A method of operating a photographic camera to record data in correspondence with a picture frame includes activating a flash to provide illumination for exposing the picture frame onto a photographic film. Sensing is performed to determine if light generated by the flash is reflected from a subject in the picture frame. Data is recorded in association with the picture frame indicating if reflected light is sensed. In accordance with a method of operating a photographic printer to print a negative frame, the reflected flash illumination data associated with the negative frame is read. An appropriate exposure for the negative frame is selected based at least in part on the presence or absence of the sensed reflected flash illumination.