Why does my flash make my pics blurry?

amandamartin · Jun 20, 2012

Ok, obviously I do know how to use the camera. What is with people on here? I swear, every since I have been posting here, I feel like nothing goes on around here except for a contest between who has the biggest balls. I get nothing but insulted. I have been doing this a long time, and am not an idiot. I have owned my own studio and business since 2005. I am just typically a natural light photographer. I do just fine with weddings, thank you.

Overread · Jun 20, 2012

As said above the use of flash should not result in blurry photos on its own. However in order to say what is wrong with your shots we need to see the photos and know the settings you used for them. Without that info we really can't suggest more than that you head back to the books and the basics and re-read and re-learn the basics of flash photography.

If you can take a series of photos now using the flash which can display the problem again (and if you still don't know the answer after reviewing them) then you can post them up - give us the shooting details (mode used, aperture, shutter speed, ISO) - then we can give you more direct feedback on what is exactly going on in the photos.

Mach0 · Jun 20, 2012

Mach0 said:
Well if you have an sb800, 900, 28, or 80dx, I'll take it and pay for shipping lol.

X2 lol

Robin Usagani · Jun 20, 2012

Probably because she shoots with aperture priority so it is setting the exposure to ambient.

Mach0 · Jun 20, 2012

Schwettylens said:
Probably because she shoots with aperture priority so it is setting the exposure to ambient.

Sometimes, I somehow move the switch and I can tell I made a mistake when that shutter drags. Shot wasted.... I FAIL

amandamartin · Jun 20, 2012

Basically, I just wanted to know if the weight of the god forsaken thing was causing extra camera shake and affecting it. My question was answered. Thanks for the advice to those of you who offered it in a polite way and didn't treat me like I am just one of those people with an over-priced camera (cause those people are my pet peeve, too).

Mach0 · Jun 20, 2012

amandamartin said:
Basically, I just wanted to know if the weight of the god forsaken thing was causing extra camera shake and affecting it. My question was answered. Thanks for the advice to those of you who offered it in a polite way and didn't treat me like I am just one of those people with an over-priced camera (cause those people are my pet peeve, too).

No. As was mentioned, if the shutter speed is too slow then your image can be blurry if hand held.

Overread · Jun 20, 2012

amandamartin said:
Basically, I just wanted to know if the weight of the god forsaken thing was causing extra camera shake and affecting it. My question was answered. Thanks for the advice to those of you who offered it in a polite way and didn't treat me like I am just one of those people with an over-priced camera (cause those people are my pet peeve, too).

For the average person the weight of a flash on the camera shouldn't cause increased shake from handholding, provided that the pose whilst holding is solid and using the typical lenses present in wedding photography or portrait work.

Again, however, if you want a solution to the problem you encountered well need more info - we can make guesses and suggestions, but it will all be rather random and hit and miss without examples or at least a run through of the method and settings you use to shoot with.

Robin Usagani · Jun 20, 2012

Sorry I sounded mean. My bad. It is just that it sounded like you blamed the equpment rather than asking how to use the flash.

amandamartin · Jun 20, 2012

Well, I wasn't really blaming the equipment, but I was curious that if it was causing shake, what could I do differently. Shutter. Duh. I knew that.

Bitter Jeweler · Jun 20, 2012

Tagged.

amandamartin · Jun 20, 2012

Bitter Jeweler said:
Tagged.

LOL. Huh?

Robin Usagani · Jun 20, 2012

the scenario is probably like this, the room was a little dark. You turn the flash on while you are on aperture priority. It is still metering the ambient without counting the flash. It is probably setting the shutter to a ridiculously low shutter speed to keep your exposure to +- 0. What you want is to use manual setting. Keep the shutter to around 1/60 - 1/200 depending on the lens you have. Adjust ISO and aperture accordingly. It is hard to explain. Either you get it, or you dont.