To flash or not to flash.

[Renboy]

Ok still not sure. Is it better to shoot with a slow shutter and have a bit of a soft image. (no tripod yet.) or with the flash and have hard light?

[fi20100]

Two completely different shots and looks :) It's up to the photographer. A possibility is also to open up the lens a little bit more to get a bit more ambient light, and then use the flash just to fill the object :)

[Renboy]

Sorry to sound stupid but when you say open up the lens a bit more you mean go to a lower aperture number?

[Jim G]

That's what people mean by that generally, yeah - the more open a lens is the lower the f/number is, so f/2.8 is more open than f/4 or f/8. Not a stupid question :)

I'd like to see a naturally lit shot done like the first one - interesting monument, what's it for?

[MattyB]

I Agree with Jim, open up the lens so you can try and have the same level of light throughout the entire image (not 'flash = exposed - ambeit = a little under') and just use the lens to fill in the gaps.

[buttercup]

I see you were at the Waterfront! Although I am also an amateur, perhaps it would have been better if you didn't have the wooden pole in the background (first photo)?

[Renboy]

Yea at the waterfront. I asked the pole to move but it wouldn't.

[buttercup]

Those darn poles...

[Reefbone]

Hard to tell whats going on since the EXIF info has been stripped. What mode were you shooting in? This is a good situation to go manual. You can get some ambiant t light in the backgound but stilll use the flash on ETTL to light the subject. I higher ISO obviously helps stop the action here too. The second photo looks like it was shot in Aperature priority which in a low light situation doesn't work so great. The shutter time is too long as it's trying to expose the darker background.

[maryon]

Interesting pics, I prefer the first one!!

I was going to ask where that was taken!! I have not seen that monument at the Waterfront!! Shows you when last I was there!!