Indoors & Low-Light Problems

[G-Wiz]

Hi All,

I'd be considered a newbie photographer reading a lot of material on the subject. Have had a G1 for a few years (yes - it died and came back to life).

I can't seem to get good indoor pictures with flash - all the colors get washed out. I've tried adjusting the flash sensitivity - but this does not seem to help much. Should I buy an external flash - 550EX? Would I get better pictures with bounced flash?

I have also tried turning on ambient light - overhead fixtures etc. The problem is I have to set the exposure too long to take pictures of a 2-year old who (understandibly) does not sit still. The pictures come out with the right colors and light - but very blurry.

Any advice for a novice?

Thanks.

[IainB]

Hopefully you can find a thread on this forum which covers the question of an external flash. As a result of user opinion here, I bought the 420ex Canon. The glowing reports you can read for yourself, but I can only add to them and say that it has made a world of difference to the photos I take. There's no contest as far as I'm concerned. Forget the built-in flash and go for external. The 550ex would be no doubt more powerful - others may be able to coment.
On the matter of bounce, a link was provided to a user's webpage. He demonstrated the angled 420ex with a small (6cm x 8cm approx) white card fixed to the top back of the flash head. He trialled various bounce angles, settling on about 60 deg. The white card directs some of the light forward. I use this method exclusively, using velcro to fix the card when in use. Have a look for the link on this forum. If it's in my favourites, I'll post it.
Anyhow, read what others think.

[IainB]

http://www.toddwalker.net/pro90/flashtest/index.htm
This is the link I referred to.
Also, type in 420 in the search box for the G1 board for comments.