Klaus asked why neither Judy nor myself had said what objections we had to the
zone system. It is not for me to speak for Judy.
I do not object to the zone system ! ! ! ! ! ! !. BUT :
!. The zone system was designed to cope with the relationship between what film
can accept and what silver gelatine paper will print. For people who like this
working method it can work well.
2. It is a complicated system.
3. It is only one of many ways of controlling contrast. Many of the others are
more simple and as effective and have been around for longer.
4.To suggest that controlling contrast through exposure and development is the
zone system is analogous to suggesting that all dogs are chihuahuas as the
chihuahua is a dog.
5.Of course the zone system can be amended to cope with alternative processes.
But there is no need to . The right choice of film, developer, exposure and
development will give better results with less effort. That choice does not
depend upon the zone system.
If people wish to use the zone system for alternative processes because it suits
there working methods and analytical approach that is their freedom.
6. The confused logic and semantics of confusing the zone system , which is one
of many ways of controlling contrast, with the overall
principle has led to the zone system being taught as the only way of controlling
contrast. This can be disastrous for students with a more empirical approach.
7. I report that professional printers I have known regard the zone system as
being in the province of the anorak.
Terry King