Mastering the EL Zone: Illuminating Insights with Ed Lachman and AbelCine

Cinematography Salon joined forces with AbelCine to present a very special in-person Master Class on EL Zone, led by the creator himself, Ed Lachman, ASC. The day was charged with a blend of anticipation and curiosity as attendees gathered to delve into the nuances of the EL Zone exposure system, which has been making strides in the industry for its innovative approach in displaying exposure values using stops.

As Ed unfolded the layers of EL Zone, he shared the genesis of this system, stemming from his quest for a more precise exposure tool that harmonizes with Stop Values on lenses and light meters. The simplicity and effectiveness of EL Zone, which now finds its application in an array of production tools like Panasonic VariCam LT and 35, SmallHD PageOS 5, and Colourlab Ai, highlighted its growing significance in modern cinematography.

Through the course of the Master Class, Ed provided practical examples and illustrated the method’s essence for the contemporary filmmaker, also sharing his experience on exposing for monochromatic sensors through his upcoming Netflix feature, El Conde, filmed on ALEXA Mini LF Monochrome.

The demand for this Master Class was testament to the value it held, leading to the addition of a second session on the same day to accommodate the eager cinematographers on the waiting list. The day culminated in a lively happy hour event, graciously hosted by AbelCine, providing a perfect setting for attendees to engage in meaningful discussions, reflect on the learned insights, and foster connections within the cinematography community.

As we look back at the event, the collaboration between Cinematography Salon and AbelCine not only facilitated a rich learning experience but also fostered a spirit of community and shared passion for cinematography. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to AbelCine for their generosity and collaboration, making this event a resounding success. The EL Zone Master Class left the attendees with a deeper understanding of exposure dynamics, and we are looking forward to more collaborative efforts to continue enriching the cinematographic community.