Use this encyclopedia as you would any good encyclopedia or dictionary. Look for the subject

desired as it first occurs to you--most often you will locate it immediately. The shorter articles

begin with a dictionary-style definition, and the longer articles begin with a short paragraph

that summarizes the article that follows. Either of these should tell you if the information you

need is in the article. The longer articles are then broken down by series of headings and

sub-headings to aid further in locating specific information.

If you do not find the specific information you are seeking in the article first consulted,

use the cross references (within the article and at the end of it) to lead you to more informa-

tion. The cross references can lead you from a general article to the more detailed articles

into which the subject is divided. Cross references are printed in capital letters so that you

can easily recognize them.

Example: See also: ZONE SYSTEM.

If the initial article you turn to does not supply you with the information you seek, and

the cross references do not lead you to it, use the index in the last volume. The index contains

thousands of entries to help you identify and locate any subject you seek.

To further aid you in locating information, the articles throughout have been organized

into major photographic categories. Each category is represented by a symbol displayed on

the opposite page. By using only the symbols, you can scan each volume and locate all the

information under any of the general categories. Thus, if you wish to read all about lighting,

simply locate the lighting symbols and read the articles under them.

Most of the longer articles are followed by reading lists citing useful sources for further

information. Should you require additional sources, check the cross-referenced articles for

"additional reading lists.

Both the U.S. Customary System of measurement and the International System (SI) are

used throughout this encyclopedia. In most cases, the metric measurement is given first with

the U.S. customary equivalent following in parenthesis. When equivalent measurements are

given, they will be rounded off to the nearest whole unit or a tenth of a unit, unless precise

measurement is important. When a measurement is considered a "standard," equivalents will

not be given. For example: 35 mm film, 200 mm lens, 4" X 5" negative, and 8" X 10" prints

will not be given with their customary or metric equivalents.