said:
Just wondering how many of you guys own, and have read the the Adams Books.?
I have started with (for better or worse) The Negative. Some of it is a bit "heady" for a beginner, some of it has been helpful. I can see these books also being used as a reference.
I am slowly making my way from front to back, but i have also, before even reading through it once, already gone back and re-read info that i was Curious/Confused about.
What has been your guys experience with these books.?
Thank You

Own and read all three, if it's a bit heady, you might want to get a copy of Picker's Zone VI Workshop. Similar concepts, not as much detail.

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