From onboard flash to hot shoe external

[rockycmt]

I just got a SB 900 flash for my D90 camera. I am looking to step up my indoor shots. I am shooting with a D90 and 18-200 and SB900. I was shooting a nieces christening. While I was shooting the church I was using the SB900 with TTL and in A mode. My shots were not what I expected. They (subjects and background) looked a bit dark. I kept playing with my camera and flash exposure and was getting more and more discouraged with the results. Well my batts died in the SB900 and i popped up the on-board flash. The shots looked great. I was not expecting this at all. I thought the External flash would blow away the onboard. Obviously, i am doing something wrong with the SB900. Any tips?

My shots were typically 10 - 30 feet away from the subjects.

 

[Mike_E]

Welcome to the forum. It'll come, but like everything it takes some work.

Go here and read everything there.. http://neilvn.com/tangents/

 

[Big Mike]

I just got a SB 900 flash for my D90 camera. I am looking to step up my indoor shots. I am shooting with a D90 and 18-200 and SB900. I was shooting a nieces christening. While I was shooting the church I was using the SB900 with TTL and in A mode. My shots were not what I expected. They (subjects and background) looked a bit dark. I kept playing with my camera and flash exposure and was getting more and more discouraged with the results. Well my batts died in the SB900 and i popped up the on-board flash. The shots looked great. I was not expecting this at all. I thought the External flash would blow away the onboard. Obviously, i am doing something wrong with the SB900. Any tips?

My shots were typically 10 - 30 feet away from the subjects.

Can you show us some examples of both?

The best thing about external flashes (when used on camera) is that they can swivel and tilt...thus allowing you to bounce the flash. But of course, you have to be aware of what you are bouncing off of and if that will work or if it is hurting your images etc.

When shooting with TTL flash, I usually have the camera in Manual mode. The flash's power will be tied to the aperture & ISO, but you can use FEC to adjust the flash exposure. But you can use the shutter speed to control how much ambient exposure you get...and getting a good balance between the flash & ambient is the key to good flash photos.