White flecks using SD700 IS with flash

[sd17]

I am new to digital photography, having just purchased my first digital camera, the Canon SD700 IS. I was very disappointed to see many white flecks in some pictures I took of water in a stream using flash with the camera in automatic mode. I assume that these white spots are tiny reflections from the water and water droplets on the vegetation. Is this a typical problem of digital flash photography? Is the camera defective? So far, I have had not had the problem using the flash indoors. Here are links to two sample images:

http://aycu04.webshots.com/image/6043/2000308472848222783_rs.jpg

http://aycu17.webshots.com/image/5136/2003198984708731614_rs.jpg

[CRE@TE]

Looks like the flash reflecting. I try to take most of my shots with the flash disabled.

[gardengirl13]

i don't think that's reflection, looks like a camera problem, you may want to return it and get a replacement camera.

[SpeedInfusion]

sunlight maybe?

[aacmckay]

Looks like the flash reflecting. I try to take most of my shots with the flash disabled.

I'd agree. The flash is reflecting off the water. The point where this happened is quite saturated, and that's why it's white.

[Action_Man]

You often get flash hitting dust particles in the air that have this effect ...

[MJ23FE]

Invest in a tri-pod, drop your ISO down to 80, and play with some longer shutter times. 0"3 or 0"6 might be good for that sort of shot.
The flash is the devil.

-Jalal

[sd17]

Thanks for all your ideas and suggestions. I do think that it is reflection from water bubbles and droplets--it had just rained and the trees and ground were wet too. I'll try out your suggestions.

[Moppie]

Is this a typical problem of digital flash photography? Is the camera defective? So far, I have had not had the problem using the flash indoors. Here are links to two sample images:



Its a problem with flash photography in general, regardless of the format. The closer the flash is to the lens, the worse the effect is.

[Jon]

Reflection of the flash off water droplets in the air and on the branches. The closer they are, the bigger they'll look. At least no-one tried to tell you they were ghosts of UFOs.

[fitzhugh]

Reflection of the flash off water droplets in the air and on the branches. The closer they are, the bigger they'll look. At least no-one tried to tell you they were ghosts of UFOs.

They aren't ghosts OF UFOs. I've had this problem myself... when I zoomed in I found they were really ghosts IN UFOs. Elvis's ghost, actually - many of them.

Or maybe I stared at my flash too much taking macro pictures of my eyes.

Actually, I have seen similar specks and was concerned since they seemed too large to be just dust, then I realized that that was just what they were: I was taking pictures of my dog and another romping on very dusty dirt at night. In the one case where the picture was worth keeping I just used the clone tool and removed them, but they were mostly horrible flash shots anyhow.

Might lowering the exposure to prevent them from being blown help? That's a guess - I don't know. Notice the overexposed white lines down the narrow tree trunks in a clump on the left and the way many of the white spots seem to be in a narrow vertical band, as if there is water dripping from a tree (along the second large trunk from the left, toward the right of the middle of the picture). I wouldn't know how to get that shot but I think it might be tricky: not great light, a bit of back lighting, but might only a little fill flash and/or slow syncro help? Take this with a grain of salt - I'm very much learning. One thing I have learned, though: take LOTS of pictures with a variety of settings when it is a shot you want, then learn from what works and what doesn't, including the specific pros and cons. The pictures are free, and often irreplaceable. At first I hesitated to fill my card or drain my batteries, then realized that was silly and bought extras of each as well as learning to preview and toss images I could tell weren't great. A lot of shots still look not-so-hot once they are downloaded, but at least I clear the worst of them out of the way as I go.

All that rambling aside, that is a neat setting: was that a flooded river?

[Jon]

The big ones are so bright because they're close to the camera. Underexposure won't help.

[strmrdr]

Reflection of the flash off water droplets in the air and on the branches. The closer they are, the bigger they'll look. At least no-one tried to tell you they were ghosts of UFOs.

You mean this isnt a ufo?