How about a software "zone system" for colour images?

I've used the control allowing adjustment of high-mid-low tones in
images in PS and PSP and find it very useful in dealing with contrasty
images. I dislike histogram adjustments as they don't offer the kind
of control that the other adjustment does. But how about offering
a software add-on for PS that would allow adjustment of 10 gradations
of luminance in an image? It would afford huge control possibilities
and make it possible to improve images even more.
-Rich

 

Rich the nice thing about the Zone System is that if you really used it
it is a very flexible too. The bad thing about the zone system is that
it can hamper photographers taking pictures if you get really hung up
on calibration. Histograms take care of that, it is a graphic
representation of your exposure. It is a working tool. Like the Zone
System, expose a sheet of paper with 10 step of 1 fstop each, process
it in you RAW converter so zone 5 is neutral 18% gray and work from
there. Shouldn't be hard, and you don't have to deal with developer
irregularities. I have had several photographer friends who the zone
system kept them from taking pictures. One guy figured it took him a
week to calibrate his camera (a 4x5). I just keep thinking where does
that color lay on a series of 10 stops. One reason I dislike automatic
metering.

Tom