13.03.15  (Week 5)
Felicia Chong Khei Mink, (0322359)
Introduction To Photography 
Exercise 3a: Zone System
Exercise 3b: The Ansel Adam's Shot

Lecture:
For today, we had a group discussion about Zone system before Mr.Vinod's lecture. We had so many questions about Zone system, even though we had watched the videos and reading materials given, we did not really understand about it. After Mr.Vinod entered the class and started his explanation , I started to know what it is. So, for the practical exercise, we asked to go out to the corridor and take photos regarding our exercise.  All of us did Exercise 3a and then we head back to classroom. Mr.Vinod then assigned another assignment which is aboutThe Ansel Adam's Shot . This is harder compare to Exercise 3a as it need time and sketches to be done. 

Instructions: 

Having learned that the camera light meter is dumb, because it gives you an average or optimized (middle grey; zone 5) exposure irrespective of the subject matter, execute the plan below to prove the theory and record you thoughts on the matter in your eportfolio.

Exercise 3a: Zone System
1. Capture three subjects: one light zones, middle zones and dark zones.
2. Take two images for each subject, one exposure according to the camera's light meter and the other according to the zone you believe the image falls under.
3. Ensure that the subjects you choose for each zone area (light, middle dark) have a good range of tones within the zone's area. As an example if you are capturing a subject that falls under the light zone and the subject is a white wall, it is only going to have 1 shade of the light zone, so avoid such subject matters, choose subjects that have a healthy tonal range within the white zone. 
All pictures must be in black and white. 
  
Exercise 3b: The Ansel Adam's Shot
Choose an image worthy of being called an Ansel Adam's shot (Still Life, Landscape or Portrait).
In using the Zone System sketch and write down the perceived zones in the desired image and indicate the ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed used. Identify the point of interest and state the exposure settings recommended by the camera light meter and your improved settings upon using the zone system. The image captured must fulfill the following criteria:
3b) Ansel Adams Shot (5%)
Marking Criteria: Students must show evidence of using the Zone System. Student must produce 1 black & white image that captures depth and richness in tonal value by capturing light, middle and dark tones while maintaining details (texture and tone) in the dark and light areas of the image.

Exercise 3a: Zone System 

F3.5, ISO 100, S1/30

F3.5, ISO100, S1/60

F4.5, ISO100 ,S0"8

F4.5 ,ISO 100, S1/5

F 4.5 , ISO 100, S1/125

F4.5 ,ISO 100, S1/30

Exercise 3b : The Ansel Adam's Shot 

Following camera's exposure meter.

F3.5 , ISO 400, S1/40 (Zone4) 

Following zone system.

Screenshot of Exercise 3a: 

Screenshot of Exercise 3b: 

Feedback: Felicia, you managed to showcase that the meter is inaccurate under certain conditions (when taking picture of white or black objects/subjects). However your choice of subject matter in the subsequent exercise was disappointing. It isn't called the Ansel Adams shot for no good reason, it is hoped that you would aspire to capture an image that comes close to being as good.
While the exercises by and large seem like it has fulfilled its purpose, I however feel that you can do a whole lot better. Your reflection was good, you tried to explain what you observed and found as a result of your exercise, good. I would like to see more fluency in your descriptions which would require you to contemplate analyse properly before writing your sentences.
Reflection: 

Experience 
At first , I thought Zone system is just about black to white, but after the class, I realized that Zone system is not as easy as I thought. There's something called middle grey which is Zone 5. Camera doesn't really know the tone of the pointed view so the exposure always show us middle grey .In order to change the zone, I need to change the shutter speed. To change to higher zone which is brighter, I need to adjust to a slower shutter speed which allow more light to enter. Thus a brighter image formed. 

Observation : 
I understood about what Zone system is and what is it for. After Mr .Vinod showed us on how to take Ansel Adam shot, I finally know how to do it. Since Zone system only contains black to white, I have learnt how to see colorful things is black and white by following the table. I also observed that if I did not understand the previous lesson well, I would not be able to complete this exercise as I need to adjust the exposure meter in order to get the right zone. Eventually, I realized that it is not a must for the exposure meter to become zero in every photo. Take photo which is rich in tonality , this is what Mr.Vinod told us and I need to keep that in mind. 

Findings: 
What I found out after this lesson is that the zone system actually help  to enhance the quality of the photo, which make the photo look more real. I found that we need not always adjust the exposure meter to 0 as we need to believe in our eyes too. I also found out that if I wanna take photo of the sky, I need to depend on the colour of the sky more as I set it as a major. But at the same time, I can't lose the other things in the photo, so I need to choose shutter speed which is in between, it's a safest choice, so all things can be seen .