Flash Photography Help

[Lance Nelson]

So the other night at a new years party I brought my camera and flash because I knew it was going to be pretty dark in the basement where it was hosted. I got a few shots I like from the night, but for the most part the subjects looked pretty soft I think...

I'm wondering what I could do differently to make images like this a lot sharper... Here are a few examples from the party, if you have any helpful hints it'd be greatly appreciated if you shared!


This one looks soft to me, I feel like the somewhat open aperture killed this picture?

Exposure: 0.05 sec (1/20)
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 22 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0/2 EV
Flash: Flash fired



Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0/2 EV
Flash: Flash fired

This one is with f/8, did the extra 1.7 give this picture a sharper quality?

I'm sort of new to this flash still, even though I bought it back in August. I usually put the flash on automatic because I haven't had time to learn it. But now I want to start manually programming it, which is what I did that night. Am I getting the exposure correct for the most part?

Sorry to throw so much out here, I really should have structured this better... I just have a lot to say/ask tonight, haha...

-Lance

Ps: More pictures from the party are hosted on my Flickr (link in my signature) in case you want to take a closer look at what I'm talking about.

[jiminyClickit]

The 'Rules' for this Critique Forum
One photo at a time, please. Have you looked at Other Digital Photography Techniques threads? That's more what you're asking about. There are discussions on flash, filters, etc., even Photographing People is better suited.