Zone system

K mann

K mann

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Ok so I purchased Ian's 'Digital Zone plug in). I have tried it out and I must say I do like how you can target separate tones. What I did do though was use the eye dropper and when clicked with the mouse I found it easier to identify tones to enable me to select as near as I could the correct target....Ian, would this be the right way with the eye dropper for better selection?
I have chosen this image as a sample. The before and after of course!
 

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  • _DSC5167-with-zone-system.jpg
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The individual zones selection will have a slight amount of feathering applied to compensate for adjacent tones which could be in both camps.
Using the eye dropper as you said, can help you create a tighter selection but just keep your eye on the edges to make sure you are still getting the soft transition.
 
I'm sorry but I can't see any difference but maybe that's just because of the limited size and the way the forum software presents image
 
K mann said:
In what way did you not see any difference?
Click to expand...
In that there is no obvious difference that I can see.

According to Kaleidoscope differencing tool, there is a very slight tonal difference and there are two artefacts that you have erased but, without that tool… ;)

Capture d’écran 2021-07-16 à 16.24.35.png

To my mind, your image is well within range and shouldn't need anything doing to it in terms of using the zone system to bring it into range.

I haven't seen Ian's tool because I don't have Photoshop but I would only normally think of making such adjustments when the shadows appear to be vastly under-exposed. And then only with RAW files, not jpegs.

Here is a version that I ran through DxO PhotoLab, just using the spot measure Smart Lighting tool and a tiny tad of tone curve

_DSC5167_1_DxO.jpg
 
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Let me make it clear, I love the image you have posted. What I am saying is, apart from removing the rubbish, I wouldn't have bothered with the zone system at all. The tonality is spot on for me.

But this is an example of where I did use the digital zone system

Before

_JNA0074_3_DxO.jpg

After

_JNA0074_2_DxO.jpg

Would you like a copy of the file to see what Ian's tool can do with it?
 
I see what you mean. What I have to get used to is using a new Pro monitor as well. The image of the wier as was makes a mist excellent print....
Yes your image would make a good test sample
 
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