Flash Problem's Help!

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raythefab

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My problem is I cant get my head around flash photography,sometimes when indoors and it,s very dark, my flash wont go off but my camera gives a slow shutter speed and I get a good bright photo, other times my flash will go off and all I get is a white photo, any easy steps I can take to grasp flash photography,ive got the canon 430, do I use auto or manual, or do I do what I nearly did last night and throw it in the bin…Ray
 
Ray - you're obviously using your camera on Full Auto. In this mode your DSLR uses flash just the same as a point and shoot compact. Once the light level drops below levels where you can get a safe hand holdable shutter speed the flash will pop up automatically and the flash will fire to give you a minimum safe shutter speed - probably 1/60th second... whether you actually want it or not.

If you use, Manual AV, or TV modes, the flash will only fire if you physically press the button to pop it up - the choice is yours.

I'd suggest you try AV mode and you'll probably find that little flash does surprisingly well as long as you keep within a reasonable distance.

It's a mammoth job mate to explain the various uses of a modern dedicated flash, but try what I've suggested for starters. :)
 
i never use auto ct i mostly use av,and im using the canon 430ex speedlite, but im obviously doing something wrong...Ray
 
one of the custom functions sets the shutter to 1/200 whenever it detects a flashgun, built in or on the hot shoe
I found that's the way to go

hth
 
Duh... right! :lol:

Make sure the camera is on AV and the flash is set on ETTL.

As long as the flash is turned ON it should fire regardless of whether you're using the max flash sync speed or a very slow shutter speed.
 
Hmmm if the batteries are fully charged and the flash isn't firing it could be a bad connection, but unlikely I'd have thought.

Try this...

Meter for the available room llight and set the exposure for whatever it is - probably around 1/15th or less with the lens wide open - use a tripod or other support obviously.

Not only should the flash fire in ETTL mode it should adjust it's output so you get a nice blend of ambient light and flash in your shot.

There's no standard way really Ray - it depends what you want to do.

Just check it's on full power and not on 2nd curtain sync too.
 
Thank you to all who gave me advice, ive printed it all off now im going to practice i appreciate your time thank's ...Ray
 
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