This was easily the most useful photography lesson I've ever received. To call this a video about metering is really underselling it. If you understand how to implement all of this, you'll take intentionally exposed images every time.

the production, editing, and sequencing of concepts show just how much thought and effort went into making this video. I really can't believe this is free and for that it is invaluable to me as a beginner. Instant sub.

My first time hearing about the zone system and I am blown away. Exposure makes so so much more sense to me now, and I can't wait to use this knowledge while shooting!

I've been doing photography since the '80s and this is one of the best explanations of how to choose your settings based on what the light is doing in your intended image that I have ever seen.

You are a gifted teacher. Clearest explanation of zone system I've seen.

best explanation of film and metering on the internet

I've been shooting film 39 years and counting, I have seen/heard many explanations of all this. Great tutorial for beginners in the zone system. Your delivery was calm and well paced. Showing us what you called a mistaken exposure at the end (given your stated artistic intention) was perfect to include in the video. The light meter is a very artistic tool, as is scanning film. With time and knowledge of the film stock you are using you will make faster decisions based on whether you want the scene as you see it or not. That's a key factor. Do you go to shoot at a given time of the day and month of the year to capture a specific light you are likely to get or do you go to shoot and alter the scene with exposure. That's photography in the field.

No exaggeration, but this is the best photography video I’ve seen. I appreciate your in-depth explanation and examples. Thank you!

I'm new to film photography and you explained metering so well! I now feel like I know what the heck I'm doing! Thank you

Hey Cody! Don’t stop making content like this. You present information in such a stress free yet articulate way. Im learning a lot from your videos. The best photography channel I’ve come across yet. Keep it up!

This is the first video I've seen with the Zone System that I walked away with a complete understanding and not scratching my head and saying wait what!

Love the Zone System, Been doing it since 1999 once I took a photography class at Foothill College in Los Altos Ca, before the digital age. I still use it and still shoot film. I've now found an interest in 8mm/16mm movie film and the zone system is all I know:). Thanks for giving props to the owners who started it. I'm thankful to be from the Bay Area.)))))))))

Man, I’ve been trying to understand the zone system and this was super helpful!

This was a very well written and filmed piece. I've been using the zone system since the early 70s for both film and digital, and I haven't seen a better tutorial. The sliding placement of the zones across the bottom of the screen is the best way to visualize what you're doing. I'm a visual learner, and that's part of why I find the analog meter displays easier to use on all of my meters. They'll pry my Pentax spot meter only from my cold dead hands. ;) Andy

It's odd, Cody, I come across so many digital photographers who either completely disregard the venerable Adams, or, more shockingly, have never heard of the man in the first instance. As you assert, Ansel Adams is one of the progenitors of the Exposure triad - & if you cannot work with (his) fundamental principles of the Zone system - I prefer to remember it as the 'Grey Scale' then I see no point in a more earnest approach to the discipline. In you, I see a reinstatement of values in the art of photography, & it clear you are well versed in your craft. There is a sublime difference between the know-it-all & the more self-effacing, understated professional - you Sir, are the latter; as my Granda would say, "A wise head on young shoulders" - as rare a quality today as ever was. Superb presentation, thank you !

This is the best explanation video I've watched. Thanks! 💯

"To photograph is to capture varying degrees of light." That's fireeeeeee, put it on a t-shirt haha 🔥🔥

Like everyone else already said it’s an amazing explanation of how to use the meter for film. I spent so much time looking for a good explanation but I never found one. However I believe I get it now thanks man!

This is legitimately, in full sincerity, the best KZfaq tutorial-type video I've ever seen, and I'm an INSTANT fan of your style, your work, and your channel. Thank you for this gem.

Less than 6 minutes in and I already learned super value information. You explained that very well - thank you!

Hey, I'm a novice and I really enjoyed your ( lesson?), I got more out of this video than I got from watching a score of other videos. Your video was concise and very thorough yet easy to understand. The explanation of the zones really help me grasp a little bit better the concept of light metering. It had really been elusive before this. I've watched video after video without really feeling like I had a clear understanding. Your explanation of the zone concept which I never heard before and the triangle were great for me. Thanks again for sharing.

