In atom bomb test footage, why is the background just black most of the times?

Question

So, I’ve been watching alot of atomic bomb test footage from the 1950’s. And almost every single time the background is black, Is this because the cameras are shooting on black and white film?

In: Other

Answer 1

Filters are the answer, very dark filters to cut down the extreme brightness created by a nuclear blast, enough light gets in to see the blast but all other details aren’t bright enough to make it through.