B&W with a flash

[Frank Petronio]

Of course he could use a location with open shade and avoid the ugly fill flash look all together, which is what I'd want from a large format Zone System kind of portrait. If I wanted a flash going off in my face I'd just get some yahoo with a digital camera to spray and pray.....

Just saying... they probably want you to shoot their portrait because you're a fine B&W large- and medium-format film photographer. If you have limited experience with flash, why mess things up? Stick to with your competence and strengths - save the experiments for Guinea Pigs.

[tlitody]

I'd suggest getting rid of the flash too, and get yourself a big white reflector and someone or something to hold and point it. That way you can see if you got rid of the harsh shadows and adjust to taste before you trip the shutter. And you'll be sure you got the shot before developing it. And it'll save you film in bracketing and the time and money that takes. Only use fill flash if you really have to.

[coops]

Thanks for the advice. Think I will go the reflector route for now.

[tlitody]

Thanks for the advice. Think I will go the reflector route for now.

have a look at the uplight reflector or one of the big plain ones

http://www.lastolite.com/reflectors.php

[Randy]

...meter the scene, and set the lens exposure for an aperture one stop larger, with the appropriate shutter speed.

The automatic flash will provide an exposure of the scene one stop less bright than the ambient lighting, which will fill shadows but only slightly add to the exposure of the highlights. Your black and white film will handle that easily.

Why didn't I think of that? I just can't seem to get out of this box

[lawrencebrussel]

Nice tips. Need to try some of it.