Help with Canon 580RX flash.

[s_erez]

Hi,
I received a new Canon 580EX flash today as a present from my wife (don't ask me how she know what to buy).
I am new to accessory flash photography (or any flash for that case), until today all I did was pop out the flash and let it work which gave a very poor result so I didn't use it much.
I understand all of the features of the new flash and how to set them up, but I am not entirely sure on when to use what?
I am looking for some best known methods or tutorials on how to use this flash.
Any idea where I can find something like this?
Thanks,
Erez.

[liza]

The manual that came with it was helpful to me. :)

[Curtis N]

Erez, welcome to POTN, and the exciting world of flash photography.

It sounds like your questions have more to do with "how to light this shot" rather than "how to use this device".

I recommend taking a look at the tutorials in the sticky thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138907) for starters, as well as "Techniques for Better Off-Camera Flash" (link in my signature).

Learning basic lighting principles will help you decide how best to light your shots in various situations.