Many of us lucky enough to have been B&W photographers during the heyday of Zone VI are probably familiar with this special company and the man who started it, Fred Picker.
Fred Picker did as much as anyone to champion B&W and large format photography during the 1970s – 1990s, helping to usher in, and sustain, something of a Golden Age for both B&W and big cameras. He also instilled in many an appreciation for slow photography and careful B&W printing. His video series, especially Printing with Fred Picker, remain essential additions to the knowledge base of serious B&W workers. Many items he sold are still available from Calumet to this day; other discontinued items are hot sellers on ebay.
Picker, notably, demystified the Zone System, making this expressive tool accessible to many more photographers. He had his detractors, and some of his products and teachings stirred controversy, but Picker was clearly devoted to his field and pursued it with passion and energy.
Geeky deatils
Fred Picker and Zone VI a Golden Age of black-and-white photography
http://www.bwphotopro.com/Site/Picker_%26_Zone_VI.html
http://jbhphoto.com/blog/index.php/tag/fine-art-photography/page/4/
If you can’t sleep at night, like headaches
Understanding Using Ansel Adam’s Zone System
http://photo.tutsplus.com/tutorials/shooting/understanding-using-ansel-adams-zone-system/
Film Testing to determine you Personal Film Speed (a waist of time for me)
Zone system film speed test
http://www.jerryo.com/formula/z_speedtest.html
A Workshop Story
Fred Picker’s Zone VI Workshop TeeJaw Blog
http://teejaw.com/fred-pickers-zone-vi-workshop/
Another Story
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF FRED PICKER? | jbhphoto.com Blog
http://jbhphoto.com/blog/index.php/2009/01/29/have-you-ever-heard-of-fred-picker/