FLASH IN STEREO 113Flash is and can be combined with daylight to very good ad-
vantage, and while some experience is necessary to obtain the
best results, the beginner with daylight flash will obtain better
shots with flash than he would without it.
FLASH CoLoR.-One problem which may or may not give you
trouble is that of the color of the light. Flash usually has a color
which is definitely red compared to daylight. If this color is
used as an auxiliary to daylight the effect is not unlike that of
using a red or pink spot for accent in a white flood light. This
point has been the subject of much bitter argument, but it is
a fact that the warm flash can be mixed with the cold daylight
in many instances, but for this discussion we shall assume a match
is to be made.
If type A film is used without a filter, the effect will be very
blue, contrary to the red of the flash, the latter being almost
normal for the film. Therefore it is possible to use a “red” filter
to balance the two. Inasmuch as a red C3 is required to balance
the film to daylight and a el/, can be used with the flash, the
midpoint would be about a Ci.
This is a false balance! The balance which does occur is that
which depends upon simultaneous color contrast rather than an
orthochromatic reproduction. That is, where the daylight is pre-
dominant, the colors will be too blue. Where the flash is stronger,
red will be strongest, and true color will occur only in those
places where the lights fall upon a surface in equal intensity.
Thus this balance is one which can be used to the best advantage
only after a considerable experience, but then it can often be
used for some very spectacular effects.
The true balance lies in working under daylight conditions,
that is either with daylight film or type A with the full strength
compensator. The flash used is blue, either a blue flash filter or
blue bulbs. Here again the reflector filter forms the most satis-
factory practical compromise.
It may be added that if an electronic flash of sufficient power
(300 to 500 w/s) is available, it may be used with the daylight
combination but it is advisable to use the type A film with a
corrector one degree lighter than usual, because the electronic
flash is as blue as daylight and usually somewhat more, ranging
often over 7000 Kelvin.