Holy smokes. As a newbie who is hungry to learn, this was way more than I hoped for. Excellent video!!!

Intro so good. I don’t shoot film but it’s inspiring to watch a master talk about his craft in such depth. Makes me want to get better at what I do. There’s layers to this shit!! Epic video as always dude.

I haven't shot film in years and this brought back so many memories of that period. To this day, I still rely on a handheld meter for much of my metering, although with a lot of experimentation, I've developed suitable substitutes that are reliable and repeatable (such as spot metering off the back of my hand and adjusting accordingly). Experimentation is an important factor in getting to understand all of the variables one has to work with as a photographer. One of those variables that's often forgotten about is the "box speed" of a film; the ISO that's on the side of a box of film is just a starting point, a nominal ISO, if you will. If you mix and match films from different manufacturers that have the same ISO, you'll often find variations in the end result, so it's important to spend time getting to know a particular emulsion, something which Ansel Adams clearly did a lot of, so he's a great reference point for anyone starting in film and it's great to see him mentioned in this video for that reason alone.

One easy way to overcome the wide dynamic range of the backlit shot is to use a soft grad filter. Two of my medium format cameras have a 77mm thread so this is easy to attach various filters. Also, bracketing is essential for some difficult to meter shots so you can choose the best capture that reflects the moment you want to remember or emphasis (sky detail). I use an old Pentax spot meter as it is easy to convert EV ratings to choose the right combination of shutter speed and F stop. Great work on explaining density theory and film types.

This is the best exposure explanation I have ever seen. I’m doing photography for some 20 years but seriously this is awesome!

This was phenomenal. So comprehensive, yet simply explained.

I’ve been using a DSLR (Pentax K-3 Miii Monochrome) as a spot meter to help me expose film in my 35mm cameras (Pentax MX). This will help me expand what I’m doing with that workflow.

I have NEVER heard the Zone system broken down so well where I could truly comprehend exactly what is going on, instant subscribe man

This is a must watch for anyone shooting film. You’ve articulated good exposure in a way that anyone should be able to pick up an analog camera and go out to capture great images on film.

This is simply a wonderful explanation of the joys of metering. You have real skills sir!

i've really been struggling to understand metering and stops and all that technical stuff, and this video seriously feels like it's in a course, it has really helped me get my head around it, thank you so much!

One of the clearest explanations of how to meter that I have seen so far - with Kyle McDougall's.

Oh my god, the amount of incoherent videos and articles about metering I have read. This was so easily (and artfully) explained, I'm just blown away. Instantly more knowledgeable with your channel.

I shot thousands of rolls as a kid but moved to digital as a teen in the mid 2000’s. Late last year I got my dads om-1 and grandfathers rollie 75 2.8 back in working order but have been struggling mightily with properly metering a scene for the exposure and look I want. This video changed that, thank you 🙏

Can’t believe I’m just watching this for the first time - it’s unbelievably helpful as a beginner. Thank you so much for sharing with examples!

Like so many people who are into photography, I'm a visual guy and I loved the sliding scale over the zones for exposures. I suspect if you had just explained it without the graphics I wouldn't have understood it but now I get it. Another excellent point you made is that a spot meter always meters for 18% gray or Zone V. Applying that to your sliding scale graphics will help me improve my exposures. Thanks, Cody. I just subscribed.

Easily the best analog channel i had ever came across. I love your editing and filming style. Gives me a “documentary” feeling to it. Keep it up!

this only video on youtube explains how the zone system work, I finally understand it now

i put so many videos in my “watch later” playlist but this one I actually watched on the spot, super glad I did. Stellar lesson, friend.

You did a great job in this video. I have been playing with cameras for many years, shooting film and processing it in my home darkroom. I read a lot of books by and about Ansel Adams and it took me a while until I was comfortable with the Zone System. Then I switched to digital photography and to this day I am not 100% convinced it is real photography. I am sure I will get flamed when people read this. Your video was the best explanation of density and metering I have ever seen. I wish this had been available when I was first learning but hey, the Internet did not exist then. I am going to look for more of your videos. Respectfully, I would like to make one suggestion regarding your videos. The music is distracting and not very good. The video would have been better without the music. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

Thank you for introducing the difference between negative and slide film. I agree with your viewpoints on slide films. Thank you. I used to enjoy the Sekonic L-358 and incident metering for Kodachrome and the newer E100.

