how to shoot using just a pop-up flash?

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by kwai_perez

hi! i need ur suggestions on this..i had a hard tym figuring this out..at night, it's really impossible to shoot a very clear portrait without a flash unless you have a tripod with you. my prob with using a pop-up flash is the main subject is over-exposed while the background is under-exposed.. it's like the flash just hit the main subject causing the picture to be really bad. that's why i tried using a diy flash diffuser..it helped but not so much..it just fixed the over-exposed subject..but the background is still under-exposed..what i want is for the flash to be distributed equally..i really need your help..tnx!!

If you shoot at a party or wedding reception, indoors at night using the auto or programme flash setting, which is usually either 1/250 or 1/500 second, you will end up with ultra black backgrounds, and not the scene you saw. That is because the flash fired too fast to record background detail. Solution: set camera to shutter priority or manual mode, and adjust speed to between 1/30 and 1/8 second-these are normal settings for fairly dark conditions, because of the actual flash speed,. blur won’t be a problem. This is Known as “Dragging the shutter”.
When using Dragging method keep flash set to auto or ttl, as, unless you are comfortable with doing this , you could complicate matters. If you only have a point and shoot camera, use the night setting-the camera will automatically set shutter speed to allow background detail to be captured, BUT, you will need a tripod/monopod etc, as for night mode shutter speeds are likely to be a lot slower than 1/8second.

Or use second curtain flash setting, where ambient light is exposed for,with flash firing a end of exposure lighting subject. regards, ken

[kwai_perez]

i'm so happy!thanks for your expert advice!!helped me a lot!thanks!!!i tried slow sync flash..it's really better than before!!but wait..i tried it with the subject and background steady..how bout during action?like sports or in a disco bar where people are dancing..or in a concert where the guitarist is strumming his guitar..will it get blur when i use the slow sync?thanks again!!!!

[DogHeadGod]

These are the kind of shots you get with rear sync and sports.
http://www.liquidinplastic.com/wp-co.../03/bike63.jpg
http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d7...3_pics_s02.jpg

[Chip]

For moving subjects, rear synch can be quite good. There will almost certainly be some blur . . but blur can be good when it's done on purpose.

[cappy1927]

What is a film canister? I might sound stupid but i have not seen a film canister in years and then they were not suited for a diffuser. Am I missing something or in today's terinology is it something other than a small case for film?

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by cappy1927

What is a film canister? I might sound stupid but i have not seen a film canister in years and then they were not suited for a diffuser. Am I missing something or in today's terinology is it something other than a small case for film?

Photojojo » Reduce, Reuse, Diffuse: Make Your Own Flash Diffuser from an Old Film Container

All you have to do is get some nice fuji film and you have one. You can some times ask a photo developer if they have any behind the desk.. They keep them and recycle them.

[kalendae]

i don't think anyone has mentioned bouncing your flash. you can bounce ur on camera flash by putting a white piece of paper in front of it at 45degree angle to make it go to the ceiling. for this to work, you will need to dial ur flash compensation to the maximum, and turn up ur aperture and iso to as high as u can take it. then the light might be enough. in that case you will get very even lighting just as if u were bouncing an external flash. (principle is same, just on camera flash is so weak,after bouncing it u really need to compensate for the low output)