Pushing the values in Black and White film

[Marvin Mattelson]

So many questions and so little time.

There is a book called "The Practical Zone System" by Chris Johnson. It is by far the best photo book I ever read. The only one I would recommend. This book explains the zone system in layman's terms. Some zone books can be mind numbingly technical. Basically you overexpose the film which gives you shadow detail and underdevelop it for highlight detail.

I have my own darkroom. I develop and print my own photos. It would take about $35,00.00 to buy a digital system which equals the resolution and the density range of my reference prints. That price doesn't include the additional cost of a divorce lawyer or a funeral.