Flash help needed.

[michaelb]

Alright guys, after seeing Shoey's portrait I realize that I really need to learn some manual flash skills. Indoors with my camera I'm like a fish out of water; 95% of my photos are taken outdoors.

What's the best way to learn how to shoot in manual mode with my 430 EX? My results shooting in Av and ETTL are quite poor with lots of blown highlights.

[drama]

I am finding a decent keeper rate with the camera\flash in manual mode
, bouncing is very useful & gives very good results

I cheat now a days by trying a few shots with the flash for the setting before bringing in the subjects, works pretty well

[JTL]

Well Michael...

Here are some good reading materials to start with and mine for ideas...

I've used some of this guy's ideas and they've worked amazingly well. Very eye-opening stuff and practical examples:

http://planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/

And of course, from a technical standpoint, there's this. Because it all really begins by knowing everything there is to know about your gear:

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/

And then there is Strobist, where flash photography is discussed and dissected ad nauseum:

http://strobist.blogspot.com/

I suggest pulling down some ideas, setting up some practice sessions and then blowing us away with your results! :)

[michaelb]

That first link looks like it has a lot of practical tips; I'll have to read through it carefully.

Thanks JTL.