Farzad's book a provides a practical and simplified application of the zone system, a topic that sends most tyro photographers running. So Farzad never mentions the "z" word. Instead, he provides a simple explanation of how photographic exposure systems work (regardless of camera type). He follows this with a simplified methodology to employ with an on-camera spotmeter (found on many popular cameras today) to ensure proper exposure. The system is based on science but with use becomes intuitive. "Cheat sheets" for popular cameras incorporating spotmeters are included to facilitate application of the principles applied.

This is a well-produced self-published book, wiht lots of simple graphics to illustrate the concepts conveyed. Farzad himslef is an accomplished amateur photographer and photographic instructor; examples of his work can be found on his website. If you are Ansel Adams, this book is not for you. If you want to begin to approach Adams' technical style, start here.

16 of 17 found the following review helpful:


An Excellent Primer on Achieving Accurate Exposure  Dec 02, 1998
The Problem: How to get your camera to accurately expose for scenes of widely varying colors and contrast when your camera's built in meter can only see the world as 18% Gray?

The Answer: Read this book!!

In one bold stroke (one brief, lucid book) Mr. Farzad has completely de-mystified the technique of achieving proper exposure on color slide (and negative) film. His explanations are quite clear and simply presented without sacrificing the more subtle aspects of the "art" of exposure control. The book clearly explains the power and limitations of the on-camera spotmeter, basically teaching you how the meter "sees" the world. Once armed with this knowledge it is an easy step to then understand the proper use of exposure compensation in order to produce the kind of pictures that you want. Reading the book is like having a private lesson from the kind of teacher who can make even the most complex subject seem utterly simple. I particularly liked the analogies and graphics that he used to reinforce the concepts. The book can be easily read in a few hours and they are hours well spent. In addition, the book contains appendices with additional more advanced material (if desired) as well as exposure "cheat sheets" for most of todays available 35mm SLR's. In my opinion, reading this book is the quickest and cheapest path to improving your images. It should be the first book you read after the camera manual.

11 of 11 found the following review helpful:


Very useful to a beginner  Nov 03, 1999
The book is actually way too elementary most of the time. But I give it four stars for one reason. The fact that it drives home one point, which was a revelation to me. "Any normally exposed simple subject, irrespective of its tone, will be exposed by your spot meter as 18% gray" If you don't get the above statement, buy the book.

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