Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

When using bellows, what must be calculated to account for light falloff?

1. ISO adjustment

2. Shutter speed

3. Additional exposure

4. White balance

The correct answer is: Additional exposure

When using bellows in photography, it's essential to consider the increased distance between the lens and the film or sensor that occurs during the extension. As the bellows are extended, it alters the effective aperture, which consequently affects the amount of light reaching the film or sensor. This phenomenon leads to light falloff, where less light diminishes the exposure. To compensate for this decrease in light, calculating additional exposure becomes necessary. This often involves extending the exposure time or increasing the aperture (if possible) to ensure that the image is properly exposed despite the reduced light. Understanding this adjustment is crucial for achieving a well-exposed image when using bellows, ensuring the photographer considers the impact of the extra extension on exposure settings.