Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/15

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Subject: Re: [Leica] was Minority? now flash & RF's!!
From: Ted Grant <tedgrant@islandnet.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 15:47:20 -0800

Pete Su wrote:

>Well, like everything else, "rules" like this are meant to be broken.>>>>

Hi Pete,

I don't know that it's a "rule" not to use flash, but more of a
photographers' preference over another.

As you say:

">>>>>>I've seen film of a Leica photographer no less noted than David Alan
Harvey happily popping his little Vivitar flash on an M6 to balance the
light when taking shots inside on color film in Cuba...<<<<<<

Be that as it may, it's his work method and one cannot dispute the
reputation of one so talented. However, it doesn't make it right for me or
possibly others, as my method is far different. However, I maybe inclined
to use a teensy weensy flash fill with an R8, but even that is a difficulty
after so many years of working with existing available light..

Have I screwed-up any shooting by not having flash when I really should
have been using one? I cannot tell a lie! :)  Yes, once! And it cost me a
bundle to reshoot, including model costs etc.etc.  But then that's learning
and life. :)

>>>>>but using a small flash for fill is certainly something that you need
>>>>>to do if you shoot a lot of slide film inside.<<<<<<

Naw, you just use the right f stop and film and it's a piece of cake! :)
Sorry, that sounds too simple.  I should clarify and say, "if the
assignment allows for "existing available light use and the light level is
such that this method will work for a successful shoot!"  Then work that
way.

But if that's not the case, you better have mega watts of light to control
and not just a little twinky light for fill. IMHO.

ted



Ted Grant
This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler.
http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant