Photographics 10, Photography 20, 30 and Graphic Arts 20, 30

Module 13: Artificial Lighting - Electronic Flash (Core)

Suggested time: 5-10 hours
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: Module 2

Foundational Objectives

To develop skills related to the use of photographic equipment.
To practise good photographic techniques.

Common Essential Learnings Foundational Objectives

To explain the operation of a synchronic electronic flash. (COM)
To develop students' abilities to access and apply knowledge in the use of photography equipment. (CCT)

Learning Objectives	Notes
13.1 To describe different methods of providing enriched lighting for photographs. (COM)	Have the students develop methods of providing additional light to subjects using a variety of reflectors.
13.2 To explain how an electronic flash attachment operates (COM, TL)	A simple explanation of the need for synchronization of the shutter and the flash is adequate at this point. Using a shutter speed above the camera's synchronization capability will produce partially exposed negatives.
13.3 To differentiate operating characteristics for manual, automatic and dedicated flash attachments.	Students can make simple observations that could include: Manual flash: aperture is dependant on film speed guide numbers. Automatic flash: a light sensor built into the flash unit measures the amount of light reflected to the camera from the subject and adjusts the intensity and duration of the flash according to the aperture that has been selected. Dedicated flash: automatically selects the appropriate shutter speed, aperture and duration of flash exposure. The required exposure information is collected electronically using the flash's sensor or the light metering system in the camera.
13.4 To produce images using an electronic flash unit. (TL)	The students can create a list of situations that would be enhanced through the use of a flash. Possibilities include: Direct flash on the subject Side lighting from one or more locations Bouncing the flash from the ceiling or other reflective surface Fill flash to enhance shadowed dark areas on the subject or subjects that are back-lit; for example, the sun is behind the subject.
13.5 To explore the use of electronic flash in high speed photography.	Harold Edgerton, inventor of the electronic flash, used it for scientific investigations. Stop action photographs and slow motion film or video of high speed events often use a repeating electronic flash or a strobe light. If a strobe light is available, students could experiment with multiple image photography.