I have been hearing about Ansel Adams’ zone system for a long time and could not get my head around it until I found your video. You really brought it down to ‘easy-to-chew’ bits. Thanks for this video!!!

I know the comments already do a fantastic job but I can't stop gushing at how amazing this video is. An incredible resource for any level of photographer, most especially those of us just starting their film adventure. Thank you!

Hi Cody! I'm a photographer from NYC and just came across your channel. Just wanted to compliment such a well-thought-out, concise, easy-to-understand video. Thank you so much for sharing it, can't wait to watch more of your content!

Thanks, Cody; although I understand the process of compensating for the light, I always needed clarification on how to meter. I think it was understanding what the meter was reading in correlation with how to adjust for the image I wanted. Thanks for clearing that up with your examples. It helps me understand...Cheers for assisting another photographer.

Really awesome video on how to spot meter, thanks man. The only thing that is missing is more details on all eleven zones.

Top notch videos man! Want to get back into film photography and your videos are by far the best I've come across. Cheers from Serbia!

That was interesting. That was the first time I’ve ever seen the zone system explained using color film.

If complete control of film exposure is desired, learn the Zone System. The Zone System allows you to get the images the way you desire them to be/the way your eyes and brain see them.

This is the greatest challenge for young photographers. One distinction that I think needs to be added is landscape photography requires mostly spot metering while street photography and portraits utilise mostly incident metering. Great video

Thank you for this! more often then not most of these I’ve seen are all fluff, this was great and to the point.

Honestly, Cody, this is one of the most informative and helpful videos about lighting, metering, and exposure that I've ever seen. Thanks so much for taking the time to edit it together for us, and please keep up the amazing work!

The most helpful video on film metering

Just saw Pete McKinnons shoutout and watched this as I've been wanting to get into film! Such a fantastic video! Thanks so much.

Very coherent and informative. I've been considering buying my first film camera and I came here from Peter's "G.O.A.T.S." video. Thanks for the info in the video, I'm excited to start learning.

I've watched so many videos on metering, so many seem to ignore high contrast images and your video perfectly explained the information I needed. Thank you so much

Great examples, So well done. First video of yours that popped up for me. If my TA's at Uni were as clear as you, my results would have been a lot different.

Liked and subscribed. FINALLY... someone explained the zone system the right way. lol... I'm a professional photographer but that in the digital world is completely different from the film world. Great video!!

Wow!, All this time and expense trying to understand something you have explained in a 10 min video. Saying that is greatly under stating the depth and expertise you have you have managed to put in that video. You have provided a well rounded explanation in a manner that seems clear, concise, friendly and informative. Your talent in doing this is much appreciated and I hope you go far.

This video speaks so much to the nerd in me. Absolutely love it

First time coming accross yoir chanell this was a great video, as a photographer of more than 30 years I started out shooting film and migrated to digital and so the difference when it comes to exposure is something I understand well, as well I have always understood spot metering with the camera itself using the cameras meter this is the first time I have seen someone use a spot meter to map the ranges in the frame and use the zone system to establish best exposure settings this is a fantastic strategy That I have never used. I have always compensated for the area I could meter and the exposure over/under I was looking for to produce the file or negative I needed to work with. I'll be looking for a meter like this soon as I am also looking for a medium format 6x8 or 6x9 film camera to capture the largest resolution files possible without taking out a mortgage. Great video! It's been a while since I learned something that made me feel like I should have known this! 👍

Thanks for making this video, it was really insightful and I have never thought about these density zones like this before. I'm going to incorporate this into my process next time I do some film photography. As for the last image in your final thoughts, with high contrast shots like that, there's always bracketing. I'm sure you already know this, but maybe for people new that are reading, it costs an extra couple shots but you'll get the shot you want and helps you learn what the film is capable of.

Probably the most useful photography video on the internet.

Cody an inspirational journey indeed.

this is a great video and takes me back 30 years while studying photography at collage

I have watched millions of videos about metering and this one is by far the best video i have watched. Thanks a lot, Cody! Subscribed at lightning speed :)

It would be interesting to see your approach to incident light metering. This was really clearly explained. Clears up things I was dimly aware of.

Super helpful. I have a medium format on the way and this was essential.

Great video! Love Ansel Adams. My favorite color film is slide film though, so a video dedicated to this would be fantastic.

Very well explained Cody! It’s really refreshing to see your honesty at the end. Plenty of KZfaq channels where everything always goes perfect but in reality mistakes are all part of it.

So well explained, inspiring, and so enjoyable to watch. Didn't think I'd get to learn something new about something I thought I knew as much as I could about already. Thank you!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for sharing not only your knowledge but also these very valuable experiences! I am amazed by the quality of your work and explanations.

I could not love this video more. Thanks for creating and sharing it!

Solid video, Cody. (One quick suggestion: please inform your viewers that those negatives are in protective sleeves (and that one should keep their fingers off of actual negatives!)

I have been shooting film for years and this is BY FAR the best and simplest explanation of how to use the Zone System. Clear, concise, with perfect examples. WELL DONE! :)

Wow. That was amazing. You taught me the zone system in a concise and clear video. Thank you Very much.

This is the third quality video I've seen from you in the last few days. Not suscribing would be stupid

I was just reading about the Zone System from Ansel Adams and this is spot on. The examples were super helpful.

Who needs Skillshare when Cody lays it all down? Great stuff. Cheers!

Excellent video! Thank you for the in-depth instructions on metering. I think I need to brush up on the Zone System now!

This is the best video on photography in general that I have literally ever seen. Thank you.

Great video, Cody! The zone system has always been a super intimidating subject to tackle. You nailed it!

Thank god for Cody! I’ve heard people explain zone metering at least 3 times now and it’s either too boring or missing a clear explanation. Thank you for always giving us your best 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

This video was so helpful. As someone who learns visually, your explanation and examples made all the difference. Thank you!

10 seconds in, instantly subscribes 😂 that’s all I needed to see

Great use of the Zone System for regular(Non Large Format) photography. I shot film for over 15 years and never used my light meter in this way. I did use averaging various spot meter readings, but that does not always work. Thank you !

extraordinarily helpful 🙏🏻 can’t thank ya enough

Great video. No BS, just clearly explained and demonstrated knowledge. Thanks, Cody.

Thank you for sharing your precious knowledge and experience, it helps me a lot get more conscious with the magic of light in this world.

Both a super useful, well put together video and a gigantic mainline of nostalgia for hanging out at Lizard's Mouth. 11/10. Keep it up my dude.

Fantastic little video. I have started shooting film again after a lengthy digital hiatus. Part of why I am, once again, enjoying analogue, is the challenge. Narrow dynamic range vs Raw digital, means creative choices and compromises. But when you get it correct, it is fun as heck. Thanks for this detailed refresher!

Graduated neutral density filters are great, especially on scenes like the final one in the video.

Watched this months ago and I still reference it 😍

One of the best and clearest explanations I’ve heard - thanks. I’m imagining a kinda slide rule with zones and shutter speeds…

Abslolutely freaking awesome!!!! I am not sure what to choose as the best. The "how to proper exposure" explanation or your hability to "Teach". So thoroughly clear, the subjects, the timing, the examples (even foulty ones) I am just speachless. Congratulations and thank you very much.

One of fewest videos on youtube with such details explanation of zone system! Really appreciate it

This was the best explanation of the zone system I've ever heard/seen! Thanks so much!!

Subscribed, the editing on this video made everything extremely digestible and easier to comprehend

Definitely one of the best videos I've seen about proper exposure metering since being in class in the 80's. Great refresher. Do you also work with GND filters to manipulate the zone settings? Maybe could have saved your orange sky. Again thanks for the refresher course.