What is the Shadow area of a subject ?

Is the shadow area or part of a subject simply the
darkest part of the subject you select ?
For example when you are in the downtown areas
of many cities where there are dozens of tall buildings
and NO direct sunlight, except the light from the sky
above, what are the shadow areas? The darkest part
of the subject you select?

As highlight is the brightest part of a subject.
Is Shadow simply the darkest part of a subject ?

Thanks in advance
Denny B

Denny B wrote:

Is the shadow area or part of a subject simply the
darkest part of the subject you select ?
For example when you are in the downtown areas
of many cities where there are dozens of tall buildings
and NO direct sunlight, except the light from the sky
above, what are the shadow areas? The darkest part
of the subject you select?

As highlight is the brightest part of a subject.
Is Shadow simply the darkest part of a subject ?

Thanks in advance
Denny B




The three commonly used terms are shadow areas, midtones and highlights. If you
think in terms of an 11 step Zone System, with Zone 0 being black without
texture and Zone 10 being white without texture, then the shadow areas would
occupy Zones 1, 2 and 3, while the midtones would be placed in Zones 4, 5, and
6, and the highlights, Zones 7 ,8, and 9.

http://www.cicada.com/pub/photo/zs/tables/01.html

Think of the terms as each relating to a range of tones, not any extreme. If
you have a light meter, consider making a zone scale or zone wheel to go with it
to help visualize the various steps.

References: Phil Davis, Beyond the Zone System
http://www.stacken.kth.se/~maxz/files/ZoneWheel.pdf


Francis A. Miniter

"Francis A. Miniter" wrote in message
...
Denny B wrote:



The three commonly used terms are shadow areas, midtones and
highlights. If you
think in terms of an 11 step Zone System, with Zone 0 being black
without
texture and Zone 10 being white without texture, then the shadow
areas would
occupy Zones 1, 2 and 3, while the midtones would be placed in Zones
4, 5, and
6, and the highlights, Zones 7 ,8, and 9.

I take it then to judge for shadow you use your judgement
best you can for example and set for Shadow, judging
if it is a zone 1,or 2 or 3.
There seems to be no getting away with it that you have
to use indivudal judgement.

Denny B



http://www.cicada.com/pub/photo/zs/tables/01.html

Think of the terms as each relating to a range of tones, not any
extreme. If
you have a light meter, consider making a zone scale or zone wheel
to go with it
to help visualize the various steps.

References: Phil Davis, Beyond the Zone System
http://www.stacken.kth.se/~maxz/files/ZoneWheel.pdf


Francis A. Miniter