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Step 1
Find out if your Polaroid camera has an automatic flash, or whether you have to turn the flash on manually. If your model has an automatic flash that cannot be disabled, the flash will go off every time you take a picture, regardless of light conditions.
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Step 2
Request information on your camera model from the manufacturer if you bought the camera secondhand and aren't sure if the flash is built-in or not. You can purchase a replacement owner's manual directly from Polaroid by contacting their customer service department.
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Step 3
Know when to use (and when not to use) your flash. The flash is designed to flood fast light on subjects being photographed in dark conditions. However, this can lead to overexposure in situations where there is enough light to illuminate the picture but the flash is brighter than the available light.
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Step 4
Use your flash manually. This will differ slightly depending on the specific make and model of your Polaroid camera. Some older models can be outfitted with new, light-sensitive electronic components that sense when light is low and trigger the flash under those conditions.
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Step 5
Take test pictures of a subject under identical lighting conditions, one of which uses a flash and another which does not. Compare the pictures, taking note of the differences in the lighting qualities in each. Repeat under varying lighting conditions (both lighter and darker) until you have a good working idea of when the flash is needed and when it isn't.
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Step 6
Use the flash in any situation when you're in doubt about whether or not you have enough light. You can compensate for low light by increasing your exposure time, but the camera must remain completely still if you opt not to use the flash in dim conditions.
