About Camera Flashes
Anyone who has ever used a camera knows that the majority of cameras come equipped with a flash device of some sort. Flashes are essential in taking photos indoors or in areas where lighting is poor. The function of a camera flash is rather simple and there are various types of flashes, ranging from those that are built into the camera, to those that attach to the camera separately. Either way, camera flashes have come a long way, since they were first invented.
History
The flash bulbs of today descended from flashes that were made up primarily of magnesium flash powder. Back in those days, the powder had to be ignited by hand, which caused a flash, right as the photo was being taken. As time progressed, flash bulbs were developed. These bulbs contained filaments made up of magnesium. The magnesium was ignited much like the flashes of yesteryear, when a contact in the camera shutter touched the filament. These bulbs were single-use, and became extremely hot once the magnesium was ignited. The fact that the magnesium was contained in a bulb, turned out to be a great advance in the history of the flash.
Milestones
Kodak took great strides in the 1960s, when the improved the technology of their Instamatic camera's flashbulb. They invented what is known as the flashcube. This cube was made up of four flashbulbs that were electrically fired. They also had a reflector that was integral in the cube-shaped bulb, that allowed the photographer to take four consecutive photos. A fresh bulb would be ready to go when the cube rotated after a photo was taken.
Later on, the Flipflash hit the market. This bar-type flash came equipped with 10 bulbs in one unit. This made taking instant photos much easier, as the photographer could take 10 pictures before he had to replace the bulb unit.
The flash units of today are usually the electronic xenon flash variety. With this type of flash, xenon gas is contained in a tube. When the high voltage of electricity meets the gas, a flash of light is emitted during what is known as an electrical arc. This process produces the modern flash.
Function
If there is not enough ambient light in a room, the use of a flash is typically necessary. An object can be illuminated when a fill flash, or a flash that is low powered, is added to the room's or area's ambient light. If the photographer is in a room that has a white ceiling or wall, he might want to point the flash upward or sideways. By doing this, the wall or ceiling acts as an umbrella for the flash, and will reflect light on to whatever he is photographing.
Warning
Though very convenient, built-in flash systems can sometimes has a low flash intensity. This means that the flash cannot provide enough light to take a good photo at distances of over 10 feet. When this happens, grainy photos will result. Most manufacturers will include a recommended distance at which to take photos. It's important to heed these recommendations to produce quality photos.
Benefits
Having a built-in flash can make life much easier when taking photos. However, the flashes that attach to the top of a camera function in much the same way as the built-in flashes, so those types are also beneficial to use. Either way, long gone are the days of having to change out flash cubes or flash bars once they ran out. Not having to change them also reduces expenses because you do not constantly have to buy new flash bulbs for your camera.
Tags: flash bulbs, ambient light, attach camera, built-in flash, bulbs were, Camera Flashes
