Zone System

In photography, the Zone System is a technique invented by Ansel Adams to simplify and standardise the production of black-and-white photography. The Zone System allows a photographer to translate their idea into a print.

The Zone System separates the pictures tones into eleven zones, numbered using Roman numerals.

0: Pure black

I: Near black

II: Dark gray / black

III: Very dark gray

IV: Medium dark gray

V: Medium gray (equal to Kodak's 18% Grey cards)

VI: Mid-tone gray

VII: Light gray

VIII: Gray / white

IX: Near white

X: Paper base (Pure white)