I do not understand lighting!

[travelinswede]

I am trying so hard to understand lighting but I just don't get it! Natural light, outdoors, shadows... I'm fine. But give me low lighting and I fall apart. I start firing off my flash like an idiot in hopes of getting any kind of image that isn't a blurred mess!

Today I used my Nikon D40 with two standing umbrellas inside the lobby of a gorgeous theater. The first photo is with flash and the second is without. So all my pictures are either completely blown out with awful shadows or orange and blurred.
I usually have it set on Aperture priority and try to stand as still as possible.

And yes, it's the horrible flash that comes on the camera. Do I need to buy an external flash? Would the results be different?

Flash


No Flash

[inkista]

Forgive my asking, but how are you using two standing umbrellas if you have no external flashes?

[travelinswede]

I had them set up to add extra light to the room- about 10 feet away from the models. Basically acting as extra lamps, I guess.

I freely admit that I'm still learning and don't know what I'm doing!! But if you have any recommendations for good reading to learn more, I am open to any suggestions!

[inkista]

Oooooo-kay. I'm obviously not getting it. To me, an umbrella is a modifier you put in front of a flash--not something you use without one.



The site you probably want for learning to use an external flash unit on the camera hotshoe is Neil van Niekerk's Tangents.

The site you probably want to learn about umbrellas, stands, and off-camera lighting with external flashes is the Strobist.

[sk66]

If you were trying to use the umbrellas as reflectors, the shape is all wrong and there isn't enough light for them to be effective.