Newbie flash question

[Webitect]

Why is it that sometimes when I use my 430ex, the pictures come dark but if I turn it off, the picture comes out ok?

[kazeeee]

not the other way round ah?

[GavinTing]

What settings are you using? P Mode? Tv? M?

Also, are you sure the Pilot light is on before taking the shot?

[Webitect]

I am using P mode, not familiar enough with the others (yet) to adjust and shoot on the fly. The pilot light was on when I first turned on the unit, not really sure if it stayed on while I was taking the shot...

I have examples on my flikr page (www.flickr.com/webitect). In the "Super Import Nights SG" set, the two porsches...Orange one; no flash, white one; tried to use my 430 EX...

I learned a lot today....
1) Using flash is harder than I thought
2) IS doesn't help when getting jostled and/or rushing for a shot...LOL
3) Shooting moving cars is more difficult than I imagined
4) I got so much to learn but it sure was FUN!

Any and all help is GREATLY appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[GavinTing]

That picture is not "dark"..

From What I can guess... I would say it's because ambient lighting was not the same in the 2 pictures.

Another thing is, in your orange car pic, the ISO was 800. White car pic was 400.

[jamomatt]

I have looked at both ur photos.

Both cars looked properly exposed so I believe you are referring to the background. For the photo without flash, your camera has picked a setting to expose both the subject and the surroundings and therefore, the background looks brighter. For your photo with flash, due to the size of the hall the light only falls on the subject and not the background. With your camera picking a faster shutter speed, not enough ambient light was taken in, resulting in the dark background.

EDIT: Just looked through the properties.
Orange car: ISO 800, f 4.5, shutter 1/25
White car: ISO 400, f 5, shutter 1/60
There's your answer.

[Webitect]

Thanks for all the info...and catching my typo..

I set the ISO to 800 after thinking my pics were kinda dark. Initially was thinking I could shoot at ISO 400 and have the flash gun "fix" the rest. I can now vaguely remember things that I've read regarding lighting and stuff now all I have to do is remember what I read...

Thanks for all the help! Please comment on my other errors, too. I'm sure "my girls" would appreciate better pics. LOL.

[Ah Pao]

Just a quick pointer for your portrait shots of your girls (daughters, I presume?): you used white cloth as the background, hence most of the shots were slightly underexposed. The white cloth probably fooled the camera's exposure meter and hence it dialed down the exposure, making your subject look dark. My tip is to:
- use spot/partial metering, or
- use exposure lock, or
- dial up your exposure compensation.

And for your initial query, the rest of the posters have more of less given you the answer. It's the background that's dark, not the subject. Try using a faster lens, dial up your ISO or use Av/Tv mode + flash and tripod for such situations. Flash is not a cure-all solution.

[Webitect]

Thanks for advice! Will work on improving in this area...

(and yeah they are my daughters)

[ProMushr00m]

Originally Posted by Webitect Why is it that sometimes when I use my 430ex, the pictures come dark but if I turn it off, the picture comes out ok?

Originally Posted by Webitect I am using P mode, not familiar enough with the others (yet) to adjust and shoot on the fly. The pilot light was on when I first turned on the unit, not really sure if it stayed on while I was taking the shot... I have examples on my flikr page (www.flickr.com/webitect). In the "Super Import Nights SG" set, the two porsches...Orange one; no flash, white one; tried to use my 430 EX... I learned a lot today.... 1) Using flash is harder than I thought 2) IS doesn't help when getting jostled and/or rushing for a shot...LOL 3) Shooting moving cars is more difficult than I imagined 4) I got so much to learn but it sure was FUN! Any and all help is GREATLY appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Ok Dude.. Here's the problem..

1) Most of the 400D have common problem. Under exposure problems with flash or without. When using P, try Exposure compensate 1/3 stop or 2/3 stop depending on your shooting conditions.

2) Oh yes. IS do not freeze movement. It stabilizes the image seen through the viewfinder. It helps a lot when you have shaky hands and rushing for time. Imagine your hand shake so much when you shooting event because you missed out some photos and was worried. =.=|||

3) Shoot Moving Cars? No problem man.. Try the panning method. http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Camera-panning

4) Good to learn a lot in a day. But don't overwork larh haha... try learning how to use Manual mode, if not, your shooting is so auto that you get restricted, and missing out shooting technique like panning and "slow shutter zoom out effect"(forgotten the term liao =.=) Remember, M is fun. Meddle around with it and you will know how to.. I tried and meddle until all my shots turn out to be black and i still shoot unknowingly(Shutter 1/4000 F3.5 during indoor) That time still dunno what is shutter.. haha..

Enjoy a wonderful Learning Experience! =)

[Webitect]

Thanks for the advice, support and the link!