Ansel Adams was a photographer, pianist, playwright, entertainer, mountaineer. AND teacher. For me his Zone System provides a vocabulary and structure which permits a discussion of photographic principles, many of which have been around since the beginning. I find the use of "Zone" terminology an aid to clarity and precision.

Before beginning, it might be worthwhile to review a bit about how photographic emulsions record the various luminance values,

The photographer may influence the appearance of the negative in 3 ways.

Film Selection	Each film has a distinct personality. Just as the cabinet maker selects different woods for different applications, the photographer can select films which help interpret the visualization.
Exposure	Establishing the Proper Exposure Assessing the luminance values in the scene. Understanding how exposure meters evaluate luminance, Establishing the effective sensitivity of the film. The manufacturer will give you a hint, but you should experiment for yourself to find the correct film speed for your equipment and technique. Making Expressive Adjustments
Development	Establishing the Proper Development Making Expressive Adjustments

All well and good when exposing and developing individual sheets of film, but what to do when using Roll Film?

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