FLASH IN STEREO I09cited similar to that observed in animals’ eyes when illuminated
by a light almost in line with the eyes of the observer. One thing
is certain, the effect does come as a result of too close alignment
of flash and lens and it may be cured by moving the flash to one
side. Occasionally there is a pink eye found in color shots made
with the side mounted flash, if the bracket is close to the camera,
but you will not discover it in extension flash shots.
As the effect amounts to a grave distortion of color value, it
naturally spoils the picture. For that reason alone the use of ex-
tension flash is to be recommended.
Kalart has introduced a gun which is a compromise between
the “anti-pink-eye” and the bulky extension. It is a gun of con-
ventional appearance, but the bottom of the battery case is fitted
with a shoe which slides into the Realist stirrup. All you do is
to slip the shoe into the stirrup and the gun is ready for use. The
bulb is raised several inches above the usual position and cuts
down the number of pink-eyes.
Staring Eyes.-You have all seen the flash shots in which every-
one seems to have his eyes popping out of his head. You are also
no doubt aware of the explanation that the bright flare of the
flash causes it. However you might stop to consider that the flash
is over and a thing of the past before any muscular reaction can
take place in the human body. No, this pop-eyed expression is one
normal to everyone when in the dark! The flash is so quick that it
only catches the expressions which are normal to darkness. Moral:
Do not turn out the room lights before making a flash shot.
THE COLOR FACTOR.-NOW we come to one of the most hotly
discussed factors in all flash work. This has to do with the color
effect of the flash. Some use daylight film with no filter, some use
daylight film with the incandescent filter, some use A film with
the daylight compensator, some use A film without filter. What is
correct?
The correct procedure depends upon circumstances. First of all
there is the color temperature of the flash. This varies with differ-
ent types of bulbs, and of course electronic flash is still different.
The F bulb is about 33ooK (Photoflood=3400; HP tungsten=
3200). The M bulbs run about 38ooK. On the contrary, the
electronic flash is more blue than “normal” daylight and from
our tests seems to run close to 6800 to 7oooK.