The point of this exercise is to acquaint you with the uses (and limitations) of a flash unit. Of course, you will need to borrow a flash unit to do the exercise.
Step 1
In an older Pentax K-1000, load a roll of ASA 100 film, 20 exposures. Set your camera at 1/60th second and set the dial on the flash to 50. Read off the correct f/stop setting for 100 ASA film and set the camera aperture at that setting. I’ll show you how to do this.
Step II
Go to the MLC basement hallway.Step III
Take about five images of someone without the difusion attachment.Step IV
Take another five exposures with the diffusion attachment. BE SURE to adjust the f/stop to allow for the attachment by opening up one stop.Step V
Remove the diffusion attachment, leave the aperture open the one extra stop you just used, and turn the flash head so that it is pointed up at an angle to bounce light off the white ceiling and onto your subject. Take five more images.Step VI
Finally, rotate the flash so that light bounces off a light wall and onto your subject. Take the final five images.
What have you just done?
You used a flash to take four sets of images under slightly different light.
What results should you see?
One of these sets of images should come out a little more pleasing and “natural.” One or more of the others may not look very attractive.
What is the general rule?
Soft, diffused light that comes close to filtered sunlight on a cloudy – bright day often is most attractive. Light that comes from above (like sunlight) often appears most natural.