Ansel Adams, the renowned photographer known for the black and white images he took, used a technique he called "the Zone". His technique was to carefully study a scene, visualize the final print, then determine the correspondence between portions of the scene and tones in the print. His basic rule #1 was "Expose for the shadows; develop for the highlights."
Fly fishing also has a zone. In fact with a few slight modifications one could follow Ansel Adams technique and apply it towards ones fishing. Study the River, Visualize the environs where trout are likely to hold, determine the proper correspondence between the angler and the target. As a very basic rule, cast into the shadows and hope for some highlights.
Fishing was good Memorial weekend. After completing a lengthy wade one morning I waited atop a rise under the shade of an ancient cedar just off the bank of the South Branch for my fishing companion to join me. Having my camera handy, and feeling somewhat inspired, in the Zone and rather Ansel Adams-ish I snapped some pics which I present here.
