How to Meter for Film Photography 

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.

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.

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!

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!

best explanation of film and metering on the internet

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!

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

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

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

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

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

Just picked up my first AE-1 the other day, it’s no Mamiya lmao but this definitely educated me thank you!

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 !

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!

im completely in awe at the knowledge you share!! thank you

Excellent video! Very well put together and valuable. Learned a lot from it!

Wow! What a great video. You packed so much information into such a succinct video. Keep up the good work!

This is the best metering lesson so far. Thanks, Cody!

This was phenomenal. So comprehensive, yet simply explained.

I now makes sense. We thank you for sharing your knowledge on this subject.

one of the most useful video about metering. Thanks a lot.

Absolutely incredible and inspiring video.

Incredibly useful video, thank you! Great job!

easily the most well-made and informative video about metering I've ever seen on youtube. Thank you so much Cody!

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!

Immediately subscribed. This was mind blowing!

I loved your in the field explanation edit. Awesome! Thanks

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

This video was awesome. Very useful and I definitely learnt or re-learnt a lot!

Great video! Delivered with humility and clarity. Really nice photos too. The missed lesson at the end.....BRACKETING.

Best video I have seen on the subject, great delivery, amazing way to show the zone... you are an awesome teacher sir!

This has to be one of the most insightful and coherently explained tutorials on metering. Well done Cody and thank you. This has helped me understand a great deal more

best video I've seen on using the zone system. super intuitive, well done

Probably the best video out there about light metering. Saving this to a playlist to help me learn film photography.

Your explanation is just so easy to understand! Thank you so much for putting so much thought creating this video!

That was one of the best video I've watched on this subject! Amazing job Cody 😁👍🏼

So well explained, I learned so much!

Superb video. I've been lazy to learn about this stuff but you made it so simple to understand. Plus great visual representation and audio quality.

This was incredibly helpful and informative while remaining very accessible. You have essentially taken an amount of information that could easily fill a large book and successfully condensed it down into a video of less than 23 minutes. One of the best videos related to film photography (and photography in general) that I have ever seen. I would note that I've been casually involved with film photography for 50 years and this video has made me realize how much more there is for me to learn. Thank you!

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

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

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.

Love your humility🙂

Fantastic and detailed explanation of zone metering. Thanks for the video and help.

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

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

Hey Cody, thank you for this. Have a blessed day

Best video ive seen. The explanation of the 11 zones made perfect sense for me.

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

Great video man, it was super pleasing to watch and informative

Super useful video. Great lesson, thanks!

Thank you so much for this really really amazing video. It explained a lot and it is crazy to have this for free.

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

It is clear how much effort and thought you have put in this video. You, sir, are an excellent teacher! Thank you very much, this was extremely helpful.

What a video! Thanks Cody! This was absolute knowledge and I appreciate it!

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

Amazing explanation and practical demonstration, really helpful

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

Stellar examples and explanation. Thanks!

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!

Great video Cody. This has helped my Digital to Film transition immensely! Definitely the best practical explanation of the zone system I've come across. Thank you!

This is the best explanation I've heard and sit through this at least a couple more times!

The most helpful video on film metering

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

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

This is legitimately, in full sincerity, the best RU-vid 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.

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

Thank you for this very informative video! Such a good job of providing necessary context on the whats as well as the hows. Now I’m interested to meter better as well haha more power to you, Cody!

So glad I found your channel Cody. One hell of a tutorial you've made here. I've just got my film camera recently and by far your video is the most comprehensive and well made I have seen.

Brilliant video, well done!

Wonderfully put. You need to teach. You have the gift.

Wow so glad I found this ! Many thanks 😊

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

What a great video. Thank you so much!

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 :)

This video is excellent. You explained everything so well, I was super confused at first but watching you shoot those different scenes really made a huge difference. Thank you!

Thank you Cody, honestly I watched so many movies about zone system, I can say that your post described it the best.

Thank you, this was really really well made, amigo. Congrats and keep on!

Best clarified explanation of the Zone System, Thanks

This video was so good. You the man!

Thanks for a great video - the only one I've seen that actually shows HOW to USE the zone system!

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

One of the best videos I have seen explain manual metering. Thank you for putting this out there.

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!

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.

Best explanation of metering zones I have seen and really well delivered. Thank you.

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.

Thank you for the great tutorial.......great video.❤

immensely helpful 🙏 thank you

Brilliantly explained

The best video I've seen so far to explain the zone system!!! ( Now one could explain how the development affects the film, because in the end the time and also the temperature play a role. and of course the movement of the film in the can or the tank.)

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

This is really well explained video about metering…. Thank you very much

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

This was an incredible explaining

I appreciate that you actually took us through the process of metering using the zone system, this is way more helpful than just reading about it. Thanks!