Above is a cropped version of photo NH69726 (full sized version can be seen here). There is a strong likelihood that this is a frame taken from the battle film shot on 24 May 1941. The common description of this photo is that it shows Bismarck aft and to starboard of Prinz Eugen, firing on Prince of Wales. In our opinion, this description is clearly correct.
This image cannot, as some have suggested, be reversed. This is simply because too much of the near side is illuminated for her to be firing from the opposite side. The fireball (actually illuminated smoke) is also clearly masking the ship's hull- if it were on the opposite side the hull would be silhouetted. Furthermore, the reflected light (on the superstructure, secondary guns, funnel, etc.) is also not correct for a salvo fired from/towards the opposite side.
Clearly Bismarck is firing from the side facing us - she is firing well aft, but clearly on the near side. Since we know she only fired to port during the battle, this confirms that the photo is not reversed. If the photo isn't reversed then neither is the film. This is illustrated by the following series of film frames captures:
This photo as well as the one below are very likely part of the same salvo shown in NH69726. You can clearly see that the ENTIRE NEAR SIDE of Bismarck is illuminated. This is not due to overexposure, this is reflected light. This proves that she is firing from the side facing Prinz Eugen. Since the only shadows are at the front, it indicates that the light source is near the aft end of Bismarck (her aft turrets firing) and that she is aft of Prinz Eugen.
Below is a sequence of two photos showing a 15cm secondary salvo also being fired from the near side. In the upper image you can see the physical fireball, and in the second image, the small puffs of smoke which followed. Again, these items are clearly on the near side of the ship.
