Overview
The EL Zone exposure system, designed by famed cinematographer Ed Lachman, ASC, is an innovative tool for displaying exposure values using stops. EL Zone allows for higher precision, greater consistency, and more intuitive on set communication – and is rapidly becoming an essential addition to any cinematographer’s toolkit.
Ed explains, “I found false color and waveform monitors much too general. They are based on IRE values, which track percentages in voltage, aren’t consistent with Stop Values on lenses or light meters, and are not the same from one manufacturer to another.
“So, I devised a system based on 18% gray, a universal standard for photography. Your camera can be your lightmeter, or use an external lightmeter. They will be consistent with each other. You can also use an EL Zone framegrab of a scene to precisely match exposure and lighting at a later date for pickup shots or dreaded reshoots.” 1
This intuitive exposure system has now been incorporated into familiar production tools (with more in development), from Panasonic VariCam LT and 35, SmallHD PageOS 5, and Colourlab Ai to name a few.
Join us as for a very special in-person Master Class on EL Zone from the creator himself. In this session, Ed will illustrate practical examples, cite specific use cases, and why the method is so essential for the modern filmmaker.
In addition to discussing his exposure practices and techniques, Ed will also include a study on the differences when exposing for monochromatic sensors, as he shares his experience with his upcoming Netflix feature El Conde, filmed on ALEXA Mini LF Monochrome.
"Ed Lachman’s adaptation of Ansel Adam’s Zone System to the digital world is a game changer. For any disciple of photography, Ansel Adams’ stunning and iconic landscapes underscore the paramount need for precise exposure control in the creation of indelible images. EL Zone is a tremendous gift to all of us who have been endlessly frustrated by the imprecise nature of digital exposure. Thanks to Ed we finally have a tool that is much more accurate than false color, zebras, or waveforms. EL Zone brings back the direct relationship between lighting and lens stops that inform so much of image creation." Buddy Squires, ASC
"Thank you Ed for this truly helpful tool. This is such an improvement on the “False colors”, and if standardized through all the camera manufactures will be a awesome tool for the cinematographer. It [not only] gives you immediately the understanding of light-dark balance of your frame, but it is a great reference for any re-shoots or communication with your gaffer. For me as a cinematographer, [it is] a fun and useful tool, for me as a faculty of cinematography department at AFI, it is a great way to teach reflective reading and over- and under- exposure." Jacek Laskus, ASC, PSC
